PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Zotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanislav Popovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zotov comes to the cage accompanied by Мы расправи. Stanislav Popovich looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Zotov
vs
Popovich

160 cm
24
137 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

168 cm
22
134 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

CEC Nutrition Q160
[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Zotov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanislav Popovich!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Zotov.
Zotov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popovich manages to avoid it.
Zotov takes a swing at Popovich's ribcage but misses.
Zotov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Popovich checks it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zotov misses with some punches.
Zotov tries to stall but Popovich uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zotov prevents Popovich from breaking the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Zotov.
Zotov has a couple of punches blocked by Popovich.
Zotov swings wildly with an uppercut but Popovich uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zotov wants to stall.
Zotov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Popovich is defending well for now.
Zotov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zotov is trying to maintain a safe position but Popovich gets an underhook and turns Zotov into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zotov taking a breather.
Zotov misses with an elbow strike.
Popovich blocks an uppercut.
Zotov tries a knee to the head but Popovich blocks it.
Zotov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Popovich lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zotov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Popovich blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zotov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Popovich avoids it.
Popovich blocking some punches.
Popovich avoids the elbow strike from Zotov, against the cage.
Zotov fails to pull guard.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popovich tries to break the clinch but Zotov is controlling the position.
Zotov wants a takedown but no success here.
Popovich blocks the elbow strike.
Zotov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Popovich walks away with a smile on his face. Zotov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Zotov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zotov looks to score with a jab to the body but Popovich is just out of range.
Zotov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Popovich scores with a one two! Zotov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Popovich moves into the clinch.
Zotov looking to throw knees to the head but Popovich is blocking nicely.
Zotov keeps control of Popovich as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zotov throws a punch but it's blocked by Popovich.
Popovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zotov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zotov working aggressively here.
Popovich tries to break free but Zotov pushes him back against the cage.
Zotov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popovich gets underhooks to prevent Zotov's takedown attempt.
Zotov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Popovich backwards.
Popovich is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zotov throws a punch but it's blocked by Popovich.
Popovich blocks an elbow strike.
Popovich is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Popovich is trying to break the clinch but Zotov has him pressed against the cage.
Zotov tries to pull guard but Popovich won't allow it.
Zotov swings wildly with an uppercut but Popovich uses good head movement to avoid it.

Popovich gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zotov tries to roll over but Popovich keeps him under control.
Popovich throwing shots but Zotov is blocking nicely.
Popovich perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zotov gets back to full guard.

Popovich drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Popovich jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popovich trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Popovich is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Popovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Zotov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zotov striking from his own guard.
Zotov wants to sweep but no luck.
Popovich throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zotov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Popovich manages to get himself to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zotov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Maksim Zotov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No joy there for Popovich, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Popovich checks the leg kick.
Zotov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zotov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice straight punches there by Zotov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zotov.
Popovich blocks the body kick.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Popovich checks a low kick from Zotov.
Popovich scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Popovich keeps the fight on the outside.

Popovich has Zotov up against the cage in a clinch.
Popovich scores with a shoulder strike.
Zotov looking to throw knees to the head but Popovich is blocking nicely.
Zotov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zotov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Popovich blocks it with crossed arms.
Maksim Zotov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popovich blocks an elbow strike.
Zotov is looking to control Popovich's arms but Popovich gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zotov has his back to the cage.
Zotov wants a takedown.
Zotov tries to land knees in the clinch but Popovich avoids the damage to the body.

Popovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Popovich lands a jab-cross combination.
Zotov throws a sloppy head kick and Popovich moves out of range easily.
Zotov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Popovich.

Popovich moves into the clinch successfully.

Popovich breaks the clinch.
Maksim Zotov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Zotov misses.

Popovich moves into the clinch.
Zotov throws an elbow that misses.
Zotov keeps control of Popovich as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zotov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zotov throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch but Zotov keeps him there for the moment.
Zotov with a knee to the head.
Popovich avoids a wild elbow strike from Zotov.
Zotov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Popovich lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zotov misses with some punches.
Zotov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zotov throws an elbow but it misses.
Popovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Popovich is trying to break the clinch but Zotov has him pressed against the cage.
Zotov wants to stall.

Zotov jumps guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zotov has a closed guard, preventing Popovich from standing up.
Popovich looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Zotov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Popovich is aware though and is defending well.

Popovich gets to his feet - Zotov follows without any prompting.
Popovich throws a series of punches but Zotov avoids them all with ease.
Zotov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Popovich keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Popovich keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zotov takes a swing at Popovich's ribcage but misses.
Stanislav Popovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popovich misses with a few strikes there.
Zotov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zotov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popovich manages to avoid it.
Stanislav Popovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some bone on bone action there as Popovich checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zotov tries to pull guard but Popovich holds him up against the cage and eventually Zotov drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Popovich managing to block the knees to the body from Zotov.
Zotov has Popovich pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popovich manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Zotov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zotov tries to land a knee to the head but Popovich blocks with his arms.
Popovich throws an elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popovich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zotov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Popovich blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Maksim Zotov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Zotov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Popovich ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zotov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popovich.
Popovich misses with a double jab.
Popovich scores with a jab. Zotov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Popovich lands a jab-cross combination.

Popovich clinches.
Zotov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Popovich has had enough of the clinch but Zotov keeps him there for the moment.
Zotov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zotov pushes off an throws an elbow but Popovich leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zotov lands with a light punch inside.
Zotov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zotov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zotov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zotov looking to throw knees to the head but Popovich is blocking nicely.
Popovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zotov with a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Popovich.
Popovich looking to slow down the pace here.
Popovich blocks an uppercut.

Popovich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zotov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Popovich shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Zotov eats them both and turns towards Popovich to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Zotov moves in looking to clinch but Popovich pushes him off.
Popovich chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zotov can pounce on him.
Zotov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Popovich fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zotov, pushing him back against the cage.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zotov wants to clinch.

Zotov clinches with his opponent.
Popovich wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zotov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zotov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zotov looking to stall.

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

Popovich takes the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Popovich as Zotov tries to tie him up.
Zotov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Popovich smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Popovich darts in and clinches Zotov up against the cage.

Popovich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zotov scores with a push kick.
Zotov tries to clinch there but Popovich circles away.

Popovich darts in and clinches Zotov up against the cage.
Maksim Zotov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Popovich struggles to land a body shot inside as Zotov controls his hands.
Zotov misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zotov working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popovich wants to break free but Zotov has control.
Popovich blocks the elbow strike.
Popovich softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zotov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stanislav Popovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short right from Popovich.
Zotov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Popovich's efforts to push away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popovich takes an elbow to the temple.
Zotov throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Stanislav Popovich.
I think Zotov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maksim Zotov!
Maksim Zotov managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, [WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry), into his post fight interview.