PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Tucker (ranked 24468 p4p, 5655 weight class) and Vladimir Poporovkov (ranked 653 p4p, 562 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tucker
vs
Poporovkov

190 cm
25
170
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
182
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alex Tucker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Poporovkov!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Ben Watson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Poporovkov rushes Tucker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tucker is looking to break free of the clinch but Poporovkov has double underhooks.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.
Tucker is trying to push Poporovkov away but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Poporovkov's coach down at The Gladiator was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Poporovkov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Tucker is trying to push Poporovkov away but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Poporovkov.
Poporovkov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tucker in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Poporovkov with a knee to the head.

It looks like Alex Tucker has been cut.
Poporovkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tucker's face.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Poporovkov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Poporovkov keeps control of Tucker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Poporovkov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
Poporovkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Poporovkov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tucker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Poporovkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch but Poporovkov keeps him there for the moment.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Poporovkov landing knees to the body.
Poporovkov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tucker in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tucker is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Poporovkov scores with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Poporovkov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stalling in the clinch from Poporovkov.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Tucker wants to get back to striking at distance but Poporovkov won't allow it.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov landing knees to the body.
Tucker is trying to push Poporovkov away but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov landing knees to the head.
Poporovkov lands a knee to the head.
Poporovkov scores with a knee to the head.
Tucker tries to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling the position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Poporovkov.
Poporovkov missing with knees to the body.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov stalling.
Poporovkov landing knees to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Poporovkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Poporovkov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alex Tucker's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tucker misses with a jab, cross combination.

Poporovkov moves into the clinch.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Tucker managing to block the knees to the body from Poporovkov.
Tucker takes a knee right on the jaw!
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Poporovkov has the dominant position.
Poporovkov lands a knee to the body.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Poporovkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Tucker is trying to break free.
A knee to the head by Poporovkov.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Poporovkov stalling the fight.
Come on Poporovkov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Poporovkov slows down the pace here.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tucker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Tucker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Tucker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Poporovkov scores a nice knee to the body.
Tucker avoiding damage as Poporovkov throws knees to the body.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Tucker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Poporovkov connects with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Tucker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Tucker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tucker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tucker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poporovkov is breathing heavily.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker is looking to break free of the clinch but Poporovkov has double underhooks.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Poporovkov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tucker's face.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Poporovkov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poporovkov landing knees to the head.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Poporovkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alex Tucker's cut.
That's time! Tucker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tucker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Poporovkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alex Tucker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Poporovkov closes the distance and clinches.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Poporovkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Poporovkov has the dominant position.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Poporovkov has the dominant position.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
Poporovkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Poporovkov keeps control of Tucker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Vladimir Poporovkov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tucker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poporovkov missing with knees to the body.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Poporovkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov keeps control of Tucker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tucker tries to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling the position.
Poporovkov has Tucker pressed against the cage, preventing Tucker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A knee to the head by Poporovkov.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch but Poporovkov keeps him there for the moment.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Poporovkov missing with knees to the body.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Knees to the body from Poporovkov.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Poporovkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Poporovkov has the dominant position.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Tucker avoiding damage as Poporovkov throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov keeps control of Tucker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Poporovkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Poporovkov has the dominant position.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov keeps control of Tucker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tucker takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Poporovkov just leaning against Tucker, taking a breather.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Poporovkov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alex Tucker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Poporovkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tucker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Poporovkov looks to move away, Tucker throws a big counter combo but Poporovkov just gets out of the way.

Poporovkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tucker, pushing him back against the cage.
Tucker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Poporovkov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
Tucker wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Poporovkov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poporovkov dodges the punch combination from Tucker.
Tucker looks to land a combination but Poporovkov avoids it well.
Vladimir Poporovkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poporovkov slips a jab and a cross from Tucker.
Tucker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Poporovkov forces Tucker back against the cage and clinches.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tucker avoids it.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov is stalling here.
Tucker wants to get back to striking at distance but Poporovkov won't allow it.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Poporovkov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tucker's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Poporovkov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A knee to the head by Poporovkov.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.
Tucker is trying to push Poporovkov away but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tucker avoiding damage as Poporovkov throws knees to the body.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Poporovkov trying to land knees to the body.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch but Poporovkov keeps him there for the moment.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tucker tries to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling the position.
Tucker avoiding damage as Poporovkov throws knees to the body.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling him.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Poporovkov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Alex Tucker's cut.
That's time! Tucker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tucker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Poporovkov closes the distance and pushes Tucker back into the cage.
Poporovkov leaning against his opponent.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov misses with a knee strike.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Poporovkov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tucker is defending well for now.
Tucker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov lands a knee to the body.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Poporovkov missing with knees to the body.
Poporovkov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Poporovkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker avoiding damage as Poporovkov throws knees to the body.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Poporovkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Poporovkov scores with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov scores with a knee to the head.
Tucker is trying to push Poporovkov away but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch but Poporovkov keeps him there for the moment.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Poporovkov has Tucker pressed against the cage, preventing Tucker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tucker tries to break free but Poporovkov pushes him back against the cage.
Poporovkov stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov landing knees to the head.
Poporovkov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
Tucker tries to break the clinch but Poporovkov is controlling the position.
Poporovkov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tucker up against the cage.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Poporovkov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tucker avoids it.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Poporovkov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tucker avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker is trying to break free.
Poporovkov has Tucker pressed against the cage, preventing Tucker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Poporovkov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Poporovkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tucker's efforts to push away.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Knees in the clinch landing for Poporovkov.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A frustrated look appears on Tucker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but Tucker blocks with his arms.
Poporovkov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Poporovkov misses with a knee to the head.
Poporovkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poporovkov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.
Tucker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poporovkov has him pressed against the cage.
Poporovkov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tucker is defending well for now.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tucker wants to break free but Poporovkov has control.
Tucker tries to circle away but Poporovkov has him pinned against the cage.
Poporovkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Poporovkov lands a knee to the head.
Tucker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tucker managing to block the knees to the body from Poporovkov.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poporovkov looking to throw knees to the head but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch but Poporovkov keeps him there for the moment.
Alex Tucker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tucker misses with a punch to the body.
Poporovkov blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Poporovkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Poporovkov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 41:50
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 41:50
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 41:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Poporovkov!