Rodrigo Nascimento is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, with six of his 12 victories coming by way of submission. The American Top Team product started his career 8-0 and has fought on the biggest stages of MMA. Nascimento made his debut in May with a split decision over Abraham Bably, and he now finds himself one win away from competing in the PFL World Tournament Heavyweight Finals.

 

Oleg Popov came into the PFL with a strong reputation as a Master of Sport in army hand-to-hand combat. The FedorTeam product used his wrestling background to his advantage, making it all the way to the finals of last year’s heavyweight season before losing to Denis Goltsov – the first loss in Popov’s professional MMA career. Now, after defeating Karl Williams in May, Popov is one win away from another chance to claim a PFL Heavyweight Tournament Title.

 

Which of these two will be competing for the PFL Heavyweight World Tournament Title in August?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kicks from Popov to start. Nascimento answers with a couple of strikes. Another one-two to answer Popov’s low kicks. Uppercut by Nascimento. Inside combination by Nascimento. Popov goes for the leg and scores a takedown, placing Nascimento against the fence. Popov works some left hands to try and get Nascimento to flatten. Popov traps one of Nascimento’s legs with one of his own. Another couple of left hands from Popov. And again. Nascimento takes punishment as Popov rides this position.

 

Nascimento looks for a kimura, but Popov easily shakes it off. Nascimento tries to return to his feet now. A knee to the head by Popov. Another knee as Nascimento gets to his feet again. Now battling against the fence, with Nascimento’s back to it. Popov with wrist control. Inside knee from Popov before he takes Nascimento down again. Popov presses on one of Nascimento’s legs again. Knees from Popov. Nascimento gets back to his feet. Another knee from Popov. Another takedown. Another combination from knees and left hands from Popov. Knees from Popov. Popov continues to do damage, with Nascimento’s offense completely neutralized.

 

 

Round 2

 

Hooks from both men to start. One-two from Nascimento. Popov with a level change and another easy takedown. And now he has Nascimento on his back. Left hands from Popov. Another left from Popov as Nascimento tries to work his way to the fence. Popov trying to control Nascimento’s hips. Popov lands inside strikes again, meanwhile his legs again try to keep either of Nascimento’s down.

 

 

Nascimento gets back to his feet, and now he’s in a body lock of Popov’s against the fence. Battle for control of the clinch from here. Popov puts all of his weight on Nascimento against the SmartCage. Nascimento with double underhooks, while Popov pummels. The referee breaks them up and returns them to the standing position with 100 seconds left. Both men land inside, and Popov drags Nascimento over to the fence. Popov with double underhooks and he looks for another takedown. He tries for another, while the referee warns for inactivity again. A single-leg takedown from Popov, but Nascimento keeps a hold of the head and sprawls. He lands a knee on the separation. Popov presses him into the fence before the end of the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

Left hand from Popov. Hard right hand from Popov hurts Nascimento! Popov presses him into the fence. Strong elbow from Popov. Popov presses Nascimento more and works on the inside. Left hand from Popov before another takedown attempt. A couple of more left hands from Popov. Left hand on the separation. A strong right hand from Popov before he presses him into the fence once more. Knee by Popov. Left hands from Popov. The referee warns him for inactivity. Popov with a short elbow. Small knee from Popov.

 

 

A separation now. Left hand from Popov. Nascimento with a left hook, followed by a couple of jabs. Right hand from Popov before an unsuccessful takedown. Left hand from Nascimento. Popov with a level change, and he backs Nascimento into the fence again. Nascimento works himself off the fence. Jab from Popov. Leg kick from Popov. Jabs from both men. Left hand from Nascimento. Low kick from Popov. Left hook from Popov. Left hand by Nascimento. Right hook from Popov. Rushing left hand from Popov. Nascimento misses a knee as Popov presses again. One-two from Nascimento. Nascimento with a strong flurry to end, but it’s no use.

 

Dominant display by Oleg Popov.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Oleg Popov def. Rodrigo Nascimento via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)