PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Petr Kopylenko (ranked 5206 p4p, 0 weight class) and Callum Butcher (ranked 5084 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kopylenko
vs
Butcher

169 cm
25
136 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

166 cm
25
136 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Petr Kopylenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Callum Butcher!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butcher tries to clinch but Kopylenko is having none of it.

Kopylenko tries to sprawl but Butcher drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kopylenko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kopylenko tries to get out of the position.
Butcher looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kopylenko has his hands clasped together around Butcher's back. He's all about the action.
Butcher scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Butcher working the head and body with strikes.
Kopylenko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Butcher is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher lands strikes from half guard.
Kopylenko keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Kopylenko looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopylenko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Butcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kopylenko working for a triangle but Butcher defends it easily.
Butcher is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Butcher landing some decent shots from guard.
Kopylenko trying to keep a closed guard but Butcher is proving a slippery customer.
Kopylenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kopylenko is trying to keep Butcher in close.
Kopylenko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Butcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kopylenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kopylenko trying to strike off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butcher lands a couple of elbows.
Kopylenko has momentary wrist control but Butcher slips an elbow through the middle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kopylenko is on top in guard.

Butcher looking for a sweep. Not yet Butcher, not yet.
Kopylenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kopylenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Butcher is keeping the position for now.
Butcher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kopylenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher wants to sweep here but Kopylenko controlling him for the moment.
Kopylenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kopylenko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Butcher has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kopylenko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Kopylenko with that takedown attempt.
Callum Butcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch but Kopylenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kopylenko appears to be looking for a big counter.

Butcher shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Kopylenko kicks Butcher off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Butcher has Kopylenko up against the cage in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Butcher wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Butcher turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Butcher manages to end up in side control.
Kopylenko manages to work his way to half guard, despite Butcher's best efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Callum Butcher will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Butcher tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kopylenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Butcher misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kopylenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Butcher is fending him off so far but Kopylenko persists. Nope, Butcher circles away and we're back to standing.
And Butcher tries to counter it with a takedown but Kopylenko pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
Butcher drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Butcher gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kopylenko.
Butcher wants a takedown.
Petr Kopylenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Callum Butcher.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher is working for takedown but Kopylenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kopylenko lands a knee to the body.

Kopylenko breaks the clinch.
Kopylenko lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopylenko leaves Butcher with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Butcher rushes Kopylenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Butcher has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kopylenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short right from Kopylenko.

Kopylenko manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Kopylenko pushes Butcher off and gets back to his feet.
Butcher fails with an attempt to clinch.
Butcher tries to clinch but Kopylenko moves away
and Kopylenko counters with a slapping leg kick.
Butcher avoids the body shot from Kopylenko.
Butcher tries to clinch there but Kopylenko circles away.
No luck for Butcher with that takedown attempt.

Kopylenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Butcher's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Kopylenko from controlling successfully.
Kopylenko is stalling in the full guard.
Kopylenko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Petr Kopylenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kopylenko wants to pass to mount but Butcher is defending the position.
Butcher is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopylenko is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Butcher is trying is best to control the position here.

Kopylenko decides to return to a standing position.
Kopylenko scores with a shot to the body.

Butcher moves into the clinch.

Kopylenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Butcher fails with an attempt to clinch.
Butcher is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Butcher has closed the distance and engaged Kopylenko in a clinch.
Butcher wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Butcher works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Kopylenko has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Butcher has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kopylenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Butcher is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Kopylenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kopylenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kopylenko slowing the pace effectively.

Kopylenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kopylenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Butcher sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Butcher misses with a takedown attempt - Kopylenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kopylenko appears to be looking for a big counter.

Kopylenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Butcher manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petr Kopylenko dominated that second round.
That's time! Kopylenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kopylenko throws a right and a left that Butcher avoids nicely.

Butcher shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Kopylenko manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Petr Kopylenko is winning the standup battle so far.

Kopylenko rushes Butcher and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kopylenko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Butcher.
Butcher has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kopylenko after a bit of a struggle.
Kopylenko can't get the takedown.
Butcher tries for a takedown but Kopylenko manages to get underhooks.
Petr Kopylenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Callum Butcher.

Kopylenko manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kopylenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Butcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kopylenko looking for a guillotine here but Butcher defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Butcher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kopylenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Butcher has managed to get both his arms back between Kopylenko's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Butcher throws a strike but Kopylenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Butcher is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kopylenko presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Butcher's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Kopylenko has Butcher pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kopylenko pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Butcher tumbling to the mat - Kopylenko dives into Butcher's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Kopylenko from controlling successfully.
Kopylenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Butcher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kopylenko wants to control from the top but Butcher keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopylenko with a nice head shot there.
Kopylenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Butcher can do to turn this around?
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Kopylenko from controlling successfully.
Kopylenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Butcher misses with a takedown attempt - Kopylenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kopylenko gets a double leg takedown into Butcher's guard.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kopylenko drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Butcher manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kopylenko has Butcher in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kopylenko looking for a guillotine here but Butcher defends easily.
Butcher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kopylenko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopylenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Butcher distracts Kopylenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

And that's the end of the fight!
Petr Kopylenko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kopylenko 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petr Kopylenko!