PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Salvatore Coppola (ranked 23335 p4p, 3509 weight class) and Idrissa Dieng (ranked 615 p4p, 432 weight class). Coppola comes to the cage accompanied by Duality. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Coppola
vs
Dieng

201 cm
20
210
1 - 6 - 0

193 cm
22
203
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salvatore Coppola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Idrissa Dieng!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coppola swats away the attempt to clinch by Dieng.
Dieng ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Coppola moves to clinch but Dieng breaks away
and Coppola takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Coppola is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dieng.
Dieng tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dieng throws a head kick but Coppola moves out of range.
Dieng fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Coppola looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Dieng.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Coppola.
Dieng lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dieng tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Dieng. No joy for Coppola on that attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dieng.
Dieng throws a front kick that sends Coppola stumbling back into the cage.
A good leg kick by Dieng.
Dieng throws a shot to the body.
Dieng throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dieng wants to clinch up but Coppola keeps it at a distance.
Coppola walks forward, straight into a front kick from Dieng.

Dieng tries to sprawl but Coppola drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dieng is trying to stand back up but Coppola is controlling him

Coppola stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Dieng to get to his feet.
Coppola looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coppola will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Coppola dodges the punch combination from Dieng.
Coppola takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Coppola showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dieng.
No luck for Dieng with that takedown attempt.
Dieng has a takedown stuffed.
Coppola went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Dieng misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Coppola was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dieng throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Dieng misses with a combination
and Coppola counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Coppola defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dieng.
Salvatore Coppola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Idrissa Dieng.
Crunch! Dieng slams his shin into Coppola's torso.
Dieng fails to land the takedown.
As Dieng looks to move away, Coppola throws a big counter combo but Dieng just gets out of the way.

Coppola closes the distance and pushes Dieng back into the cage.
Dieng goes for a takedown in the clinch but Coppola prevents it.
Coppola goes for a takedown attempt but Dieng pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dieng fails with a takedown attempt.
Dieng throws the kick towards the body but Coppola avoids it.
Coppola wants to clinch.
Dieng swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Coppola moves into the clinch.

Coppola escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dieng throws a sloppy head kick and Coppola moves out of range easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Idrissa Dieng dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Horrible takedown attempt by Coppola or perhaps it was just good defense by Dieng, which made it look bad.
Dieng throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Coppola.
Dieng ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dieng stalks Coppola and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Coppola's face. Coppola staggers backwards, shaken.
Dieng misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Dieng. Those never looked like landing.
Coppola is looking for a counter combo.
Dieng digs a good body shot into Coppola's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coppola dodges the punch combination from Dieng.
Dieng is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dieng has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coppola walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Coppola tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dieng defends well and Coppola ends up having to push Dieng into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Coppola has Dieng pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dieng manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Salvatore Coppola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Coppola wants a takedown but no success here.
Dieng lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Coppola or not.

Dieng manages to break the clinch.
Dieng punishes Coppola's body with a nice straight punch.
Dieng misses with a double jab.
Coppola throws a counter high kick but Dieng was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dieng scores with a jab to the body.
Dieng throws a head kick that misses.

Dieng darts in and clinches Coppola up against the cage.

Dieng escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Dieng. Coppola shrugs it off though.
Coppola shoots in and drives through. Dieng sprawls well.
Dieng digs a good body shot into Coppola's ribs.
Idrissa Dieng seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dieng will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dieng scores with a three punch combo!
Dieng shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Coppola as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dieng lands a two punch combo.
Dieng fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dieng stuffs the takedown.
Dieng shapes to counter with a head kick.
Dieng misses with a wild combination.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Dieng - that will leave a mark!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Dieng, as that shot connected.
Dieng throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dieng fails with a takedown attempt.
Dieng throws a sloppy head kick and Coppola moves out of range easily.
Coppola keeps the fight on the outside.
Dieng throws a series of strikes that have Coppola backpedaling.
Dieng ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dieng cracks a nice hook into Coppola's ribs.
Coppola on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dieng is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Coppola rather than just go for the knockout.

Coppola drives through and clinches with Dieng against the cage.

Dieng breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Idrissa Dieng showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Coppola's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Dieng throws a half hearted mid kick.
A little feinted left hand from Coppola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Coppola on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Dieng clinches up with Coppola and pushes him back against the cage.

Dieng escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dieng lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Coppola backs up against the cage.
Idrissa Dieng seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dieng avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dieng slaps away a takedown attempt from Coppola, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dieng scores with a head kick.
Dieng lands with a nice combination. Coppola backs away looking to recover.

Coppola darts in and clinches Dieng up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dieng is trying to break the clinch but Coppola is controlling him.

Coppola decides to pull guard.

Coppola is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dieng wants to stand but Coppola is controlling his posture from full guard.

Coppola throws his legs up looking for a submission but Dieng uses it to pass to side control.
Coppola tries to bench press Dieng off him but Dieng keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dieng has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Salvatore Coppola is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dieng throws a half hearted mid kick.
Coppola seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Dieng misses with a two punch combination.
Coppola looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Dieng scores with a nice body kick.
Coppola darts in looking for a takedown but Dieng gets double underhooks and turns Coppola into the cage.
Dieng can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
Coppola wants to take the fight to the mat but Dieng manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Salvatore Coppola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dieng looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Dieng's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Dieng pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dieng misses with a few strikes there.
Dieng looks to land a combination. Coppola sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Dieng works Coppola's body with a nice hook.
Coppola takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Dieng lands a nice looking body shot.
Dieng tries a head kick but it misses.
Dieng throws a head kick but Coppola moves out of range.
Dieng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dieng stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dieng wants it to stay on the feet.
Coppola takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Dieng misses.
Idrissa Dieng is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Coppola shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dieng as he jumps to the side.
Dieng throws a series of punches but Coppola avoids them all with ease.
Salvatore Coppola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head kick misses from Coppola.
Dieng connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Coppola's hands.
Dieng darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dieng throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Coppola counters with a three punch combo that has Dieng backing up. Dieng nods at Coppola to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dieng cracks Coppola with a good jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Idrissa Dieng comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dieng winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Idrissa Dieng!