PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Forte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov comes to the cage accompanied by Be Good to Yourself . Alexander Popov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Popov
vs
Forte

222 cm
22
146 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

173 cm
24
143 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Alexander Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jason Forte!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Forte keeps the fight on the outside.

Popov forces Forte back against the cage and clinches.

Forte successfully pulls guard.
Popov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popov throwing strikes from guard but Forte blocks nicely.
Forte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Forte manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Popov is looking to get to half guard.

Forte is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Popov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Forte landing punches.
Popov throwing hammer fists to the chest of Forte. What's that going to do exactly?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Popov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Popov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Forte scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Forte is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popov gets back to full guard.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Forte drops back looking for a leg! Popov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Popov manages to kick Forte off! Forte jumps back into Popov's guard.
Forte looks gassed!
Popov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Forte is working Popov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Forte thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Forte drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Forte jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov scores with a nice shot.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Popov throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Forte drops back looking for a leg! Popov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Popov manages to kick Forte off! Forte jumps back into Popov's guard.
Popov lands a decent punch to the body there.
Popov with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Forte can't handle though.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov strikes from his own guard.
Forte pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popov is keeping the position for now.
Forte takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Popov keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Forte.
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov trying to strike off his back.
Forte has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Forte looking to pass the guard.
Popov scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Popov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Forte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Popov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Popov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom.
Forte is looking to work some ground and pound but Popov has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Popov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Popov striking from the bottom here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Forte drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Forte jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Popov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Popov lands some strikes from the bottom.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov trying to strike off his back.
Popov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.

Forte is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Popov lands an upkick as Forte stands over him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Popov trying to strike off his back.
Popov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Popov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Forte gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Alexander Popov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popov is trying to get back to full guard.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Popov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Forte drops back looking for a leg! Popov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Popov manages to kick Forte off! Forte jumps back into Popov's guard.
Popov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Forte throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Popov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Forte is breathing heavily.
Forte stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Popov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Forte is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Forte drops back looking for a leg! Popov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Popov manages to kick Forte off! Forte jumps back into Popov's guard.
Popov striking from the bottom.
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Popov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Forte stands up out of Popov's guard for a moment - Popov manages to land a nice upkick.
Popov punching from the bottom - just letting Forte know he's still in a fight.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Popov scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Popov lands a decent punch to the body there.
Popov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Forte landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov lands a decent punch to the body there.
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Popov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Popov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Forte throws a big right hand that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Forte pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popov is keeping the position for now.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Popov lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Popov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom.
Popov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Forte is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Forte missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Popov striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Popov throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Popov lands a decent shot there.
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom.
Forte advances to half guard.
Forte blocks the strikes from Popov.

Forte is looking for a kimura here.
Popov striking from half guard on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forte missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Forte blocks the strikes from Popov.
Forte seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Forte passes Popov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Forte blocks the strikes from Popov.
Popov punching from the bottom.

Forte is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Popov is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov punching from the bottom.

Forte is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Popov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Popov dominated that second round.
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 clinches.

Forte lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Forte lands a nice short elbow.
Popov missing with punches from the bottom.
Forte moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Popov.
Popov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Forte's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Forte is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Popov striking from half guard on the bottom.
Popov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Popov is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Forte takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Popov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popov strikes from his own guard.
Popov striking off his back, scoring a few points.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Popov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Forte.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Popov lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Forte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Popov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Popov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Popov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Forte pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popov is keeping the position for now.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Popov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Forte stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Popov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov punching to the body, from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Forte takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Popov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Forte thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Popov striking off his back but it's not causing Forte any problems.
Popov throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Forte throwing strikes but missing.
Popov lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forte takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Popov throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Jason Forte has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Forte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Forte accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Popov lands an upkick as Forte stands over him.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Popov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Forte is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Forte drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Forte jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Popov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Forte looking to pass the guard.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Forte missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov striking off his back.
Popov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Forte.
Forte pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Popov is keeping the position for now.
Popov punching from the bottom - just letting Forte know he's still in a fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Popov punching from the bottom.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Forte thows a big elbow that misses.
Popov throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Popov punching from the bottom.
Popov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Popov scores with a nice shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Forte.
Popov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Forte is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Forte working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Popov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Popov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

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