PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Oro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alyosha Popovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Oro
vs
Popovich

160 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

225 cm
25
130 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Condemned

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Oro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alyosha Popovich!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Popovich tries to avoid it but Oro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Popovich to the ground. Popovich escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Popovich.
Popovich tries to clinch but Oro moves out of range.
Popovich throws a nice looking combination but Oro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oro is looking to chop away at Popovich's legs.
Alyosha Popovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popovich throws a series of punches but Oro avoids them all with ease.

Popovich tries to sprawl but Oro drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Oro is keen to just control but Popovich is a slippery customer.
Oro is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Popovich is looking for a sweep. Oro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Oro there.
Oro throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Oro 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.
Oro seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popovich keeps working.
Popovich trying to control from the bottom.
Oro prevents Popovich from improving his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Vladimir Oro has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Popovich throws a right and a left that Oro avoids nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Oro.
Popovich misses with the combination.
Popovich lands a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Popovich gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Oro looking to pass the guard.
Oro is pushing down on Popovich's leg trying to pass to half guard. Popovich is fighting to maintain full guard but Oro has managed to sneak the leg through.
Popovich looks like he's trying to stand up.
Oro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Popovich can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Oro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Oro is taking a breather. Popovich says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Oro wants to control but Popovich is keeping him busy.

Oro seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Popovich is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Vladimir Oro!
Vladimir Oro got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'