PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elijah Hoffman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov has chosen Tom Sawyer - Rush as his entrance music. 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.

Hoffman
vs
Popov

175 cm
25
170 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

175 cm
23
164 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elijah Hoffman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikhail Popov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoffman.
Popov slips a jab from Hoffman.
Popov lands a jab to the nose.
Hoffman misses with a two punch combination.
Popov takes a swing at Hoffman's ribcage but misses.
Hoffman slips a jab and a cross from Popov.
Hoffman slips a jab and a cross from Popov.
Hoffman scores with a hook to the body. Popov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Popov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hoffman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Popov.
Hoffman misses with a looping left.
Hoffman scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A chopping leg kick lands by Popov.
Elijah Hoffman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoffman was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.
Popov dodges the punch combination from Hoffman.
Popov ducks under a wild hook from Hoffman.
Hoffman just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoffman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Popov. Popov obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoffman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Popov takes a swing at Hoffman's ribcage but misses.
Popov fails to land with a series of punches.
Popov lands with a nice body punch.
Popov scores with the left hand. Hoffman knows he should have avoided that one.
Popov punishes Hoffman's body with a nice straight punch.
Popov throws a shot from downtown. Hoffman moves away and avoids it.
Hoffman misses the jab.
Popov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hoffman throws a lazy right hand but Popov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Popov as Hoffman shoots in.
Popov lands a right hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Popov as he connects with a hook.
Popov throws a right hand that Hoffman ducks under and follows up with a left that Hoffman also avoids with ease.
Popov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Popov throws out a leg kick but Hoffman moves out of range and Popov only half commits.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman takes a swing at Popov's ribcage but misses.
Hoffman misses with a body shot.
Hoffman slips a jab and a cross from Popov.
Popov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoffman.
Popov sizes up Hoffman with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Popov lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoffman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mikhail Popov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Popov. Hoffman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Popov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hoffman shoots in looking for a takedown. Popov tries to sprawl out of it but Hoffman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Popov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Popov thows a body shot but no joy.
Hoffman throws a jab when Popov was well out of range.
Popov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hoffman misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Hoffman as he connects with a hook.
Popov dips to his left and cracks Hoffman with an uppercut!
Sloppy strikes from Popov. Those never looked like landing.
Hoffman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hoffman lands a lovely overhand right.
Hoffman swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Popov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Popov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hoffman rather than just go for the knockout.
Hoffman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Popov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoffman.
Hoffman throws a hook but Popov blocks it.
A big right from Hoffman misses.

Popov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hoffman landing some decent shots from guard.
Hoffman is looking to work some ground and pound but Popov has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman lands a couple of digs.
Hoffman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Popov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Popov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hoffman sees it coming and defends easily.
Hoffman works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hoffman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hoffman scores with a short punch from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Elijah Hoffman will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A nice inside leg kick there by Hoffman. That's going to slow Popov down.
Popov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hoffman.
A slow jab from Hoffman misses its intended target.
Hoffman cracks Popov with an open hand slap.
The fighters circling - Popov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hoffman takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hoffman has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Popov finds it's way round the side to connect with Hoffman's head.
Popov digs a good body shot into Hoffman's ribs.
Hoffman throws a series of strikes that have Popov backpedaling.
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoffman was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.
Popov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Popov digs a good hook to Hoffman's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoffman swings for the body but Popov moves out of range.
Hoffman looks to land a combination but Popov avoids it well.
Popov misses with a few strikes there.
Popov defending well as Hoffman loads up on a big left hand.
Popov just misses with a punch to the body.
Elijah Hoffman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoffman misses with a two punch combination.
Hoffman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hoffman throws a shot from downtown. Popov moves away and avoids it.
Popov lands with a nice combination. Hoffman backs away looking to recover.
Hoffman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Popov is looking to slow Hoffman down with leg kicks.
Elijah Hoffman is winning the standup battle so far.
Popov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoffman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Popov counters with a three punch combo that has Hoffman backing up. Hoffman nods at Popov to acknowledge the strikes.
Hoffman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popov manages to avoid it.
Hoffman shoots in and drives through. Popov sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Popov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Popov scores with a decent looking hook.
Hoffman throws a poor cross that misses
and Popov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Popov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov misses the shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popov takes one on the button.
Popov misses with a series of wild punches.
A jab from Popov misses.
Hoffman throws a jab when Popov was well out of range.
Hoffman just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoffman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Popov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoffman.

Hoffman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Popov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hoffman's guard.
Hoffman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Popov wants to control from the top but Hoffman keeps moving.
Hoffman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov won't allow Hoffman to sweep him here.
Popov throwing strikes but missing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hoffman pulls Popov in close to prevent any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Popov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hoffman.
Hoffman has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hoffman there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hoffman looks to land a right hand but Popov moved out of range.
Hoffman tries to bum rush Popov with a series of wild strikes but Popov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Popov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Popov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoffman was well out of range. Poor timing from Popov.
Hoffman takes a jab right on the kisser.
Popov cracks a nice hook into Hoffman's ribs.
Popov swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Popov. Hoffman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Popov lands a head shot.

Hoffman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Popov!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoffman working the head with strikes.
Hoffman working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Popov defending against the ground and pound.
Popov tries to escape but Hoffman is in control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov struggling a bit here.
Popov is not content to let Hoffman control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Hoffman dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hoffman lands a jab.
Popov slips under a jab from Hoffman.
Popov slips a straight right by Hoffman.
Hoffman lands with a right hand.
Popov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hoffman lands the left hand.
Hoffman throws a series of punches but Popov avoids them all with ease.
Hoffman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
No joy there for Hoffman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Popov misses with a hook to the body
letting Hoffman counter with a right hand.
Hoffman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hoffman throws a hook but Popov blocks it.
Hoffman walks into a left hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popov throws a right and a left that Hoffman avoids nicely.
Hoffman throws a series of punches but Popov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Popov. That's going to slow Hoffman down.
Hoffman has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Popov finds it's way round the side to connect with Hoffman's head.
Popov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hoffman.
Popov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Popov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoffman is just out of range.
Popov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hoffman throws a lazy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Popov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Popov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Hoffman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Popov's guard.
Hoffman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Elijah Hoffman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hoffman wants to control from the top but Popov keeps moving.
Hoffman tries to free his leg and advance position but Popov is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoffman prevents Popov from getting back to his feet.
Popov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hoffman controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoffman postures up.
Hoffman scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman landing with the ground and pound.
Hoffman stands up over Popov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hoffman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Popov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Popov looking for a sweep. Not yet Popov, not yet.
Popov is still trying to improve position.
Hoffman forces his way into half guard.
Hoffman is trying to control the action in half guard but Popov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoffman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hoffman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hoffman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hoffman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hoffman slips a nice elbow through Popov's hands, connecting with Popov's forehead.
Mikhail Popov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoffman slips a nice elbow through Popov's hands, connecting with Popov's forehead.
Hoffman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Elijah Hoffman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hoffman not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Hoffman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hoffman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Hoffman!