PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Salazar (ranked 3865 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeny Popov (ranked 3315 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Salazar
vs
Popov

181 cm
24
151 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Samuel Salazar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeny Popov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Popov showed some decent athleticism there.
Popov wants to take a breather but Salazar is having none of it.
Popov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Popov wants to control the action but instead Salazar gets a body lock and reverses into Popov's guard! Nice work!
Salazar throws a big right hand that misses.
Salazar throws an elbow that misses. Popov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Salazar's guard. Nice move by Popov!

Salazar 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.
Popov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Salazar working a defensive guard here.
Salazar bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Popov's guard.

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!
Popov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Popov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Salazar manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Salazar is trying to keep Popov in close.
Salazar keeping full guard, as Popov tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Popov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Popov landing with the ground and pound.
Salazar keeping moving, preventing Popov from controlling successfully.
Salazar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Popov with a nice head shot there.
Popov is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Popov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Popov distracts Salazar with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Popov is working Salazar over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Popov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Salazar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Popov stands up over Salazar, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Salazar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Popov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Salazar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Popov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Popov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Popov wants to control from the top but Salazar keeps moving.
Popov postures up in Salazar's guard and throws a big left but Salazar blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar keeping moving, preventing Popov from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Salazar pushes Popov off and scrambles back to his feet.

Popov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Popov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Popov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Popov is pulling down on Salazar's head to control his posture.
Salazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar being controlled here momentarily.
Salazar tries to stand but Popov is controlling from the bottom.
Salazar postures up in Popov's guard and throws a big left but Popov blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Salazar throws a strike but Popov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Popov is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeny Popov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Popov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Popov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Popov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Salazar has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Popov but great work by Salazar.

Salazar stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Salazar dives in and grabs Popov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popov pushes down on Salazar's head and hops out.
Popov throws a big counter head kick but Salazar avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salazar tries to clinch up.
Popov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Salazar.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Salazar enables Popov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Salazar manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
Popov throws a big right hand that misses.
Popov preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Popov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Popov lands a couple of elbows.
Salazar keeping full guard, as Popov tries to pass.
Popov pushing down on Salazar's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Salazar throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Popov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Popov works his way into full mount!
Salazar sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Salazar has managed to free his arm - good work.
Salazar blocking the ground and pound attempt from Popov.
Salazar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Popov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Popov raining down shots from the mount!
Popov landing strikes from the mount and Salazar is in trouble!
Salazar is squirming around, avoiding Popov's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popov goes for an armbar but Salazar turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Salazar.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Popov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Salazar postures up.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.
Popov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salazar is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Salazar is controlling him.
Salazar is looking to stand up but Popov won't let him.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.
Salazar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Salazar won't allow Popov to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov wants to sweep but no luck.

Salazar decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Popov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Evgeny Popov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Salazar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Popov avoids a punch combination nicely.

Popov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Salazar kicks Popov off and gets back to his feet.
Salazar misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Popov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Popov is struggling to control the position.

Popov wants the takedown. Salazar is fighting it off but Popov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Salazar's guard against the cage.

Salazar scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov looking to score a takedown here. Salazar is defending well but Popov drives through and ends up in Salazar's guard.
Popov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Popov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Salazar is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Salazar has escaped and now he's on top!

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Salazar's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Evgeny Popov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Salazar would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Popov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Salazar manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Popov trying to control the position from guard on top but Salazar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Salazar looking for a guillotine here but Popov defends easily.
Popov won't allow Salazar to sweep him here.
Popov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Salazar keeping moving, preventing Popov from controlling successfully.
Popov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salazar is looking for a triangle but Popov pushes his legs off easily.

Popov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Salazar dives on top into guard.

Popov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Evgeny Popov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Salazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Popov has his hands on Salazar's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Salazar would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Popov wants to stand and escape but Salazar is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Salazar moves in looking to clinch but Popov pushes him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Samuel Salazar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Salazar clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Salazar showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Popov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeny Popov!