PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Russell McCullough (ranked 4415 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Popov (ranked 4417 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McCullough
vs
Popov

175 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Russell McCullough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleg Popov!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullough displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Popov.

McCullough tries to keep at a distance but Popov has taken the fight into the clinch.
McCullough tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.
Popov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Popov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Popov stalling in the clinch.
Popov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
McCullough is pressed up against the cage. Popov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCullough down to the mat. McCullough avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Popov moves into the clinch successfully.
McCullough tries to break free but Popov pushes him back against the cage.
McCullough has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCullough wants to break free but Popov has control.
McCullough tries to break the clinch but Popov is controlling the position.
McCullough is trying to break the clinch but Popov has him pressed against the cage.
McCullough prevents the takedown attempt.
Russell McCullough has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Popov.
Popov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCullough's efforts to push away.
McCullough on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCullough wants to break the clinch but can't.

Popov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell McCullough seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from McCullough. Those never looked like landing.
McCullough misses with a straight left.

Popov has McCullough up against the cage in a clinch.
McCullough wants to break free but Popov has control.
McCullough wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McCullough looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McCullough gets underhooks to prevent Popov's takedown attempt.
McCullough is trying to break the clinch but Popov is controlling him.
McCullough prevents the takedown attempt.
Popov stalling the fight.
Popov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCullough avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCullough is trying to break free.
Popov prevents McCullough from breaking the clinch.
Popov is trying to drag McCullough to the mat but McCullough just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov is working for takedown but McCullough is calmly controlling the position for now.

Popov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCullough tries to bum rush Popov with a series of wild strikes but Popov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McCullough throws a series of punches but Popov avoids them all with ease.
McCullough falls off balance throwing a combination

and Popov moves into the clinch.
Popov keeps control of McCullough as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Popov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCullough tries to bum rush Popov with a series of wild strikes but Popov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Popov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCullough is fending him off so far but Popov persists. Nope, McCullough circles away and we're back to standing.
Popov blocks a head kick by McCullough.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCullough lands a glancing blow to the side of Popov's head.
BOOM! McCullough lands a beautiful left hook that drops Popov. Popov tries to recover but McCullough is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Popov lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Russell McCullough!