PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steven Kopp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phat Ho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ho has chosen Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Kopp
vs
Ho

170 cm
29
140 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
141 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 Las Vegas, Steven Kopp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phat Ho!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kopp lands a glancing blow to the side of Ho's head.
Ho thumps Kopp with a low kick.
Ho misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kopp.
Ho looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kopp takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ho gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Kopp counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kopp is keen to just control but Ho is a slippery customer.
Ho avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kopp.
Kopp missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ho keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kopp throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ho keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kopp seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ho does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kopp thows a huge punch but Ho dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp wants to control but Ho is keeping him busy.
Kopp not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kopp is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Kopp loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kopp trying to control but Ho is working from the bottom.
Kopp trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ho keeping moving, preventing Kopp from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ho throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ho throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kopp counters with a single leg into guard. Ho didn't expect that.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ho keeping moving, preventing Kopp from controlling successfully.
Ho preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kopp.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kopp loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kopp drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ho misses with a leg kick

and Kopp counters with a shoot takedown. Ho fights it but they end up in guard.
Ho preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kopp throws a big right hand that misses.
Ho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kopp controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kopp throws a strike but Ho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho won't allow Kopp to sweep him here.
Kopp managing to control the position.
Kopp wants to stand and escape but Ho is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopp managing to control the position.

Ho gets to his feet - Kopp follows without any prompting.
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 Steven Kopp will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ho throws a head kick that Kopp semi-blocks.

It looks like Steven Kopp has been cut.
Ho scores with a jab.
Kopp throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ho throws out a counter right but Kopp avoids it with no problem.
Kopp's corner calls for a 1-2. Kopp obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Ho.
Kopp shoots in for a takedown but Ho shows good takedown defense.
Kopp on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ho. Ho obviously looking to wear him down.
Kopp keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ho.
Ho connects with a leg kick. Kopp looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Kopp gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kopp looks to land a strike but Ho avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kopp's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp pushes down on Ho's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kopp has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kopp not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ho regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kopp.
Kopp trying to control but Ho is working from the bottom.
Kopp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ho tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ho is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kopp postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ho is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ho looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kopp in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kopp throws a strike but Ho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ho trying to control but Kopp is working from the bottom.
Kopp is trying to keep Ho in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho looking to pass the guard.
Kopp can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ho controls the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kopp fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ho. Kopp shrugs it off though.

Ho rushes Kopp and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Ho digs a right hand into Kopp's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kopp's gas tank.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ho.
Ho working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ho goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ho goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kopp tries to break free but Ho pushes him back against the ropes.
Ho doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ho manages to break the clinch.
Kopp throws a series of punches but Ho moves out of range.
Kopp throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ho throws out a counter right but Kopp avoids it with no problem.

Ho pushes Kopp up against the ropes in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ho.
Ho doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kopp tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ho just stands there and leans against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Kopp. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kopp checks the leg kick nicely there.
An attempted straight right counter from Kopp misses the target.
Ho throws a right hand that misses

and Kopp counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kopp.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phat Ho showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steven Kopp's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ho fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Some bone on bone action there as Kopp checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kopp is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ho sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ho throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ho lands the left hand.
Ho scores with a push kick.
Ho tries to clinch up.

Kopp is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ho's half guard.
Kopp throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ho to regain full guard.
Kopp trying to move into half guard but instead Ho has managed to sweep!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ho is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp is looking to stand up but Ho isn't so interested in that idea.
Kopp pulls Ho in close to prevent any damage.
Ho trying to control but Kopp is working from the bottom.

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.
Ho won't allow Kopp to sweep him here.
Ho won't allow Kopp to get back to his feet.
Ho trying to control the position from guard on top but Kopp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Phat Ho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ho looks to land a right hand but Kopp moved out of range.
Ho connects with a crisp jab.
Kopp will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Phat Ho seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ho checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ho with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kopp to score with a decent uppercut.
Ho lands a nice hook to Kopp's body. Kopp takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho misses with a body kick.
Ho waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kopp.
Ho fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ho throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kopp looks to land a right hand but Ho moved out of range.
Kopp throws a hook but Ho avoids it easily.
Kopp shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ho sprawls well. Ho wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kopp gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Kopp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kopp lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ho has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ho and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kopp takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ho stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ho wants it to stay on the feet.
Ho slips a straight right by Kopp.
Ho scores with a push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopp misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Phat Ho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ho moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Ho moves into the clinch.
Kopp goes for a takedown attempt but Ho pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ho connects with a right hand. Kopp shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ho thows a body kick. Kopp tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ho lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ho lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ho.
Kopp blocks a head kick by Ho.
Kopp is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ho jabs Kopp to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Steven Kopp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ho uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kopp.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phat Ho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ho has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Phat Ho!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Phat Ho!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Phat Ho!

Phat Ho wins by unanimous decision!
Phat Ho thanked the fans post fight for their support.