PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Balthazar Baker (ranked 440 p4p, 975 weight class) and Mikhail Popkov (ranked 64 p4p, 150 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Baker
vs
Popkov

195 cm
28
190
10 - 4 - 0

200 cm
23
195
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Balthazar Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikhail Popkov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Popkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baker.
Baker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Popkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Popkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Baker swings widly with a right hand
and Popkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Popkov throws a lazy right hand but Baker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Popkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popkov moves out of range as Baker strikes.
Popkov walks into a left hand.
Baker lands with a straight right. Popkov didn't see that one coming.
Popkov slips under a jab from Baker.
Popkov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baker misses with a takedown attempt
and Popkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Balthazar Baker has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baker circles away quickly and effectively.
Baker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popkov is fending him off so far but Baker persists. Nope, Popkov circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popkov.
Popkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baker throws out the jab.
Baker missing with a left hand there. Popkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Popkov at a distance.
Popkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baker was well out of range. Poor timing from Popkov.
Baker slips under a jab.
Popkov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Mikhail Popkov has been cut.
Baker slips a straight right by Popkov.
Popkov looks to land a left hand but Baker moved out of range nicely.
Popkov ducks under a wild hook from Baker.

Baker rushes Popkov and presses him up against the cage.
Baker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baker lands a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Popkov fails to land.
Baker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baker gets through Popkov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker tries a body shot but Popkov blocks it.
Popkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Popkov misses with a punch on the inside.
Popkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Popkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Baker won't allow it.
Popkov digs a right hand underneath Baker's ribcage. Baker let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Popkov wants to break the clinch but can't.

Popkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baker on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Baker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Popkov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Baker uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Popkov has time to react.
Baker throws a shot from downtown. Popkov moves away and avoids it.
Baker misses with a body shot.
Popkov swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Baker to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popkov manages to avoid it.
Popkov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A big right from Baker misses.
Baker scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker clinches with his opponent.

Popkov breaks from the clinch.
Popkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mikhail Popkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Baker lands a right hook to the body.
Popkov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Baker on the side of the head.

Baker is rocked!
Popkov dances in with a quick combination. Baker is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Popkov snaps Baker's head back. Baker stumbles backwards against the cage. Popkov steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Baker's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Baker just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Mikhail Popkov!
After winning the bout, Mikhail Popkov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.