PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abel Koponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacinto Koutras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jacinto Koutras has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Koponen
vs
Koutras

187 cm
30
215 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

180 cm
30
210 lbs
8 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abel Koponen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jacinto Koutras!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koponen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Koutras paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Koponen lands with a right hand.

It looks like Jacinto Koutras has been cut.
Koponen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koponen clobbers Koutras with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Koponen misses with a body punch

and Koutras counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Koutras is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Koponen pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Koutras gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Koponen regains guard.
Koutras must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Koponen is trying to control the position but Koutras postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Koponen looking for a guillotine here but Koutras defends easily.

Koutras is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Koponen has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Koutras is looking to defend but Koponen has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Koutras! Koponen pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Koutras taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Abel Koponen!
A very excited looking Abel Koponen 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.