PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shivakamini Somakandarkram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Somakandarkram comes to the cage accompanied by Shiva Song. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Somakandarkram
vs
Popov

180 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
219 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shivakamini Somakandarkram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Popov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Somakandarkram shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Popov sprawls well. Popov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Somakandarkram gets slowly back to his feet.
Popov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Somakandarkram uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Popov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Somakandarkram displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Popov.
Shivakamini Somakandarkram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Popov.
Somakandarkram fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Popov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Somakandarkram as he jumps to the side.
Popov takes one to the chin there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Popov is defended easily by Somakandarkram.
Somakandarkram is trying hard to land a takedown here. Popov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Somakandarkram stuffs the takedown attempt from Popov. Popov gets slowly back to his feet.
Somakandarkram lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somakandarkram shoots in but no luck this time.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Somakandarkram shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Somakandarkram showed some decent athleticism there.
Somakandarkram wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popov keeps working.
Somakandarkram wants to pass the guard but Popov is defending well.
Somakandarkram thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popov's head.
Nice strikes from Somakandarkram there.
Somakandarkram seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Popov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Somakandarkram is thwarting Popov's attempts to control the position.
Somakandarkram throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Somakandarkram is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Somakandarkram lands a nice short elbow.
Somakandarkram lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Popov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Somakandarkram.
Somakandarkram winds up and cracks Popov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Popov is trying to control but can't.
Somakandarkram is trying to control. Popov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Popov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Somakandarkram seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Popov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Somakandarkram. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Somakandarkram thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popov's head.
Somakandarkram throwing shots but Popov is blocking nicely.
Somakandarkram is looking to take a break and control but Popov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Popov tries to get to full guard but Somakandarkram has control of the leg.
Somakandarkram thows a huge punch but Popov dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somakandarkram working over Popov with some ground and pound. Popov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Somakandarkram connects with a nice short shot to Popov's temple.
Somakandarkram 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.
Somakandarkram passes to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Somakandarkram wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popov keeps working.
Popov tries to bench press Somakandarkram off him but Somakandarkram keeps the position.
Popov is not content to let Somakandarkram control the position.
Somakandarkram working the ground and pound from side control.

Popov is rocked!
Popov tries to buck Somakandarkram off but Somakandarkram is having none of it.
Popov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The strikes coming from Somakandarkram are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Somakandarkram scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Popov is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Somakandarkram can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Shivakamini Somakandarkram!
Shivakamini Somakandarkram seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.