PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Danny Noel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Butch Copeland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Noel might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Street Gang. Danny Noel has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Noel
vs
Copeland

186 cm
26
199 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

166 cm
28
175 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Danny Noel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Butch Copeland!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Copeland looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Noel is fending him off so far but Copeland persists. Nope, Noel circles away and we're back to standing.
Butch Copeland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Copeland shoots in looking for a takedown but Noel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Copeland's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Noel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Copeland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Noel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Noel doesn't manage to clinch there - Copeland circles away.
Noel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Copeland shoots in for a takedown but Noel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Danny Noel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Butch Copeland.
Noel tries to clinch but Copeland is having none of it.
Copeland circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Copeland is defended easily by Noel.
Copeland shoots in looking for a takedown. Noel tries to sprawl out of it but Copeland keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Noel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Noel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Copeland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Copeland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Copeland gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Noel counters by clinching up.
Noel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Noel lands an elbow that stopped Copeland in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Noel.
Noel throws an elbow that misses.
Copeland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Noel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Copeland's efforts to push away.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike from Noel.

Copeland decides to pull guard.
Noel tries to stand but Copeland is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Copeland looking to hit a scissor sweep but Noel is one step ahead there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Noel wants to stand but Copeland is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Noel tries to clinch up.

Copeland drives through with a takedown into Noel's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Copeland is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Copeland stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Noel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Copeland trying to control but Noel is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noel keeping full guard, as Copeland tries to pass.
Copeland looking to sit in guard and control but Noel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Noel tries to stand but Copeland is controlling from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Noel preventing the sweep.

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.
Copeland trying to keep a closed guard but Noel is proving a slippery customer.
Noel wanted to stand there but Copeland had control of the position.
Copeland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Copeland wants to control but Noel is keeping him busy.
Noel looks like he's trying to stand up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Copeland wants to free his trapped foot but Noel is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Noel on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Noel tries to get out of the position.
Noel is not content to let Copeland control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Danny Noel will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Noel stuffs the takedown attempt from Copeland. Copeland gets slowly back to his feet.
Noel wants to clinch.
Copeland tries for a takedown but Noel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Copeland throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Noel's waist but Noel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Copeland off to one side.
Danny Noel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Butch Copeland.
Noel doesn't manage to clinch there - Copeland circles away.
Noel slaps away a takedown attempt from Copeland, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Copeland goes for a double leg but Noel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Noel continues to drive forward.
Noel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Copeland's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Noel pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Copeland avoids a wild elbow strike from Noel.
Copeland dodges an elbow strike from Noel.
Noel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Copeland can do to turn this around?
A nice glancing elbow lands by Noel.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Copeland's defenses.
Noel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Noel lands a damaging elbow.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Noel pushes off an throws an elbow but Copeland leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Noel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Noel misses with an elbow over the top.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Copeland takes an elbow to the temple.
Copeland tries to pull guard but Noel won't allow it.
Noel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Noel pushes off an throws an elbow but Copeland leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Copeland tries to pull guard but Noel holds him up against the cage and eventually Copeland drops back down to his feet.
Copeland is breathing heavily.
Nice elbow from Noel.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Noel gets underhooks to prevent Copeland's takedown attempt.
Copeland takes an elbow to the temple.
Copeland jumps guard but Noel stands there with Copeland around his waist. Copeland gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Noel lands an elbow inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike from Noel.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland is trying to break free.
Noel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Noel throws an elbow that misses.
Danny Noel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike from Noel.
Copeland is working for takedown but Noel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Noel lands an elbow that stopped Copeland in his tracks for a moment.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Noel misses with an elbow over the top.
Copeland avoids the elbow strike from Noel, against the cage.
Noel throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Copeland wants a takedown.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Noel.
I was talking to Noel's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Noel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Copeland is trying to break free.
Copeland tries to pull guard but Noel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Noel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Copeland dodges an elbow strike from Noel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Noel just misses with a elbow thrown towards Copeland's brow.
Copeland blocks the elbow strike.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike from Noel.
Copeland avoids a wild elbow strike from Noel.
Noel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Noel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Noel prevents the takedown attempt.
Copeland has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Noel seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Copeland can turn it around.
Copeland jumps guard but Noel stands there with Copeland around his waist. Copeland gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Noel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Noel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Copeland drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Noel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Copeland can't break the clinch.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Noel pushes off an throws an elbow but Copeland leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Noel lands a nice elbow.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Copeland goes for a takedown in the clinch but Noel prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike from Noel.
Noel lands an elbow that stopped Copeland in his tracks for a moment.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Noel stops a takedown attempt from Copeland.
Nice elbow from Noel.
Copeland is looking to break free of the clinch but Noel has double underhooks.
Noel looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Noel.
Noel misses with an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Noel.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Noel lands an elbow just above Copeland 's eye.
Noel lands a nice elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Noel.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Noel dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Noel as Copeland shoots in.
Noel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Copeland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Noel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Copeland swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Copeland fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Noel to the ground. Copeland is now in Noel's guard.

Copeland drops back looking for a leg! Noel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Noel manages to kick Copeland off! Copeland jumps back into Noel's guard.
Noel wants to stand up but Copeland is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Copeland drops back looking for a leg! Noel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Noel manages to kick Copeland off! Copeland jumps back into Noel's guard.
Copeland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noel keeping moving, preventing Copeland from controlling successfully.
Copeland is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Noel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Copeland.

Noel gets a clinch.
Copeland working hard to break the clinch.
Copeland goes for a takedown attempt but Noel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Danny Noel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Butch Copeland.
Copeland closes the distance and clinches up with Noel, looking for a takedown. Copeland pushes Noel against the cage but Noel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Noel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Danny Noel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Noel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Noel tries to clinch there but Copeland circles away.
Noel tries to close the distance and clinch but Copeland swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Copeland misses with a takedown

and Noel counters by clinching up.
Copeland avoids a wild elbow strike from Noel.
Copeland working hard to break the clinch.
Copeland takes an elbow to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland avoids the elbow strike from Noel, against the cage.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Noel.
Noel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Copeland takes an elbow to the temple.
With the fighters up against the cage, Noel throws an elbow but misses.
Noel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Noel throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Copeland is trying to pull guard but Noel has him pressed against the cage.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Noel just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Noel.
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!
Noel lands a damaging elbow.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Noel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Noel misses with an elbow strike.
Noel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Copeland's defenses.
Noel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Copeland's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copeland avoids the elbow strike from Noel, against the cage.
Copeland tries to score a body lock takedown but Noel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Copeland is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Noel lands a nice elbow.
Copeland avoids the elbow strike from Noel, against the cage.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Noel lands a damaging elbow.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Copeland takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Noel lands an elbow that stopped Copeland in his tracks for a moment.
Noel lands an elbow inside that Copeland shrugs off.
Noel throws an elbow that misses.
Copeland avoids the elbow strike from Noel, against the cage.
Noel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Noel lands an elbow inside.
Copeland blocks the elbow strike.
Noel pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Butch Copeland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Danny Noel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Copeland drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Noel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Noel, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Noel!
After the fight, Danny Noel was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.