PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ulysses Copeland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdullah Mahmud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abdullah Mahmud has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ulysses Copeland's chin.

Copeland
vs
Mahmud

153 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

150 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ulysses 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, Abdullah Mahmud !
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Copeland tries to land a front kick but Mahmud steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mahmud gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Copeland counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Copeland.
Mahmud wants to get back to his feet but Copeland is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mahmud not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mahmud throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mahmud throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mahmud is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Copeland gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Abdullah Mahmud seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahmud shoots in for a takedown but Copeland shows good takedown defense.
Copeland tries to counter with a takedown but Mahmud is quick to defend against it.

Copeland gets tackled into the cage by Mahmud . Mahmud maintains the clinch.
Mahmud wants to take the fight to the mat but Copeland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ulysses Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Mahmud .

That's one minute gone in the round.

Copeland lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mahmud wants to stand back up but Copeland manages to pass into side control.

Copeland decides to stand back up. Copeland steps back and let's Mahmud get back to his feet.
Mahmud tries a head kick but it misses.

Copeland instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Mahmud fails to land.
Mahmud jumps guard but Copeland turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mahmud tries to break the clinch but Copeland is controlling the position.

Copeland has Mahmud pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Copeland pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mahmud tumbling to the mat - Copeland dives into Mahmud 's guard.
Copeland could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Copeland scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mahmud has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahmud is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mahmud throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Copeland scores with a few weak punches.
Mahmud blocks the strikes from Copeland.
Copeland controlling the position well.
Copeland is looking to improve his position.
Mahmud wants to lay and pray for a moment but Copeland keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mahmud .
Mahmud missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Copeland is concentrating on defense, preventing Mahmud from advancing position.
Mahmud is trying to control. Copeland wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Copeland is holding on to half guard well.
Copeland knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mahmud on the ground.
Mahmud wants to lay and pray for a moment but Copeland keeps working.

Mahmud seems to be looking for submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ulysses Copeland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Copeland gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mahmud is trying to drag Copeland to the mat but Copeland just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mahmud fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Copeland gets control of Mahmud 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Copeland will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Mahmud postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Copeland is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mahmud , into his guard.

Copeland stands up from Mahmud 's guard - Copeland perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulysses Copeland 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.

Mahmud gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mahmud is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mahmud drops down looking for an ankle pick but Copeland pulls his leg out and moves away.

Copeland takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahmud has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Copeland prevents a body shot from Mahmud .
Mahmud tries to pull guard but Copeland forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ulysses Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Mahmud .

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Mahmud 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mahmud tries to break the clinch but Copeland is controlling the position.

Copeland has picked Mahmud up - he's going for a ride! Copeland dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Mahmud is looking for a sweep. Copeland is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ulysses Copeland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Copeland drops an elbow to the side of Mahmud 's head.
Mahmud is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Copeland scores with a couple of nice shots.

Copeland escapes and gets back to his feet.
Ulysses Copeland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahmud gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Copeland counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Copeland.
Mahmud is breathing heavily.
Copeland distracts Mahmud with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Copeland decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland lands a high kick!
A head kick misses from Copeland.
Copeland stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Copeland wants it to stay on the feet.
Copeland went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Mahmud closes the distance and pushes Copeland back into the cage.

Copeland gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

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

Mahmud rushes Copeland and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Copeland gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Mahmud is looking to sweep but instead, Copeland has passed into half guard.

Copeland is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mahmud is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Copeland gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Mahmud instigates a clinch.
Mahmud using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mahmud is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Copeland pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Copeland works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Mahmud is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Copeland stands up from Mahmud 's guard - Copeland perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mahmud with a poor takedown

and Copeland counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mahmud won't be happy with that.
Copeland lands an elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Copeland tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Copeland has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulysses Copeland dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Copeland lands a two punch combo.
Mahmud throws a lazy head kick

and Copeland moves into the clinch.
Copeland is looking to take this one to the mat.
Copeland keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mahmud 's efforts to push away.
Copeland prevents a body shot from Mahmud .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahmud wants a takedown but no success here.
Mahmud is looking to take this one to the mat.

Copeland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mahmud fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ulysses Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Mahmud .

Copeland has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Mahmud clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Copeland has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Mahmud is defending well but eventually Copeland manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Mahmud has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ulysses Copeland!