PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Couture (ranked 3279 p4p, 25439 weight class) and The Man The Legend (ranked 361 p4p, 509 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Couture
vs
The Legend

183 cm
26
172
3 - 4 - 0

189 cm
26
183
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raphael Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, The Man The Legend!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Legend swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Couture swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Couture swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The Legend throws a lazy right hand but Couture sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The Legend gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like The Man The Legend has been cut.
The Legend lands a jab to Couture's midsection.
The Legend slips a jab from Couture.
The Legend scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Couture moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The Legend scores with a jab to the body.
The Legend throws out a powerful jab.
The Legend swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The Legend lands a body shot.
The Legend swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The Legend misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.
Couture throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling The Legend to counter with a crisp jab.
The Legend slips a jab from Couture.
The Legend misses with a hook. Couture ducked under it nicely.
The Legend lands a jab to the nose.
The Legend throws out a loose jab but Couture uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice combination there by The Legend.
Couture fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The Legend throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couture sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Legend lands a right hook to the body.
The Legend looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The Legend throws a one two combo.

The Legend shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Couture's guard.
Couture controlling The Legend's posture.
Couture's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in The Legend's guard.

Couture looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Couture pushing down on The Legend's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Still in half guard, Couture seems content to control.
Couture tries to pass the half guard into mount. The Legend knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Couture controlling the action here.
Couture wants to pass the guard but The Legend is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Couture 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.
Couture has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Further stalling from Couture.
Couture is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Couture sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The Legend is working to get back to half guard.
Couture controlling his opponent.
Couture seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but The Legend is holding on tight.
Couture moves to take his opponent's back.
Couture controlling the position well here. The Legend rolled but Couture kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Man The Legend dominated that round.
The cut man is working on The Man The Legend's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The Legend connects with a right hand. Couture shakes it off.
Couture throws a poor cross that misses
and The Legend counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The Legend has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The Legend stuns Couture with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Couture slips a jab from The Legend.
Couture bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Couture misses with a hook. The Legend ducked under it nicely.
The Legend lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The Legend clobbers Couture with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The Legend just misses with a punch to the body.
Couture misses with a left hand
enabling The Legend to counter with a crisp jab.
The Legend avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Couture has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
The Legend ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
The Legend moves away from the strike by Couture.
The Legend wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Legend fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice body punch from The Legend.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by The Legend.
A big right from Couture misses.
Couture gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture throws out a loose jab but The Legend uses good head movement to avoid it.
The Legend lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Couture throws a hook but The Legend blocks it.
The Legend lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Couture misses with a left hand
and The Legend counters with a straight right hand.
Couture thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Couture is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The Legend slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Couture moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Couture misses the target.
Couture displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as The Legend throws out the jab.
The Legend comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - The Legend scores with a four punch combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The Legend moves out of range of the strikes.
Couture is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. The Legend moves away and avoids it.
The Legend rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice jab there from Couture.
The Legend looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Couture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Legend ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The Legend staying out of range there.
A jab from Couture misses.
The Legend swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Couture on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Couture looks to throw the jab but The Legend is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Couture misses the target.
The Legend throws out a counter right but Couture avoids it with no problem.
The Legend rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Couture misses with a lunging right hand
and Couture takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The Legend avoids the body shot from Couture.
A decent looking cross lands there for The Legend.
Raphael Couture is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Couture takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The Legend misses with a body shot.
The Legend ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Couture moves away.
The Legend misses with an uppercut. Couture saw that one coming.
The Legend steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Couture.
The Legend slips under a jab from Couture.
The Legend connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Couture misses with a right hand
enabling The Legend to counter with a crisp jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for The Legend.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws a jab but it's blocked by The Legend.
Couture throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling The Legend to counter with a crisp jab.
Couture swings for the body but The Legend moves out of range.
The Legend misses with a jab, cross combination.
Decent striking displayed by The Legend there.
The fighters circling - Couture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

The Legend clinches.
The Legend misses with a hook to the ribs.

The Legend has Couture pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. The Legend pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Couture tumbling to the mat - The Legend dives into Couture's guard.
Couture bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in The Legend's guard.

Couture showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Couture passes The Legend's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Couture seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The Legend has a hand on Couture's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Couture takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Couture controlling his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Legend is trying to escape the mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Man The Legend showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on The Man The Legend's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The Legend catches Couture with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The Legend moves away from the strike by Couture.
Couture waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract The Legend.
The Legend misses with a looping right.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from The Legend.
Nice shot lands for The Legend.
Couture slips a jab from The Legend.
Couture misses with a straight right.
Couture gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Couture misses with a straight left.
The Legend ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Nice defenses there by The Legend.
Couture misses with a hook.
Raphael Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Couture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The Legend slips a straight right by Couture.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The Legend lands a head shot.
The Legend keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Couture.
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!
Couture throws a jab but it's blocked by The Legend.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture misses with a hook. The Legend ducked under it nicely.
The Legend digs a good hook to Couture's body.
The Legend slips a jab from Couture.
The Legend connects with the punch.
Couture throws a poor cross that misses
and The Legend counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Couture swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The Legend moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The Legend scores with a crisp jab that stopped Couture in his tracks.
The Legend looks to score with a jab to the body but Couture is just out of range.
Couture throws an off balance right hand
and The Legend makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The fighters circling - The Legend throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Couture throws a lazy uppercut
and The Legend counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - The Legend throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Couture takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Couture throws the left hand but The Legend avoids the punch easily.
The Legend doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The Legend throws a jab but it's blocked by Couture.
The Legend loads up on a big right hand but Couture slips the punch.
Couture loads up on a big right hand but The Legend slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture thows a left - swing and a miss!
The Legend walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The Legend blocks a jab.
Nice defenses there by Couture.
Couture throws a hook but The Legend blocks it.
Couture looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Couture getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Couture throws a jab but it's blocked by The Legend.
The Legend dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The Legend throws a right hand that Couture ducks under and follows up with a left that Couture also avoids with ease.
Couture loads up on a big right hand but The Legend slips the punch.
Couture throws a looping overhand right but The Legend ducks down to avoid it.
Couture on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Couture on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The Legend lands a nice looking body shot.
The Legend takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
The Legend misses with a few strikes there.
The Legend moves out of range of the strikes.
The Legend throws a lazy right hand but Couture sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The Man The Legend seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A decent looking cross lands there for The Legend.
Couture thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture throws an uppercut from half a mile away. The Legend sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The Legend misses the jab.
Couture needs to keep his hands up - The Legend had a free shot at his head there.
The Legend misses with a straight right.
Couture displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as The Legend throws out the jab.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Couture takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

The Legend clinches.
The Legend struggles to land a body shot inside as Couture controls his hands.
The Legend tries a body shot but Couture blocks it.
Couture lands with a light punch inside.
Couture lands a body shot.
The Legend takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A left hand lands to the body for Couture.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Couture.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Couture softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Couture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture lands with a right to the head.
Couture lands a left hand.
Couture lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short left from Couture.
Good body shot from Couture.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Couture.
Couture is leaning against The Legend and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Couture lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Couture displaying some good clinch control by pressing The Legend up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Couture scores with a nice short uppercut.

Couture manages to pull guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Couture working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. The Legend doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Couture is tightening it up a little... The Legend has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! The Legend reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! The Legend taps out! Nice BJJ there by Couture!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Raphael Couture!