PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Kosugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felipe Copello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Kosugi
vs
Copello

188 cm
28
210 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
222 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ichiro Kosugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Felipe Copello!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Kosugi.

It looks like Felipe Copello has been cut.
Copello slips a straight right by Kosugi.
Some wild striking there from Kosugi.
Kosugi misses with a double jab.
Copello slaps away a takedown attempt from Kosugi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kosugi lands a two punch combo.
Copello walks into a straight right hand from Kosugi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kosugi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kosugi there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Ichiro Kosugi has been cut.
Kosugi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A combination from Copello does no damage.
Copello misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kosugi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Copello misses with a combination

and Kosugi counters with a shoot takedown. Copello fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Copello controls Kosugi momentarily but Kosugi frees himself.
Copello has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Skylab Vegas. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kosugi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kosugi with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Copello trying to control the position.
Kosugi landing some decent shots from guard.
Kosugi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi postures up in Copello's guard and throws a big left but Copello blocks it.
Kosugi trying to control but Copello is working from the bottom.
Kosugi is looking to work some ground and pound but Copello has wrist control.
Kosugi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kosugi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kosugi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Copello swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copello utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kosugi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Copello's guard.
Copello keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kosugi thows a huge punch but Copello dodges it nicely.
Copello trying to control here.
Kosugi wants to control but Copello is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi stalling away here and it's allowed Copello to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kosugi throws a big elbow that misses.

Kosugi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kosugi throws an elbow that misses. Copello uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kosugi's guard. Nice move by Copello!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kosugi is controlling Copello's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichiro Kosugi dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kosugi fails with a takedown attempt.
Kosugi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kosugi throws a body punch but Copello moves out of range.
Copello showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kosugi.
Kosugi fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kosugi fails with a takedown attempt.
Copello works Kosugi's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi throws a series of punches but Copello avoids them all with ease.

Kosugi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Copello has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kosugi is working away from the top position though.
Kosugi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Copello does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kosugi lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi trying to control the action but Copello is working from the bottom.
Kosugi passes to side control.
Copello dodges the ground and pound from Kosugi.
Kosugi trying to control the action but Copello is working from the bottom.

Kosugi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Copello has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kosugi but great work by Copello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copello tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kosugi tries to improve position but can't.
Copello really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kosugi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Copello takes a little break here. Kosugi wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kosugi tries to improve position but can't.
Kosugi parries the strikes from Copello easily there. Copello is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kosugi to escape.
Kosugi gets back to half guard.
Copello thows a huge punch but Kosugi dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kosugi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kosugi keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Copello wants to control from the top but Kosugi keeps moving.
Kosugi is pulling down on Copello's head to control his posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kosugi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Copello doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Copello manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kosugi trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichiro Kosugi dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kosugi looks for a takedown but Copello sprawls well.
Kosugi misses with a series of wild punches.
Copello swinging wildly here.
Kosugi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Copello avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kosugi tries to clinch up.
A punch combination from Copello misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copello takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Copello misses with a two punch combination.
Kosugi throws a head kick but Copello moves out of range.
Copello showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kosugi.
Kosugi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Copello tries to avoid it but Kosugi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Copello to the ground. Copello escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown but Copello shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kosugi looks to land a body kick but Copello moved away.
Copello defending well as Kosugi loads up on a big left hand.
Kosugi shoots in for a double leg but Copello sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kosugi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ichiro Kosugi is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Kosugi misses.
A good leg kick by Copello.
Kosugi is looking to clinch but Copello is avoiding it.
Kosugi throws a head kick but Copello moves out of range.
Copello throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kosugi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ichiro Kosugi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kosugi pushes Copello up against the cage in a clinch.
Kosugi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Copello pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kosugi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Felipe Copello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi misses the body punch
and Copello counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kosugi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Copello avoids it really well and circles away.
Kosugi misses the shot to the body.
Kosugi swings for the body but Copello moves out of range.
Felipe Copello is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a takedown. Copello tries to sprawl out of it but Kosugi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Copello manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Copello showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kosugi.
Kosugi misses with a looping right.
Ichiro Kosugi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copello misses with a double jab.
Copello keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kosugi.
Kosugi dives in for a single leg takedown but Copello sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kosugi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Copello fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Copello throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ichiro Kosugi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kosugi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ichiro Kosugi!
An out of breath and clearly excited Ichiro Kosugi thanked Reaper Combatwear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).