PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akimbo Spice (ranked 1929 p4p, 2914 weight class) and Salvatore Coppola (ranked 241 p4p, 332 weight class). Coppola has chosen Duality as his entrance music. Akimbo Spice is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Spice
vs
Coppola

194 cm
43
207
28 - 23 - 1

201 cm
31
210
15 - 33 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Sakura Style

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 28 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akimbo Spice!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 33 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salvatore Coppola!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Spice has closed the distance and engaged Coppola in a clinch.
Coppola with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Spice swings wildly with an uppercut but Coppola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spice lands a nice shot to the body.
Coppola blocks a body shot from Spice.
Spice misses with a punch to the body.
Spice lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Coppola is looking to control Spice's arms but Spice gets an underhook and turns him. Now Coppola has his back to the cage.
Spice tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Spice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spice lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spice lands a shoulder strike.

Coppola escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spice tries a head kick but it misses.
Spice takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Coppola darts in looking for a takedown but Spice gets double underhooks and turns Coppola into the cage.

Coppola closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spice lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Coppola tries to land a knee to the head but Spice blocks with his arms.
Spice lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spice lands an uppercut.
Spice on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spice managing to block the knees to the body from Coppola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spice doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Coppola fails to land.
Coppola creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Spice has a couple of punches blocked by Coppola.
Spice can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
A short right from Spice on the inside.
Spice can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
Spice lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Coppola or not.
Coppola's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Spice softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Coppola.
Spice goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Spice.

Coppola is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Spice can't fight it off and eventually Coppola manages to take the fight to the floor. Spice looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Spice keeping moving, preventing Coppola from controlling successfully.
Coppola has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Spice is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coppola trying to control but Spice is working from the bottom.

Coppola drops back, looking for a kneebar! Spice looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Spice looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Spice!

This has been an exciting period of action!
Coppola misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Coppola trying his best to control but Spice has mounted him.
Coppola is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coppola swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Coppola is looking to improve his position but Spice isn't that keen on the idea.
Coppola gets back to half guard.
Coppola moves into full guard.

Coppola is looking for a triangle here but Spice uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Spice gets to mount! Coppola was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Spice tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Spice takes Coppola's back, avoiding a couple of desperation strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coppola rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Coppola has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spice is working away from the top position though.

Coppola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Coppola looking for submissions off his back.
Coppola wants to get back to full guard.
Coppola is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akimbo Spice dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spice is looking to land body kicks.
Spice works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Coppola throws a head kick that misses.

Spice rushes Coppola and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Spice tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coppola's elbow.
Coppola has had enough of the clinch but Spice keeps him there for the moment.
Spice lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Coppola backwards.
Spice misses with a hook to the ribs.
Coppola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spice tries to throw a body punch but Coppola avoids it by throwing Spice back against the cage.
Spice takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Akimbo Spice has been cut.
Coppola lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Spice working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Spice struggles to land a body shot inside as Coppola controls his hands.
I was talking to Spice's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Spice misses with a punch on the inside.
Coppola throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Spice tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coppola's elbow.
Spice is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Coppola can do to turn this around?
Spice lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coppola prevents a body shot from Spice.
Coppola lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spice backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spice tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coppola's elbow.
Coppola lands with a left to the head.
Spice prevents a body shot from Coppola.
Coppola tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A right hand to the body from Spice.
Spice lands an uppercut.

Coppola has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Spice uses from the top position.
Coppola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Coppola has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Spice is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Coppola.
Coppola is looking to reverse the position.

Spice decides to stand back up. Spice steps back and let's Coppola get back to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Coppola darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Spice jabs Coppola right on the nose. Coppola blinks but takes it well.
Akimbo Spice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coppola closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spice circles away.
Spice is looking to slow Coppola down with leg kicks.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Spice lands a lovely overhand right.
Spice avoids the head kick by Coppola.
Coppola throws a head kick that Spice semi-blocks.
Akimbo Spice is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Coppola.
Spice throws a body shot but no joy.

Spice moves into range and clinches up with Coppola.
Spice working aggressively here.
Spice can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
Coppola throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spice blocks it with crossed arms.
Spice is leaning against Coppola and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Spice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Coppola takes a shot to the head.
Spice tries to work over Coppola's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spice misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spice tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Coppola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Coppola looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spice misses with a body punch.
Spice presses Coppola against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Coppola tries a knee to the head but Spice blocks it.
Spice can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
Coppola tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Coppola prevents a body shot from Spice.
Spice lands a body punch in the clinch.
Coppola looking to throw knees to the head but Spice is blocking nicely.
A short body shot lands from Spice as the two fighters clinch.
Coppola is breathing heavily.
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Spice lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Spice misses with a hook to the ribs.
Spice pushes Coppola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Spice.
A frustrated look appears on Coppola's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Spice tries to work over Coppola's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Coppola with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short right from Spice on the inside.
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coppola is trying to maintain a safe position but Spice gets an underhook and turns Coppola into the cage.
Spice pushes Coppola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Coppola wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice body punch from Spice.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Spice misses with a body punch.
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Coppola's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Spice tries a body shot but Coppola blocks it.
Spice can't find room to land a body shot as Coppola controls the action.
Spice lands a left hand.
Akimbo Spice has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Coppola is trying to force a seperation but Spice has the dominant position.
Coppola prevents a body shot from Spice.
Coppola looking to throw knees to the head but Spice is blocking nicely.
A short left from Spice.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Spice creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Spice.
Spice lands a left hand that snaps the head of Coppola backwards.
Coppola looking to throw knees to the head but Spice is blocking nicely.
Spice tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akimbo Spice dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Akimbo Spice's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Spice drives through and clinches with Coppola against the cage.
Coppola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Spice misses with a punch to the body.
Spice lands a left hand.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Spice misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spice lands a shoulder strike.
Spice lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Coppola backwards.
Spice goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spice makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Spice lands a right hand that snaps the head of Coppola backwards.
Spice lands with a left to the head.
Coppola wants a takedown but no success here.
Coppola has had enough of the clinch but Spice keeps him there for the moment.
Spice lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spice makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Spice lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short uppercut from Spice.
Spice tries a body shot but Coppola blocks it.
Coppola takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Coppola prevents a body shot from Spice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spice lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Coppola lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Spice.

Coppola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Spice pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Spice pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Spice 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Coppola misses with a head kick.

Spice has Coppola up against the cage in a clinch.
Spice gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Coppola.
Good body shot from Spice.
Spice lands a hook that snaps the head of Coppola backwards.
Spice blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Coppola taking a breather.
Coppola takes a shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Coppola looking to slow down the pace here.
Coppola wants to break free but Spice has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Spice.
Spice working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Coppola throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spice blocks it with crossed arms.
Spice lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spice lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Spice scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short left from Spice.
Spice tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coppola's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Spice.
Spice tries a body shot but Coppola blocks it.
Spice tries to throw a body punch but Coppola avoids it by throwing Spice back against the cage.
Spice takes a knee right on the jaw!
Coppola throws a knee to the head but misses.
Coppola prevents a body shot from Spice.
A right hand to the body from Spice.
Spice lands with a right to the head.
Coppola tries to land a knee to the head but Spice blocks with his arms.
Spice digs a right hand underneath Coppola's ribcage. Coppola let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spice pushes Coppola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spice lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Coppola or not.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spice.
Spice lands a body shot in the clinch.
Coppola tries a body shot but Spice blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Spice.
Spice lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spice cracks Coppola with a nice body shot.
Spice lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Akimbo Spice is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spice avoids the elbow strike from Coppola, against the cage.
Spice lands a body punch.
Spice lands with a right to the head.
Spice tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coppola's elbow.
Coppola jumps guard but Spice turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Akimbo Spice has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salvatore Coppola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coppola with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Coppola looking to throw knees to the head but Spice is blocking nicely.
Coppola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Coppola is trying to pull guard but Spice turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short right from Spice on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Coppola with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Coppola goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spice prevents it.
Coppola is trying to stall.
Coppola misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akimbo Spice showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spice, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akimbo Spice!
A relieved looking Akimbo Spice thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.