PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jan Pope (ranked 4732 p4p, 411 weight class) and Rock Machine (ranked 3162 p4p, 303 weight class). Machine is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hell Yeah. Rock Machine has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Pope
vs
Machine

181 cm
34
153 lbs
18 - 19 - 0

180 cm
37
150 lbs
16 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jan Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rock Machine!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machine bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Pope sneaks out the side door and pushes Machine away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Pope misses with a hook to the body

and Machine moves into the clinch.
Pope misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machine.
Machine has had enough of the clinch but Pope keeps him there for the moment.
Pope displaying some good clinch control by pressing Machine up against the cage.
Machine tries to break free but Pope pushes him back against the cage.

Machine breaks from the clinch.
Machine misses with a looping left.
Machine rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pope moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machine takes a jab right on the kisser.
Machine listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Machine tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pope manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pope cracks Machine with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pope loads up on a big right hand but Machine slips the punch.
Machine throws a hook but Pope avoids it easily.
Pope was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Machine shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pope sprawls well. Pope wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Machine gets slowly back to his feet.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick
and Pope cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pope defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machine.
A jab lands there for Machine.
Machine wants to slow Pope down by chopping away at his legs.
A quick step to the side and Pope tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machine is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Machine!

Pope gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Machine to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pope manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Machine manages to get himself to full guard.

Machine looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pope content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Machine wants to sweep here but Pope controlling him for the moment.
Pope trying to control but Machine is working from the bottom.
Pope throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Machine works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machine holds on and takes a little breather.
Machine is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine looking for a sweep. Not yet Machine, not yet.
Machine is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machine has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
My spies in Death Valley Training Facility inform me that Machine has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Machine pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Pope working to try and regain half guard.
Machine controlling his opponent.
Machine trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope is desperately trying to improve his position but Machine has a good base and remains in mount.
Machine is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pope can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Machine scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pope?
Machine lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pope is looking to improve his position but Machine isn't that keen on the idea.
Pope is working hard here to advance position.
Machine in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Pope is working to get back to half guard.
Pope taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Machine dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Machine misses with a hook
letting Pope counter with a right hand.
Pope dives in for a single leg takedown but Machine sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Machine moves into range and connects with a jab.
Pope misses with a hook. Machine ducked under it nicely.
Machine swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pope.
Machine fails to land with a series of punches.
Machine misses with the combination.
Machine is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Machine misses with a two punch combination.
Pope throwing a counter right hand but Machine manages to avoid it.
Pope moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Pope with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Machine to score with a decent uppercut.
Machine walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machine avoids the head kick by Pope.
A little jabbing left from Machine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Machine stuns Pope with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Machine misses with a hook.
Pope is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machine sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Machine misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Machine has taken the fight to the clinch.
Machine throws a head punch that misses.
Pope blocks the elbow strike.

Machine breaks from the clinch.
Machine fails with the takedown.
Pope connects with a body shot that sends Machine's belly button to the back.
Machine checks a low kick from Pope.
An inside leg kick lands from Machine.
Pope uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machine.
Machine looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A quick step to the side and Pope tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machine misses with an uppercut
and Pope counters with a nice uppercut.
Pope takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine misses with a hook.
Machine misses with a two punch combination.
Rock Machine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Machine rushes Pope and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pope misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machine.
A right hand to the body from Machine.
Pope looking to throw knees to the head but Machine is blocking nicely.
Pope lands an uppercut.
Machine is looking to break free of the clinch but Pope has double underhooks.
Pope misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machine.
Machine blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Machine pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machine defending well as Pope loads up on a big left hand.
Rock Machine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pope avoids the head kick by Machine.

Pope pushes Machine up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine tries a body shot but Pope blocks it.
Pope lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Machine on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pope connects with a nasty looking knee right to Machine's face.

It looks like Rock Machine has been cut.
Pope misses with a hook from the clinch.

Machine has clasped his hands together around Pope's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Pope bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pope throws a series of punches but Machine avoids them all with ease.
Pope on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Machine throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A solid leg kick lands there for Machine.
Machine throws a leg kick
enabling Pope to counter with a crisp jab.
Pope ducks right into an uppercut from Machine.
Machine lands an overhand right.
Pope scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope loads up on a big right hand but Machine slips the punch.
Machine feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pope's calf.
Pope scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pope lands with a nice combination. Machine backs away looking to recover.
Pope lands with a nice body punch.
Pope checks the leg kick nicely there.
Pope throws a head kick but Machine moves out of range.
Pope closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Pope takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pope thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pope swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Machine rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pope moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pope throwing a counter right hand but Machine manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machine is looking to clinch.
Pope comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Machine pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pope punishes Machine's body with a nice straight punch.
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 Jan Pope will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rock Machine's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pope throws a sloppy head kick and Machine moves out of range easily.
Machine takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Machine cracks Pope with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pope.
Pope scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Machine tries to land a front kick but Pope steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pope lands with a cross.
Pope stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pope wants it to stay on the feet.
Pope walks into a straight right hand from Machine.
Pope throws a chopping leg kick but Machine manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A combination from Pope does no damage.
Pope uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machine.
Pope swats away the attempt to clinch by Machine.
That kick from Pope tenderised Machine's leg. Machine is trying to keep his angry face on.
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!
Machine shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick and Pope moves out of range easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Pope misses the target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Machine!

Pope gets caught flat footed, as Machine shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Pope pushes Machine off and gets back to his feet.
Machine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machine lands a high kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pope avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machine throws a looping overhand right but Pope ducks down to avoid it.
Machine takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A jab from Pope finds it's way through Machine's defenses.
Pope avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pope takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Pope ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Machine 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pope is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Machine is defending well for now.
Pope tries to throw a body punch but Machine avoids it by throwing Pope back against the cage.
Machine wants to break the clinch but can't.
Machine blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Machine blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pope misses with some punches.

Machine manages to break the clinch.
Pope goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pope throws a combination that misses
and Machine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machine lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Machine displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pope throws out the jab.
Pope avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine moves forwards but Pope connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Pope checks a low kick from Machine.
Pope ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Machine throws a combination that misses
and Machine takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pope misses with a right hand
and Machine makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pope really felt that one!
Pope ducks right into an uppercut from Machine.
Machine tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A slow jab from Pope misses its intended target.
Machine lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Machine dives in and scores a takedown into Pope's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pope is controlling Machine's posture.
Machine's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pope will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Machine trying to control the position from guard on top but Pope is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Machine stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pope swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Pope is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Pope jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machine connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Machine clinches.
Pope landing knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jan Pope.
I think Pope 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Pope!
An out of breath Jan Pope thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.