PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Copeland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor MacLeod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodney Copeland has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Copeland
vs
MacLeod

181 cm
24
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

167 cm
25
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodney Copeland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor MacLeod!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacLeod misses with a double jab
and Copeland counters with a three punch combo that has MacLeod backing up. MacLeod nods at Copeland to acknowledge the strikes.

MacLeod bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacLeod working the ground and pound but Copeland is defending the strikes.
Copeland can't do much from the bottom here.

MacLeod is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Copeland knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Copeland struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

MacLeod is trying to get an arm triangle but Copeland is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacLeod wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Copeland, who protects the arm well.

MacLeod is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Copeland knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

MacLeod working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
MacLeod moves into full mount!

MacLeod wants to finish this one by submission but Copeland is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from MacLeod.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland tries to lock up and control but MacLeod gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

MacLeod has control of Copeland's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Copeland regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Copeland tries to hold on but MacLeod pushes him away.
Copeland is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
MacLeod prevents Copeland from getting the reversal.

MacLeod working for a submission but Copeland is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
MacLeod can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Copeland is looking to escape.

MacLeod moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Copeland has worked his arm free - good work by Copeland!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod in side control, throwing shots but Copeland defends.
MacLeod working away.
MacLeod wants to lay and pray for a moment but Copeland keeps working.

MacLeod wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Copeland, who protects the arm well.
MacLeod looks winded!
Copeland is trying to control MacLeod's posture but MacLeod avoids it.

MacLeod working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Copeland is not content to let MacLeod control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
You can see the frustration on Copeland's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Copeland is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
MacLeod has knee on belly and moves into mount.

MacLeod jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Copeland manages to avoid the submission attempt.

MacLeod tries for a kimura but Copeland is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Copeland wants to control but MacLeod postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor MacLeod dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Copeland tries to clinch but MacLeod is having none of it.
MacLeod tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Copeland throws a combination but it was largely blocked by MacLeod.

Copeland gets caught napping as MacLeod dives in and scores a takedown. Copeland manages to retain guard.
MacLeod prevents Copeland from getting back to his feet.
MacLeod trying to control but Copeland is working from the bottom.
MacLeod throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
MacLeod forces his way into half guard.
Copeland is looking to control MacLeod's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Copeland avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacLeod works his foot free and advances to mount.
Copeland knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for MacLeod on the ground.
MacLeod controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacLeod is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Copeland has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Copeland!
Copeland stopping the sweep attempt from MacLeod.
Copeland throws an elbow that misses. MacLeod uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Copeland's guard. Nice move by MacLeod!
Copeland wants to stand and escape but MacLeod is having none of it.
MacLeod lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Copeland trying to keep a closed guard but MacLeod is proving a slippery customer.
MacLeod pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Copeland is keeping the position for now.

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.
Copeland keeping moving, preventing MacLeod from controlling successfully.
MacLeod postures up and lands a big shot to Copeland's brow.
MacLeod passes Copeland's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Copeland is trying to get back to full guard.

MacLeod is working for a submission of some sort.

MacLeod is looking for a kimura but Copeland is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacLeod to get the leverage.
MacLeod is breathing heavily.
MacLeod prevents Copeland from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Copeland trying to control here.
Copeland tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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

Copeland shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Copeland showed some decent athleticism there.
Copeland looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Copeland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Copeland will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
MacLeod tries to roll over but Copeland keeps him under control.
Copeland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed MacLeod's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copeland tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
MacLeod wants to improve his position but Copeland is controlling well.
Copeland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Copeland lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
MacLeod blocking the ground and pound attempt from Copeland.
MacLeod makes his way to full guard. A much better position for MacLeod.
Connor MacLeod has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Copeland distracts MacLeod with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MacLeod trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Connor MacLeod will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Copeland shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. MacLeod is trying to defend but Copeland finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Copeland wants to stand but MacLeod has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Copeland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Copeland throws a strike but MacLeod avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Copeland works over MacLeod with some ground and pound from guard.
Copeland wants to get up but he can't break MacLeod's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Copeland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copeland stands up over MacLeod, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Copeland decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on MacLeod, up you get!

MacLeod gets a double leg takedown into Copeland's guard.
MacLeod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Copeland is looking to stand back up but MacLeod counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Copeland.
Copeland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. MacLeod is working away from the top position though.
MacLeod wants to pass the guard but Copeland is defending well.
Copeland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. MacLeod is working away from the top position though.
MacLeod is looking to advance position but Copeland won't allow it.
MacLeod is keen to just control but Copeland is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacLeod is trying for a kimura here. Copeland looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! MacLeod wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Connor MacLeod!