PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Travis Keller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Kopp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Keller
vs
Kopp

163 cm
23
144 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
130 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Travis Keller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dave Kopp!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kopp is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Keller's half guard.
Kopp trying to pass the guard but Keller defending well.
Keller is trying to stand up here but Kopp is controlling him well.
Keller won't allow Kopp to pass to mount.
Keller on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Keller tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kopp not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp is pressing down on Keller's thigh, looking to free his foot. Keller is holding on for now.
Kopp missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kopp throwing shots but Keller is blocking nicely.
Keller is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kopp scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kopp sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Keller defending well though.
Kopp thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kopp throwing shots but Keller is blocking nicely.
Kopp not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kopp working Keller over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keller is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kopp scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kopp passes to side control.
Kopp lands a decent elbow from side control.
The strikes coming from Kopp are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kopp tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kopp looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Keller is avoiding damage well.
Kopp throws a strike aimed at the side of Keller's head but Keller avoids it well.
Kopp has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kopp lands a nice forearm strike.
Keller managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kopp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopp has knee on belly momentarily but Keller bucks him off and regains half guard.
Kopp is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've been informed that Kopp has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kopp thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kopp missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kopp working over Keller with some ground and pound. Keller looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kopp trying to mount his opponent but Keller defends it.
Keller blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kopp.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopp is looking to pass Keller's guard but actually Keller recovers to full guard.
Keller wants to stand but Kopp is controlling the position.
Keller avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Keller wants to get back to his feet but Kopp is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kopp throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keller works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kopp looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Kopp tries to get set, Keller tries to push him back and clinch up but Kopp manages to avoid the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Kopp dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kopp feints and as Keller raises his hands in defense, Kopp changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kopp working some strikes from top position.
Kopp has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kopp postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kopp postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kopp loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dave Kopp has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kopp trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kopp working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Keller's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kopp throwing strikes from guard but Keller blocks nicely.
Kopp slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kopp tries to move into full mount but can't pass Keller's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kopp working the strikes but Keller uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Kopp thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kopp working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Keller's thigh. Keller counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Kopp chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kopp forces his way into half guard.
Kopp is pressing down on Keller's thigh, looking to free his foot. Keller is holding on for now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kopp connects with a nice short shot to Keller's temple.
Kopp thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Keller's head.
Kopp throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kopp works his way into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kopp fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopp tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kopp scoring with punches and elbows.
Kopp tries to score with some ground and pound. Keller controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kopp cracks Keller with a big right hand but Keller just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kopp postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kopp working the ground and pound but Keller is defending the strikes.
Kopp lands a few punches from side control.
Kopp lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Keller down.
Kopp creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Keller sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopp misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Keller parries the strikes from Kopp easily there. Kopp is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Keller to escape.
Keller takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kopp throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kopp cracks Keller with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kopp is putting a hurting on Keller here, landing some big shots from side control.
Kopp lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kopp lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopp scores with punches from side control.
Kopp connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Keller some visible discomfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Kopp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kopp closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kopp lands in his opponent's guard.
Kopp working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kopp stands up over Keller, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kopp tries to free his leg and advance position but Keller is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kopp accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kopp in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kopp loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kopp is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp postures up in Keller's guard and throws a big left but Keller blocks it.
Kopp is in close to Keller's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kopp postures up and lands a big shot to Keller's brow.
Kopp throws a big elbow that misses.
Kopp chips away with some ground and pound.
Keller utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kopp keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Keller's head.
Kopp scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kopp throws a big elbow that misses.
Kopp working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kopp throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kopp tries to free his leg and advance position but Keller is retaining full guard.

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

Kopp looking to score a takedown here. Keller is defending well but Kopp drives through and ends up in Keller's guard.
Kopp tries to free his leg and advance position but Keller is retaining full guard.
Kopp throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kopp's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Keller working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kopp.
Kopp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kopp cracks Keller with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keller working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kopp.
Kopp advances position into side control!
Keller avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kopp.
Kopp landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Keller is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kopp connects with a decent elbow.
Travis Keller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kopp is working Keller over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kopp is putting a hurting on Keller here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopp is chipping away with strikes.
Kopp tries to score with some ground and pound. Keller controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kopp throws a strike aimed at the side of Keller's head but Keller avoids it well.
Kopp in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kopp looks up at the clock and then as Keller takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kopp smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kopp working the ground and pound.
Kopp cracks Keller with a big right hand but Keller just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopp sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Keller is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Dave Kopp is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sloppy strikes there by Kopp.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Kopp comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kopp has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 24:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Kopp!
Our winner, Dave Kopp, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.