PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Banajev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikoli Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banajev comes to the cage accompanied by Arcana - Autumnal. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Banajev
vs
Popov

180 cm
20
218 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
214 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Future Pharmaceuticals (144 for $15)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Banajev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikoli Popov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banajev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Banajev lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Nikoli Popov has been cut.
Banajev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Popov checks it well.
Popov lands with a hook. Banajev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Banajev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Popov is out of range and Banajev settles back down.
Popov lands a body shot.
Banajev throws a jab but it's blocked by Popov.
Banajev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Banajev misses with a wild combination.
Banajev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Popov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Popov tries to clinch but Banajev is having none of it.
Banajev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Popov circles away quickly and effectively.
Popov lands a two punch combo.
Banajev throws a right hand that Popov ducks under and follows up with a left that Popov also avoids with ease.
Banajev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Popov counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov moves out of range of the strikes.
Banajev misses with a series of wild punches.
Popov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Banajev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Popov.
Banajev throws a combination that misses

and Popov counters by clinching up.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Banajev blocks with his arms.
Popov lands a nice knee to the body.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Banajev is trying to drag Popov to the mat but Popov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banajev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Banajev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov has Banajev pressed against the cage, preventing Banajev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Popov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banajev blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Popov tries a knee to the head but Banajev blocks it.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Banajev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Popov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Banajev blocks with his arms.
Popov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Banajev tries to circle away but Popov has him pinned against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Popov.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Banajev blocks with his arms.
Banajev wants a takedown but no success here.
Stalling in the clinch from Popov.
Popov gets underhooks to prevent Banajev's takedown attempt.
Banajev is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Banajev can't get the takedown.
Banajev is breathing heavily.
Banajev being controlled against the cage.
Banajev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Popov gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banajev can't get the takedown.
Popov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Popov misses with a punch on the inside.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Banajev is trying to force a seperation but Popov has the dominant position.
Banajev takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Popov.
Banajev is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Popov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Banajev takes a knee to the side of the body.

Banajev gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Banajev prevents Popov from getting back to his feet.
Popov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Popov has his feet on Banajev's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Banajev throws the left hand but Popov avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banajev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Popov.
Banajev misses with a combination
and Popov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Banajev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Popov counters with a nice body shot.
Popov slips a jab from Banajev.
Popov moves away from the strike by Banajev.
Popov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banajev misses with a double jab
and Popov counters with a one-two to the body.
A big left from Banajev misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikoli Popov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikoli Popov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Popov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Popov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Popov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Popov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Popov prevents the takedown attempt.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banajev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Banajev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Banajev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Popov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banajev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Banajev closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banajev tries to land a leg kick but Popov saw it coming and moves away.
Banajev lands a two punch combo.
Maxim Banajev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banajev looks to throw the jab but Popov is out of range.
Popov checks the leg kick.
Banajev throws a lazy right hand but Popov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maxim Banajev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banajev throws an overhand right that lands on Popov's shoulder, as Popov tries to avoid the shot.
Banajev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch.
Popov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Banajev.
Popov controlling the action here for a moment.
Banajev tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.
Banajev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Popov scores with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov gets underhooks to prevent Banajev's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Banajev looking for a takedown.
Popov scores a nice knee to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Popov is pushing Banajev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Popov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Popov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Popov scores with a knee to the head.

Banajev breaks the clinch.
A low kick from Banajev misses
and Popov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Popov ducks under a wild hook from Banajev.
Banajev is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Popov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Popov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice uppercut there from Banajev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Banajev misses with a straight left.
Popov doesn't manage to clinch there - Banajev circles away.
Banajev throws a left and a right that both miss

and Popov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Popov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Banajev has Popov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Banajev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Popov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Popov tries a knee to the head but Banajev blocks it.
Popov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Popov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banajev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Banajev is blocking nicely.
Popov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Banajev has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Banajev is trying to drag Popov to the mat but Popov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov lands a damaging elbow.
Popov with a knee to the head.
Popov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Popov throws an elbow but it misses.
Popov taking a breather.
Banajev is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Popov tries a knee to the head but Banajev blocks it.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Banajev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Popov tries to stall but Banajev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popov throws an elbow that misses.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Banajev is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Banajev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nikoli Popov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Banajev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banajev throws a shot from downtown. Popov moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Banajev misses.
A big left from Banajev misses.
Popov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Banajev to score with a decent uppercut.
Maxim Banajev is winning the standup battle so far.
Banajev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banajev misses with an uppercut.
Banajev keeps the fight on the outside.
Banajev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banajev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Popov moves out of range of the strikes.
Banajev misses with an uppercut. Popov saw that one coming.
Popov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Banajev.
Popov scores with a leg kick.
Banajev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banajev throws the left hand but Popov avoids the punch easily.
Popov tries to clinch but Banajev moves out of range.
Banajev misses with a straight right.
Banajev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Popov counters with a three punch combo that has Banajev backing up. Banajev nods at Popov to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Banajev throws a leg kick

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch.
Banajev takes an elbow to the temple.
Popov connects with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Popov throws an elbow but misses.
Popov misses with a knee strike.
Popov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Popov lands a nice elbow.
Popov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov misses with a knee to the head.
Popov looking to throw knees to the head but Banajev is blocking nicely.
Banajev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Popov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Banajev tries for a takedown but Popov manages to get underhooks.
Banajev is working for takedown but Popov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Popov tries to land a knee to the head but Banajev blocks with his arms.
Popov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Banajev's face.
Popov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Banajev has Popov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Banajev works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Banajev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Banajev pushes down on Popov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Banajev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Popov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Banajev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banajev misses with a head shot. Popov uses the momentum to regain guard.
Banajev connects with a couple of short punches.
Banajev works over Popov with some ground and pound from guard.
Popov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Banajev dives into side control.
Banajev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Banajev creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Banajev working the body and head with strikes.
Popov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Banajev throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Popov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov is not content to let Banajev control the position.
Banajev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Popov won't allow Banajev to pass to mount.
Well, if Banajev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Banajev stops Popov from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Banajev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Popov has hold of Banajev's hands but Banajev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Banajev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Banajev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Banajev!