PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Lotus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the cage accompanied by Mama said knock you out. Lotus comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Eye of the tiger kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Couture
vs
Lotus

175 cm
49
174 lbs
57 - 38 - 2

186 cm
49
172 lbs
32 - 43 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 57 - 38 - 2, fighting out of London, Brandon Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 43 - 2, fighting out of London, Tommy Lotus!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lotus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Brandon Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lotus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lotus doesn't manage to clinch there - Couture circles away.

Lotus closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Couture quickly recovers to half guard.
Couture pushes Lotus off but Lotus dives into side control.
Couture is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Couture is looking to get back to his feet here but Lotus is keeping cool and he's managed to take Couture's back.

Lotus has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Couture has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lotus is looking to control Couture but Couture is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Couture is trying to stand back up.

Couture manages to stand up with Lotus still on his back. Eventually Lotus drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lotus ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Lotus tries to counter with a clinch but Couture shakes him off and moves away.
Couture throws a jab when Lotus was well out of range.
Lotus darts in looking for a takedown but Couture gets double underhooks and turns Lotus into the cage.
Lotus shoots in looking for a takedown but Couture manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lotus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Lotus closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Couture's guard.

Couture wriggles free and stands up.
Brandon Couture is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lotus or perhaps it was just good defense by Couture, which made it look bad.
Lotus looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Brandon Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Lotus.
Couture stuffs the takedown attempt from Lotus. Lotus gets slowly back to his feet.
Lotus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Couture misses with an uppercut.
Lotus throws a head kick but Couture moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lotus moves away from the strike by Couture.
Lotus dives in for a single leg takedown but Couture sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lotus moves away from the strike by Couture.

Lotus darts in and clinches Couture up against the cage.
Couture scores with a shot to the side of Lotus's head.
Couture has Lotus pressed against the cage, preventing Lotus from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lotus is trying to break the clinch but Couture has him pressed against the cage.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Lotus moves into the clinch successfully.
Lotus is looking to break free of the clinch but Couture has double underhooks.
Lotus tries to break the clinch but Couture is controlling the position.
Lotus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Lotus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lotus shoots in but Couture avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lotus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Couture.
Couture swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lotus.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fighters circling - Couture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Couture throws a sloppy head kick and Lotus moves out of range easily.

Lotus gets a double leg takedown into Couture's guard.
Lotus looks winded!
Couture wants to stand up but Lotus is controlling him.
Lotus trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lotus is pushing down on Couture's leg trying to pass to half guard. Couture is fighting to maintain full guard but Lotus has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lotus passes to full mount!
Lotus controlling the pace for now.
Lotus won't let Couture get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Lotus is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Lotus dives in for a single leg takedown but Couture sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Couture throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lotus tries to counter by closing the distance.
Lotus moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Couture throws a sloppy head kick

and Lotus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Lotus postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Couture to stand up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Couture avoids the head kick by Lotus.
Lotus closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lotus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense.
Lotus moves out of range as Couture strikes.
Nice defenses there by Lotus.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circling - Couture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lotus wants to counter with a clinch but Couture pushes him away.
Couture throws a head kick but Lotus moves out of range.

Lotus feints and as Couture raises his hands in defense, Lotus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Couture is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Lotus dives into side control.

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

Lotus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Couture is trying to buck Lotus off.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Lotus works to advance to full mount. Couture defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Lotus tries to control but Couture wriggling away.

Lotus stands up from mount. Strange move.
Lotus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Couture throws out the jab.
Couture throws an overhand right that lands on Lotus's shoulder, as Lotus tries to avoid the shot.
Couture misses with an uppercut. Lotus saw that one coming.
A slow jab from Couture misses its intended target.

Couture gets caught flat footed, as Lotus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Couture scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Couture misses with an uppercut. Lotus saw that one coming.

Lotus shoots in and bounces Couture off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Couture is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lotus presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
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!
Couture throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lotuss head.

Couture manages to break the clinch.
Donk. Lotus catches Couture right on the button with a cross.
Lotus is looking to clinch.
Lotus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lotus throws a front kick aimed at Couture's knee but Couture avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Couture.
Lotus throws a series of strikes that have Couture backpedaling.
Couture lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Couture misses with a head kick.
Lotus misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lotus fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couture blocks a head kick by Lotus.
Lotus moves away from the strike by Couture.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Couture but Couture pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Lotus decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Couture kicks off Lotus and gets to his feet.
Couture is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lotus.
Lotus looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lotus has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Couture finds it's way round the side to connect with Lotus's head.
Couture misses with a left hand
letting Lotus counter with a right hand.
Lotus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Couture.
Couture avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Couture but Couture pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lotus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Couture.
Couture connects with a crisp jab.
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!
Lotus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lotus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lotus slips under a jab.

Lotus closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lotus lands in his opponent's guard.
Couture is wriggling around but Lotus manages to pass to half guard.

Couture is trying to stand up here but Lotus is controlling him well.
Lotus is taking a breather. Couture says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Couture might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Lotus is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lotus decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Lotus ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Lotus is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Couture with a body shot.
Lotus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couture.
Couture throws a hook to the side of Lotus's head but Lotus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Lotus feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lotus is pushing down on Couture's leg trying to pass to half guard. Couture is fighting to maintain full guard but Lotus has managed to sneak the leg through.
Couture wants to get back to his feet.
Lotus not doing much here.
Lotus wants to take a breather but Couture is having none of it.
Couture wants to get back to his feet.
Couture trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Lotus content to control rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Couture dominated that round.
That's time! Couture's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lotus is looking to clinch.
Lotus closes the distance and clinches up with Couture, looking for a takedown. Lotus pushes Couture against the cage but Couture circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lotus dives in for a single leg takedown but Couture sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lotus ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Nice sprawl there from Couture as Lotus shoots in.
Brandon Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Lotus.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lotus.
Couture lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Couture misses with an uppercut.
Lotus misses the jab.
Couture throws a big shot that misses.
Brandon Couture is winning the standup battle so far.
Lotus has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Couture finds it's way round the side to connect with Lotus's head.
Couture has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Lotus moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lotus or perhaps it was just good defense by Couture, which made it look bad.
Couture throws an overhand right that lands on Lotus's shoulder, as Lotus tries to avoid the shot.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Couture sprawls well. Couture wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lotus gets slowly back to his feet.
Lotus is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lotus moves out of range as Couture strikes.
Couture with a nice cross.
Couture throws a looping overhand right but Lotus ducks down to avoid it.
Lotus fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Couture misses with an uppercut. Lotus saw that one coming.
Couture throws a lazy right hand but Lotus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jab, jab by Couture - just one landing.
Lotus staying out of range there.
Some bone on bone action there as Couture checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Couture jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lotus is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lotus wants to clinch.
Couture misses the jab.
Couture uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lotus shoots for a double leg takedown but Couture sprawls well. He's pushed Lotus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Couture throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lotus's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture takes one on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lotus tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed right hand from Couture misses the target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lotus.
An attempted straight right counter from Couture misses the target.
Couture steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Lotus. That one must have hurt.
Couture's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lotus under the eye.
Couture misses with a head kick.
Lotus ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Couture displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lotus.
Lotus closes the distance and clinches up with Couture, looking for a takedown. Lotus pushes Couture against the cage but Couture circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Couture throws a counter high kick but Lotus was just alert enough to avoid it.
Couture misses with a hook.
Lotus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Couture misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lotus takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Couture lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Couture takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Couture keeps the fight on the outside.
Couture throws a head kick but Lotus moves out of range.

Couture gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Couture uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Couture sprawls well. Couture wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lotus gets slowly back to his feet.
Lotus just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromCouture.
Lotus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Couture but Couture pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Couture jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Couture is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Lotus ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lotus explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Lotus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Couture.
Lotus tries to clinch up but Couture circles away and keeps his distance.
Couture is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lotus can do to turn this around?

Lotus shoots in and bounces Couture off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Couture is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lotus is controlling him.
Lotus trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lotus stands and steps away. Couture gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Couture swats away the attempt to clinch by Lotus.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Lotus lands a jab to the nose.
Nice takedown defense from Couture. No joy for Lotus on that attempt.
Lotus avoids the head kick by Couture.
Lotus shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck for Lotus with that takedown attempt.
Lotus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Couture.
Couture tries a head kick but it misses.
Lotus thinks about the counter body kick.
Lotus shoots in but no luck this time.
Lotus takes one to the chin there.
Lotus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couture.
Couture swings widly with a right hand
and Lotus counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lotus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Couture defends it nicely.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lotus takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lotus shoots in but no luck this time.
Lotus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tommy Lotus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Couture misses with a straight left.
Lotus fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good shot there by Couture.
Lotus goes for a double leg but Couture avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Couture continues to drive forward.
Couture goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. Lotus moves away and avoids it.
Lotus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lotus darts in looking for a takedown but Couture gets double underhooks and turns Lotus into the cage.
Couture defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lotus.
Couture is looking to counter punch.
Couture throws a hook but Lotus avoids it easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lotus moves out of range of the strikes.
Lotus blocks a jab.
Lotus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Couture throws a jab when Lotus was well out of range.
Lotus fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lotus misses with a body kick.
A slow jab from Couture misses its intended target.
Couture swings widly with a right hand
and Lotus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lotus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lotus tries to close the distance and clinch but Couture swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lotus moves away from the strike by Couture.
A slow jab from Couture misses its intended target.

Lotus dives in and scores a takedown into Couture's guard.
Lotus pushing down on Couture's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Lotus is working for a submission of some sort.

Lotus is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Couture doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lotus.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lotus tries to pass to full mount but Couture defends it.

Couture kicks off Lotus and gets to his feet.
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!
Couture misses with an uppercut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lotus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Couture gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Couture has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lotus off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Couture misses the jab.

Lotus closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Couture did well to prevent Lotus getting side control.

Couture has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lotus is on him like a limpet, forcing Couture back against the cage.
Couture gets through Lotus's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lotus working hard to break the clinch.
Couture lands a hook that snaps the head of Lotus backwards.
Couture scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lotus working hard to break the clinch.
Lotus has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lotus looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lotus throws a leg kick but Couture sees it coming and moves out of range.

Lotus closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Lotus has hold of Couture's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Couture seems comfortable defending it but Lotus has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Couture is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Couture is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Lotus couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tommy Lotus!
An out of breath Tommy Lotus thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.