PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nestor Christian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Loyd Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nestor Christian has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Christian
vs
Pope

212 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

172 cm
20
151 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nestor Christian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Loyd Pope!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pope bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Pope working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Christian can't do much from the bottom here.

Pope looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Pope wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Christian, who protects the arm well.
Christian really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christian tries to buck Pope off but Pope is having none of it.

Pope tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pope tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pope is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Christian is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pope wants to stand but Christian has his arm trapped.

Pope is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Christian is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Pope swings around for an armbar but Christian sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Pope's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christian wants to control from the top but Pope keeps moving.

Pope pushes Christian off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Pope shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Christian but Christian pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horrible takedown attempt by Christian or perhaps it was just good defense by Pope, which made it look bad.

Pope closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pope is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Christian has escaped the position, nice work there.

Pope is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Christian is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Pope tries for a kimura but Christian is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope working away.
Christian is trying to get back to half guard.

Pope wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Christian, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pope working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Loyd Pope dominated that round.
That's time! Christian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pope changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Christian tries to avoid it but Pope manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Christian to the ground. Christian escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pope fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Christian darts in and clinches Pope up against the cage.

Pope jumps guard.
Pope is looking to stand up but Christian isn't so interested in that idea.
Pope has Christian pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christian trying to control but Pope is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope has Christian pulled in close to control his posture.
Pope wants to stand and escape but Christian is having none of it.
Pope is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Christian wants to control from the top but Pope keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pope darts in looking for a takedown but Christian gets double underhooks and turns Pope into the cage.
Nestor Christian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Loyd Pope.

Christian shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pope napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Pope wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Christian working away.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Christian wants to control but Pope is keeping him busy.
Christian will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pope is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Christian asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Pope gets back to half guard.
Christian content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Pope closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Christian to the mat! Christian manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pope decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Pope throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Christian tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pope is in Christian's guard.

Pope gets to his feet. Christian looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Pope has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Pope clinches up against the cage.
Christian managing to block the knees to the body from Pope.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pope is pushing Christian up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Pope keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Christian's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Loyd Pope showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Christian clinches with his opponent.
Pope fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Pope has picked Christian up - he's going for a ride! Pope dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Pope is working for a submission of some sort.
It looks like Pope is going to stand back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pope is trying to work for a kimura but Christian is defending well.

Pope has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Christian defend it? Pope steps over the head and cranks it - Christian is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Pope!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Loyd Pope!