PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Popov (ranked 1519 p4p, 71 weight class) and Wladimir Yaroslev (ranked 2189 p4p, 93 weight class). Yaroslev has chosen Man with a Plan as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Popov
vs
Yaroslev

200 cm
28
290 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

210 cm
21
295 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Maxim Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wladimir Yaroslev!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Chris Dean and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov misses with a wild combination.
Popov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yaroslev.
Popov misses with a body shot.

Yaroslev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Yaroslev is controlling the pace.
Yaroslev working Popov over with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice strikes from Yaroslev there.
Yaroslev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Yaroslev is nestled in close to Popov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaroslev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popov tries to kick Yaroslev off but Yaroslev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Yaroslev trying to control from half guard but Popov is working away.
Yaroslev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Yaroslev throwing shots but Popov is blocking nicely.
Yaroslev drops an elbow to the side of Popov's head.
Yaroslev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Popov looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Popov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yaroslev.
Yaroslev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Yaroslev is looking to take a break and control but Popov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yaroslev is nestled in close to Popov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popov is looking to escape.
Yaroslev is nestled in close to Popov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Yaroslev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Popov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yaroslev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Popov is trying to stand.
Yaroslev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Yaroslev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Popov is defending against the submission attempts here by Yaroslev.
Yaroslev thows a huge punch but Popov dodges it nicely.
Popov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yaroslev on the ground.
Yaroslev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yaroslev is pressing down on Popov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Popov is holding on for now.

Yaroslev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev drops an elbow to the side of Popov's head.
Yaroslev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Yaroslev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Popov!
Yaroslev looking to control but Popov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Yaroslev breaks from Popov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Popov trying desperately to get to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yaroslev putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wladimir Yaroslev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Popov swings for the body but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Popov looks to land a combination but Yaroslev avoids it well.
Popov throws the left hand but Yaroslev avoids the punch easily.
Popov fails to land with a series of punches.
And Yaroslev tries to counter it with a takedown but Popov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Popov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Yaroslev slips a jab from Popov.

Popov gets caught napping as Yaroslev dives in and scores a takedown. Popov manages to retain guard.
Popov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Popov tries to get out of the position.
Popov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Yaroslev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Yaroslev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yaroslev throws a big elbow that misses.
Yaroslev postures up in Popov's guard and throws a big left but Popov blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaroslev stands up over Popov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yaroslev advances to half guard.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.
Yaroslev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Popov looks like he's trying to stand up.

Yaroslev is working for a submission of some sort.
Yaroslev is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Yaroslev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Yaroslev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev stops Popov from getting back to his feet.

Yaroslev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Yaroslev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Popov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yaroslev.
Yaroslev wants to control but Popov is keeping him busy.
Wladimir Yaroslev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yaroslev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Popov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.
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. Yaroslev connects with a nice short shot to Popov's temple.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.
Yaroslev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Yaroslev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Popov is staying active underneath Yaroslev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Popov wants to stand back up but Yaroslev manages to pass into side control.
Popov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wladimir Yaroslev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Popov tries to sprawl but Yaroslev drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Yaroslev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popov keeps working.
Yaroslev lands with a punch from half guard.
Popov tries to kick Yaroslev off but Yaroslev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nice strikes from Yaroslev there.
Yaroslev 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.
Yaroslev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popov is refusing to be controlled, as Yaroslev sits in half guard.

Popov is defending against the submission attempts here by Yaroslev.
Ground and pound from Yaroslev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaroslev is trying to control. Popov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Yaroslev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Popov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yaroslev.
Yaroslev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Popov is trying to stand.
Yaroslev lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Yaroslev controlling the pace.
Yaroslev is keen to just control but Popov is a slippery customer.
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. Yaroslev connects with a nice short shot to Popov's temple.
Yaroslev prevents Popov from standing back up.
Yaroslev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yaroslev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yaroslev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Yaroslev trying to control the action but Popov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Yaroslev lands a nice short elbow.
Yaroslev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yaroslev 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.
Yaroslev slips a nice elbow through Popov's hands, connecting with Popov's forehead.
Yaroslev is keen to just control but Popov is a slippery customer.
Yaroslev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yaroslev winds up and cracks Popov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Yaroslev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Popov is in trouble now - Yaroslev has advanced to mount!
Maxim Popov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Yaroslev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yaroslev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Yaroslev breaks from Popov's wrist control and lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wladimir Yaroslev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yaroslev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wladimir Yaroslev!
Wladimir Yaroslev took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Forge Clothing Co. for their support in the buildup to the fight.