PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Salvatore Coppola (ranked 3573 p4p, 3087 weight class) and Hyseon Whang (ranked 449 p4p, 392 weight class). Coppola comes to the cage accompanied by Duality. Salvatore Coppola could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hyseon Whang's chin.

Coppola
vs
Whang

201 cm
23
210
4 - 14 - 0

180 cm
23
215
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 4 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salvatore Coppola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hyseon Whang!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coppola tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Whang is able to avoid easily.
Coppola looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Coppola will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Whang takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Whang shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Whang showed some decent athleticism there.
Coppola wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Coppola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Whang pulls his head out easily.
Whang is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Whang is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Whang is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Coppola is just riding it out for now. Whang eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Whang is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Coppola looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Whang is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Whang looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Coppola sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Coppola actively working from the bottom here.

Whang wants to work for an arm triangle but Coppola is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Whang is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Coppola sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Whang is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Coppola has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Whang is working away from the top position though.
Whang wants to lay and pray for a moment but Coppola keeps working.

Coppola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Whang is looking for a kimura here.
Coppola is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Coppola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Whang is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whang is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Coppola looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Whang is working for a submission of some sort.

Coppola looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Whang should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Whang is looking for a kimura here.

That's four 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Coppola manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Coppola keeping moving, preventing Whang from controlling successfully.
Whang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Coppola escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Whang gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Coppola is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Coppola has an active guard here but Whang has managed to pass into half guard.

Coppola manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Whang keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whang connects with a good right hand that stumbles Coppola. Coppola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Whang shoots in for a takedown but Coppola shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Coppola seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Coppola throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Whang was covering up waiting for the punch and Coppola finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hyseon Whang has got the better of the ground game so far.
Whang lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Whang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Coppola working a defensive guard here.
Whang stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Coppola swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Whang passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coppola moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Coppola looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Coppola looking for subs off his back but Whang has passed one foot through into half guard.

Whang is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Coppola has managed to free his arm - good work.
Whang is pressing down on Coppola's thigh, looking to free his foot. Coppola is holding on for now.

Whang is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Coppola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Whang has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Beast Nest. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Coppola manages to get to full guard.
Coppola is trying to control the position but Whang postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whang passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Whang trying to control the action but Coppola is working from the bottom.
Coppola is trying to improve his position.
Coppola is not content to let Whang control the position.

Whang is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Coppola is trying to escape and Whang transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Coppola is forced to tap! Nice work there by Whang! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hyseon Whang!