PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Branko Popovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyquil Salazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popovic comes to the ring accompanied by None. Salazar is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Enter Sandman. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Popovic
vs
Salazar

193 cm
30
192 lbs
23 - 16 - 1

183 cm
27
193 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Branko Popovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nyquil Salazar!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popovic misses with a looping left.
Salazar with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A good leg kick by Salazar.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Salazar lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Popovic has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Popovic and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Popovic tries to move into range but Salazar moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Salazar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Salazar finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salazar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Salazar thows a body kick. Popovic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Salazar fails to land with a series of punches.
Popovic moves out of range as Salazar throws a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Salazar. Popovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salazar misses with a wild body shot.
Salazar takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar tries to clinch but Popovic moves out of range.

Salazar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Popovic blocks the elbow strike.
Popovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Popovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Salazar just misses with a elbow thrown towards Popovic's brow.
Salazar working Popovic over with knees to the body.
Salazar makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Popovic jumps guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Salazar trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Salazar throwing strikes but missing.
Popovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.
Popovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar tries to free his leg and advance position but Popovic is retaining full guard.
Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Salazar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Popovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.
Salazar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Salazar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Popovic keeping moving, preventing Salazar from controlling successfully.
Popovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salazar tries to free his leg and advance position but Popovic is retaining full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Salazar trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar scoring with punches to the head and body.
Salazar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Salazar trying to control but Popovic is working from the bottom.
Salazar tries to free his leg and advance position but Popovic is retaining full guard.
Salazar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Salazar thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Salazar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Salazar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Salazar throws an elbow that misses. Popovic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Salazar's guard. Nice move by Popovic!
Salazar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popovic wants to control from the top but Salazar keeps moving.
Salazar looking for a sweep. Not yet Salazar, not yet.
Salazar pulls Popovic in close to prevent any damage.

Salazar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Popovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Salazar working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Salazar wants to sweep but no luck.
Popovic chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyquil Salazar dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Salazar looks for the body kick but Popovic saw that one coming.
Popovic takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Popovic gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Salazar to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Nyquil Salazar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Salazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Salazar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Salazar landing with the ground and pound.
Popovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salazar throws a strike but Popovic rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Popovic wants to stand but Salazar has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salazar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Popovic is working Salazar over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Popovic stopping the sweep attempt from Salazar.

Salazar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Popovic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salazar is keeping the position for now.

Popovic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Popovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salazar has his foot on Popovic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Popovic works his way back into a safe position though.
Popovic landing with the ground and pound.
Salazar controls Popovic momentarily but Popovic frees himself.
Popovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Salazar is retaining full guard.
Popovic advances to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popovic throwing shots but Salazar is blocking nicely.

Popovic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Salazar is just riding it out for now. Popovic eventually gives up the hold.

Salazar actively working from the bottom here.
Salazar avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Popovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Salazar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Salazar doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Salazar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Salazar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Salazar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Salazar landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Popovic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Salazar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Popovic's head.
Salazar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Popovic's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Salazar lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salazar throwing strikes from guard but Popovic blocks nicely.
Salazar wants to control from the top but Popovic keeps moving.
Salazar throws a big right hand that misses.
Salazar is looking to work some ground and pound but Popovic has wrist control.
Popovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salazar is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salazar throwing strikes from guard but Popovic blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyquil Salazar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Salazar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Popovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Salazar moves into range and connects with a jab.
Popovic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Salazar on the side of the head.

Salazar moves into the clinch successfully.
Popovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Salazar keeps control of Popovic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salazar lands a right hand.
Popovic trying to land knees to the body.
Salazar utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salazar pushes Popovic back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salazar is looking to control Popovic's arms but Popovic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Salazar has his back to the ropes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salazar lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Popovic blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovic avoids the elbow strike from Salazar, against the ropes.
Popovic is trying to push Salazar away but Salazar has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
A shot in the inside from Salazar.
Popovic managing to block the knees to the body from Salazar.

Popovic breaks the clinch.
A combination from Salazar does no damage.
Popovic throws a big shot that misses.
Salazar misses with a few strikes there.
Popovic walks forward, straight into a front kick from Salazar.
Salazar lands with a shot to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Salazar finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Popovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Salazar.
Salazar misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An inside leg kick from Salazar misses.
Salazar tries to clinch up but Popovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Popovic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Salazar shoots in but Popovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Salazar lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Popovic moves out of range of the body kick from Salazar.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Salazar.
Nyquil Salazar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salazar misses with a wild body shot.
Salazar tries to clinch up but Popovic circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar darts in trying to clinch
and Popovic counters with a straight right hand.

Salazar clinches up against the ropes.
Popovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salazar's elbow.
Nyquil Salazar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Popovic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Salazar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Popovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Popovic turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Popovic is looking to take a break and control but Salazar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Salazar is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Branko Popovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Popovic working away.

Popovic is trying to get an arm triangle but Salazar is defending well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Salazar is looking to regain half guard here but Popovic keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salazar regains half guard.
Salazar is looking to control Popovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Salazar avoid being mounted?
Salazar keeping control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nyquil Salazar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salazar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nyquil Salazar!