PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Travis Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rucutan Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Cooper
vs
Edwards

157 cm
21
214 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Travis Cooper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rucutan Edwards !
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Edwards closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cooper did well to prevent Edwards getting side control.
Cooper tries to kick Edwards off but Edwards keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cooper trying to control from the bottom.
Cooper pushes Edwards off looking to stand but Edwards dives back in and keeps control.
Cooper is trying to control but Edwards passes into side control!
Cooper is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cooper is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cooper down.
Cooper tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Edwards biding his time, looking for the opening.
Cooper might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Cooper manages to escape to his feet.
Cooper fails to land with a series of punches.
Edwards thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Cooper.

Edwards drives through with a takedown into Cooper's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Edwards sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cooper wants to stand and escape but Edwards is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards slips nicely into half guard.

Edwards seems to be working for a kimura but Cooper defends the submission attempt.

Cooper manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Edwards gets a double leg takedown into Cooper's guard.
Edwards looks winded!
Cooper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Edwards is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards landing with the ground and pound.

Cooper pushes Edwards off and gets back to his feet.

Cooper closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Edwards to the mat! Edwards manages to get full guard.
Edwards wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Cooper manages to pass to side control.
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!

Cooper really is a fat lump.
Cooper slips a nice elbow through Edwards 's hands, connecting with Edwards 's forehead.
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 Travis Cooper will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cooper clinches.
Edwards looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Edwards throws a head punch that misses.

Edwards turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Edwards manages to end up in side control.

Cooper explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Cooper closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cooper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Edwards was well out of range. Poor timing from Cooper.
Edwards on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Edwards forces Cooper back against the cage and clinches.

Edwards decides to pull guard.

Edwards is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Edwards is breathing heavily.
Cooper won't allow Edwards to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rucutan Edwards has got the better of the ground game so far.

Edwards working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cooper has passed into half guard!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Edwards can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cooper not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cooper throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Cooper seems to be working for a kimura but Edwards defends the submission attempt.

That's two 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.
Edwards is controlling Cooper's trapped leg to prevent Cooper from advancing to side control.
Cooper sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Edwards defending well though.
Cooper wants to lay and pray for a moment but Edwards keeps working.
Edwards is looking to improve his position.
Cooper thows a huge punch but Edwards dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Edwards wants to control but Cooper is keeping busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Edwards tries to clinch up but Cooper circles away and keeps his distance.
Edwards takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Edwards throws a wild body kick that Cooper sees coming a mile off.
As Edwards looks to move away, Cooper throws a big counter combo but Edwards just gets out of the way.
Cooper thuds a left hand into Edwards 's body.

Cooper gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Edwards to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Cooper manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cooper ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cooper no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Cooper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Edwards is controlling him.

Cooper working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Edwards has passed into half guard!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cooper pushes Edwards off but Edwards dives into side control.
Cooper is looking for a sweep.
Edwards scores with a couple of short elbows.
Edwards landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Cooper dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Cooper ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cooper misses with a head kick.
Cooper lands a leg kick that knocks Edwards off balance momentarily.

Edwards darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Cooper manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Edwards is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cooper's half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cooper is trying to escape back to his feet but Edwards uses the scramble to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Edwards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Edwards happy to just control the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooper is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Edwards has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Edwards is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cooper knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Edwards tries to move to mount but Cooper blocks the move with his legs.
Edwards prevents Cooper from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Edwards working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Edwards wants to control but Cooper is keeping him busy.
Cooper is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Edwards wants to stand but Cooper is controlling his arm.
Edwards scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooper pushes Edwards away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Edwards gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Cooper tries to bench press Edwards off him but Edwards keeps the position.
Cooper tries to escape but Edwards is in control.
Cooper is trying to improve his position.

Edwards is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cooper knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cooper is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four 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.
Edwards wants to clinch
and Cooper counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Travis Cooper is winning the standup battle so far.
Cooper fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Edwards looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Edwards gets a double leg takedown into Cooper's guard.

Cooper has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Edwards is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Cooper.
Cooper is being controlled here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Check out the look on Edwards 's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rucutan Edwards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Travis Cooper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cooper is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Edwards is controlling him well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rucutan Edwards .
I think Cooper has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Travis Cooper!