PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hendrix Cabrera (ranked 1241 p4p, 1763 weight class) and Andy Kopecki (ranked 150 p4p, 209 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cabrera
vs
Kopecki

185 cm
32
185
18 - 12 - 1

187 cm
29
190
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Conviction

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Hendrix Cabrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andy Kopecki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Sosuke Kotani and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cabrera decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kopecki tries to kick Cabrera off in order to stand up. Cabrera Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Cabrera is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Kopecki prevents Cabrera from moving into mount.
Kopecki is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cabrera has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kopecki is being controlled here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cabrera wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kopecki, who protects the arm well.
Kopecki is trying to buck Cabrera off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopecki can't do much from the bottom here.
Kopecki is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Cabrera is controlling him well.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cabrera trying to control the action but Kopecki is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Cabrera has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kopecki throws a body shot but no joy.
Cabrera tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cabrera misses with a two punch combination.
Cabrera moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Cabrera has managed to clinch.
Cabrera works on Kopecki's body with a couple of short punches.
Cabrera has Kopecki pressed against the cage, preventing Kopecki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki lands with a short shot to the head.

It looks like Hendrix Cabrera has been cut.
Kopecki blocks a body shot from Cabrera.

Kopecki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Cabrera.
Kopecki throws a fast counter high kick but Cabrera manages to duck under it in time.
Kopecki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kopecki avoids the body shot from Cabrera.
Cabrera backing away here, and Kopecki unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cabrera throws a sloppy head kick
and Kopecki counters with a right hand to the body.
Kopecki throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kopecki lands a leg kick that knocks Cabrera off balance momentarily.
Cabrera takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cabrera misses with a few strikes there.
Cabrera tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kopecki counters with a right hand to the body.
A head kick misses from Kopecki.
Cabrera takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Cabrera has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Cabrera throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kopecki.
Cabrera takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hendrix Cabrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera slips a straight right by Kopecki.
Kopecki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kopecki wants it to stay on the feet.
Kopecki swings for the body but Cabrera moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cabrera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kopecki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Andy Kopecki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kopecki misses with the combination.
Kopecki throws out a loose jab but Cabrera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kopecki lands with a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Cabrera. That snapped Kopecki's head back.
Cabrera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kopecki throws out the jab.
Kopecki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kopecki smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cabrera ducks under a wild hook from Kopecki.
Kopecki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cabrera shoots in and drives through. Kopecki sprawls well.
Kopecki throws a body punch but Cabrera moves out of range.
Cabrera is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Kopecki misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cabrera takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice sprawl there from Kopecki as Cabrera shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hendrix Cabrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cabrera keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kopecki.
Kopecki lands a body shot.
Cabrera takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kopecki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.
A jab from Cabrera misses.
Kopecki stuns Cabrera with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kopecki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kopecki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kopecki misses the jab.

Cabrera drives through with a takedown into Kopecki's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cabrera is stalling in the full guard.
Kopecki pulls Cabrera in close to his closed guard and prevents Cabrera from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Kopecki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
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.

Kopecki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cabrera.
A swing and a miss from Kopecki.
Hendrix Cabrera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cabrera tries to clinch up.
Cabrera takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kopecki throws a head kick but Cabrera moves out of range.
Cabrera looks to land a combination but Kopecki avoids it well.
Kopecki takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cabrera lands a head kick. Kopecki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kopecki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cabrera was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Cabrera gets the takedown into side control.
Kopecki is looking to get back to his feet here but Cabrera is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kopecki's back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cabrera avoiding Kopecki 's attempts to control his hands.
Will Cabrera go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopecki turns into Cabrera and is now in his guard.

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

Cabrera is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kopecki pulls his head out easily.
Kopecki controlling the action here.
Cabrera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kopecki.
Kopecki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Kopecki stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Cabrera to get to his feet.
Andy Kopecki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cabrera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kopecki.
Cabrera misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kopecki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kopecki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cabrera rather than just go for the knockout.
Cabrera moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Cabrera closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cabrera lands in his opponent's guard.
Cabrera has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cabrera trying to control the position from guard on top but Kopecki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabrera is stalling in the full guard.
Cabrera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kopecki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Kopecki keeps moving.
Cabrera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kopecki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cabrera tries to roll over but Kopecki keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hendrix Cabrera will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cabrera stuns Kopecki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cabrera wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cabrera scores with a decent looking hook.
Cabrera takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cabrera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It seemed like Kopecki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kopecki lands a jab to the head.
Kopecki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cabrera smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Cabrera scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cabrera with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cabrera is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kopecki reverses the position - he's now on top in Cabrera's guard.
Kopecki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cabrera is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kopecki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cabrera throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Cabrera seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cabrera is trying to keep Kopecki in close.

Kopecki gets to his feet - Cabrera follows without any prompting.

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.
Cabrera throws a head kick that misses

and Kopecki counters by clinching up.

Kopecki breaks from the clinch.
Kopecki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kopecki looks to throw the jab but Cabrera is out of range.

Cabrera manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kopecki on his heels. He'll look to pass Kopecki's guard now, I'm sure.

Kopecki has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Cabrera is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Kopecki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cabrera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kopecki can pounce on him.
Kopecki misses with a body kick.
Kopecki jabs Cabrera to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cabrera avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kopecki bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cabrera tries to clinch but Kopecki moves out of range.
It seemed like Kopecki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kopecki explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kopecki looks to land a right hand but Cabrera moved out of range.
Kopecki feints and then cracks Cabrera's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cabrera down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kopecki blocks a head kick by Cabrera.
Cabrera slips under a jab.
Cabrera moves away from the strike by Kopecki.
Kopecki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A head kick by Cabrera misses
and Kopecki counters with a slapping leg kick.
Cabrera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kopecki.
Kopecki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kopecki swings for the body but Cabrera moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Kopecki.
Kopecki lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cabrera throws a head kick that misses.
Kopecki tests Cabrera's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cabrera misses with a head kick.
Kopecki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kopecki throws a shot from downtown. Cabrera moves away and avoids it.
Kopecki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera lands with a slapping head kick.
Cabrera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kopecki! But no joy.
Kopecki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kopecki is looking to score with low kicks.
Kopecki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cabrera.
Cabrera moves to clinch but Kopecki breaks away
and Kopecki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cabrera throws a head kick that misses

and Kopecki counters by clinching up.

Kopecki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kopecki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cabrera is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cabrera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kopecki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cabrera sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cabrera with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kopecki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Kopecki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kopecki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Kopecki!
A very excited looking Andy Kopecki made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.