PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jason Spezza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Tom Sawyer - Rush. 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.

Spezza
vs
Popov

178 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
164 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Spezza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikhail Popov!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spezza checks the leg kick nicely there.
Spezza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popov.
Spezza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Popov defending well as Spezza loads up on a big left hand.
Popov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Popov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spezza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Popov blocks the leg kick.
Popov staying out of range there.
Spezza takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Good shot there by Popov.
Spezza jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Spezza circles away quickly and effectively.
Spezza throws a wild body kick that Popov sees coming a mile off.
A swing and a miss from Spezza.
Popov connects with a leg kick. Spezza looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Popov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov slips under a jab from Spezza.
Spezza walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Popov misses with a body punch
enabling Spezza to counter with a crisp jab.
Spezza avoids the body shot from Popov.
Spezza throws a hook but Popov blocks it.
Popov swings for the body but Spezza moves out of range.
Spezza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Spezza takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Popov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Popov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Spezza avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Spezza fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Spezza circles away quickly and effectively.
Spezza misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov throws a big shot that misses.
Spezza looks to land a right hand but Popov moved out of range.
Popov takes a swing at Spezza's ribcage but misses.
Popov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Popov does no damage.
Mikhail Popov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spezza throws out the jab.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spezza.
Spezza cracks Popov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
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!
A big right from Spezza misses.
The fighters circling - Spezza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spezza moves away.
Popov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Popov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spezza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spezza throws a series of punches but Popov moves out of range.
Popov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Spezza rather than just go for the knockout.
Popov tries to land a leg kick but Spezza saw it coming and moves away.
Spezza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Spezza throws a jab but it's blocked by Popov.
Popov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Spezza throws the left hand but Popov avoids the punch easily.
Popov lands a jab to Spezza's midsection.
Popov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Popov connects with a body shot that sends Spezza's belly button to the back.
Popov fails to land with a series of punches.
Spezza throws a looping overhand right but Popov ducks down to avoid it.
Spezza works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Popov misses.
Popov throws a jab but it's blocked by Spezza.
Spezza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Popov.
Spezza cracks Popov with a good jab.
Nice jab there from Popov.
Popov misses with a double jab.
Spezza moves away from the strike by Popov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spezza looks to land a left hand but Popov moved out of range nicely.
Spezza is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Spezza keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Popov throws a combination that misses
letting Spezza counter with a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popov looks to score with a jab to the body but Spezza is just out of range.
Popov looks to land a combination but Spezza avoids it well.
Popov throws a series of punches but Spezza moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Popov. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mikhail Popov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Popov misses the shot to the body.
Popov throws a leg kick but Spezza moved away.
Mikhail Popov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popov checks a leg kick nicely.
Popov throws a series of punches but Spezza avoids them all with ease.
Popov scores with a jab. Spezza acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Popov slips under a jab from Spezza.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spezza, as that shot connected.
Popov scores with a sloppy right hand. Spezza should have avoided that one.
Popov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Popov misses with a body shot.
Popov throws a low kick but Spezza moves out of range easily.
Spezza throws a series of punches but Popov avoids them all with ease.
Mikhail Popov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popov defending well as Spezza loads up on a big left hand.
Popov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Popov throws a body punch but Spezza moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Spezza throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Spezza circles away quickly and effectively.
Spezza rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Popov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popov punishes Spezza's body with a nice straight punch.
Popov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spezza. Spezza circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spezza slips under a jab from Popov.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Spezza circles away quickly and effectively.
Popov throws an overhand right that lands on Spezza's shoulder, as Spezza tries to avoid the shot.
A big right from Spezza misses.
Spezza misses with a looping right.
Popov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Popov misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Popov. Spezza does a little dance to reset his feet.
Popov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Spezza counter with a right hand.
That kick from Popov tenderised Spezza's leg. Spezza is trying to keep his angry face on.
Popov moves out of range as Spezza strikes.
Popov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Popov lands a two punch combo.
Spezza scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov blocks a jab.
Spezza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Spezza throws a hook to the side of Popov's head but Popov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Popov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Spezza throws a big shot that misses.
Popov wants to slow Spezza down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov moves into range and connects with a jab.
A shot to the body from Popov misses
and Spezza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spezza takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Good work by Spezza as he checks the leg kick.
Spezza lands with a nice body punch.
Spezza takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Spezza throws out a powerful jab.
Popov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Popov throws a jab but it's blocked by Spezza.
Spezza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Spezza slips under a jab from Popov.
Popov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Popov throws a right and a left that Spezza avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov slips a straight right by Spezza.
Popov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spezza scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spezza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Popov is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Popov. Spezza does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spezza throws a jab when Popov was well out of range.
Popov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spezza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Popov throws out a loose jab but Spezza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Spezza.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spezza shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Popov eats them both and turns towards Spezza to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Spezza scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Popov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Popov misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jason Spezza will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Spezza jabs Popov right on the nose. Popov blinks but takes it well.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spezza moves away.
Popov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Spezza catches Popov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Popov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spezza.
Popov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Popov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spezza.
A swing and a miss from Popov.
Spezza takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Popov is looking to slow Spezza down with leg kicks.
Spezza looks to land a left hand but Popov moved out of range nicely.
Popov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spezza connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Spezza lands.

Popov is rocked!
Popov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Spezza throws a leg kick
enabling Popov to counter with a crisp jab.
Popov misses with a double jab.
Popov scores with a jab to the body.
Popov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spezza.
Popov connects with a body shot.
Popov ducks under a wild hook from Spezza.
Spezza throws a hook but Popov blocks it.
Popov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spezza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Popov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Spezza throws a shot from downtown. Popov moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spezza lunges at Popov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Popov's hand.
Popov defending well as Spezza loads up on a big left hand.
Spezza throws a looping overhand right but Popov ducks down to avoid it.
Spezza misses with a jab, cross combination.
Popov just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Popov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Popov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Popov misses with a hook to the body
and Spezza counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spezza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popov.
Spezza takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spezza was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spezza throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Popov on the side of the head.
Spezza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Spezza smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Popov scores with a body shot.
Popov wants to slow Spezza down by chopping away at his legs.
Spezza throws a body punch but Popov moves out of range.
Spezza moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nice shot lands for Spezza.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spezza moves away.
Spezza ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Popov throws a sloppy body shot
and Spezza cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Popov slips under a jab from Spezza.
Spezza misses with an uppercut
and Popov counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spezza throws a shot from downtown. Popov moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - Spezza coming out on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spezza connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Spezza throws out a loose jab but Popov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spezza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spezza was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.
Popov lands with a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Popov.
Spezza stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spezza was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.
Popov misses with the combination.
Spezza throws the left hand but Popov avoids the punch easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Spezza showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spezza has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jason Spezza!
Jason Spezza took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Vitality for their support in the buildup to the fight.