PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Folito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nati Kuperman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ray Folito has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Folito
vs
Kuperman

179 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

187 cm
22
183 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ray Folito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nati Kuperman!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuperman tries to keep at a distance but Folito has taken the fight into the clinch.
Folito changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuperman fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Folito scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kuperman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kuperman is trying to control but can't.
Kuperman tries to get to full guard but Folito has control of the leg.

Folito stands up from half guard.
Folito shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuperman as he jumps to the side.
Folito is breathing heavily.

Folito gets caught flat footed, as Kuperman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kuperman sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuperman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuperman trying to control the position from guard on top but Folito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Folito throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Folito trying to control the position.
Kuperman trying to control but Folito is working from the bottom.
Folito controls Kuperman momentarily but Kuperman frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kuperman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Folito!
Kuperman controlling his opponent.
Folito wants to control but Kuperman is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folito is working to get back to half guard.
Folito tries to lock up and control but Kuperman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kuperman controlling his opponent.
Kuperman in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Kuperman content just to control the position here.
Folito keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Folito tries to lock up and control but Kuperman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Folito has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
I really don't envy Folito right now.

Kuperman looking to break Folito's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Folito remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kuperman will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Folito turns into Kuperman and is now in his guard.

Kuperman had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Folito is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kuperman Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Folito's back instead.
Kuperman is working the ground and pound. Can Folito escape?

Folito showing good submission defense here.
Folito rolls, trying to escape but Kuperman keeps control of the position.
What can Folito do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Kuperman avoiding Folito 's attempts to control his hands.
Kuperman is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Folito. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuperman is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Folito is defending well though. Kuperman let's go of the attempt for now.

Kuperman tightening his grip on Folito, looking for the choke.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
You can see the frustration on Folito's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kuperman is landing with strikes from the back.
Folito has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Kuperman is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Folito taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Kuperman.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nati Kuperman!