PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Travis Copeland (ranked 718 p4p, 94 weight class) and Simo Ahvenus (ranked 1171 p4p, 142 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Copeland
vs
Ahvenus

175 cm
22
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

178 cm
21
154 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Urban Fighter

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Copeland!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Simo Ahvenus!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Copeland tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ahvenus manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ahvenus shoots in and gets a takedown into Copeland's guard.
Copeland wants to stand but Ahvenus is controlling the position.

Copeland is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Copeland pushes off an throws an elbow but Ahvenus leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ahvenus tries to pull guard but Copeland won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Copeland just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ahvenus's brow.
Copeland is pressed up against the cage. Ahvenus has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Copeland down to the mat. Copeland avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ahvenus has his takedown stuffed
letting Copeland counter with a right hand.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ahvenus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Copeland sprawls well. Copeland wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ahvenus gets slowly back to his feet.

Copeland clinches.
Our sources have told us that Copeland has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the head but Ahvenus blocks with his arms.
Copeland lands an elbow inside.
Ahvenus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Copeland walks away with a smile on his face. Ahvenus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Copeland leaves Ahvenus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Copeland moves into the clinch.
Copeland stalling against the cage.
Copeland lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Simo Ahvenus has been cut.
Copeland tries a knee to the head but Ahvenus blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Copeland pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nice elbow from Copeland.
Ahvenus is looking to break free of the clinch but Copeland has double underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Copeland obliges.
Ahvenus looking for a takedown.
Ahvenus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Copeland pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Copeland lands an elbow inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Copeland throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Copeland tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ahvenus wants the takedown. Copeland is fighting it off but Ahvenus persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Copeland's guard against the cage.
Copeland is wriggling around but Ahvenus manages to pass to half guard.

Copeland has hold of Ahvenus's hands but Ahvenus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ahvenus prevents Copeland from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Copeland dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Simo Ahvenus's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Copeland drives through and clinches with Ahvenus against the cage.
Copeland throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ahvenus blocks it with crossed arms.
Copeland missing with knees to the body.
Copeland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ahvenus can do to turn this around?
Ahvenus wants a takedown but no success here.

Ahvenus has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Copeland is trying to keep an underhook but Ahvenus manages to get the takedown into half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ahvenus working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Ahvenus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Copeland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ahvenus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Copeland is just riding it out for now. Ahvenus eventually gives up the hold.
Copeland is trying to stand up here but Ahvenus is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland has hold of Ahvenus's hands but Ahvenus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ahvenus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Copeland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ahvenus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Copeland looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Copeland is trying to stand up here but Ahvenus is controlling him well.
Nice strikes from Ahvenus there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ahvenus lands a nice short elbow.
Simo Ahvenus has got the better of the ground game so far.

Copeland pushes Ahvenus off and gets back to his feet.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ahvenus swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Ahvenus scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ahvenus prevents Copeland from standing back up.
Ahvenus lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Copeland is trying to stand up here but Ahvenus is controlling him well.

Copeland has one foot on Ahvenus's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back 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!
Copeland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ahvenus.
Copeland went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ahvenus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ahvenus has his takedown stuffed
enabling Copeland to counter with a crisp jab.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.

Copeland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ahvenus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Copeland pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland misses with an elbow over the top.
Copeland taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Copeland tries to land knees in the clinch but Ahvenus avoids the damage to the body.
Ahvenus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ahvenus blocks an elbow strike from Copeland.
Copeland manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Copeland looking to throw knees to the head but Ahvenus is blocking nicely.
Copeland prevents the takedown attempt.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ahvenus avoids it.
Copeland is struggling to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Copeland dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Simo Ahvenus's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ahvenus goes for a double leg but Copeland avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Copeland continues to drive forward.
Copeland scores with a sloppy right hand. Ahvenus should have avoided that one.
Copeland lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ahvenus gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Copeland.
Copeland connects with a jab.
Copeland jabs at Ahvenus's body.
Copeland displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ahvenus.
Ahvenus shoots in for a double leg but Copeland sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Copeland swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.
Copeland changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ahvenus.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Copeland has Ahvenus up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Copeland comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Copeland.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Copeland just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ahvenus's brow.
Copeland gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ahvenus.
Ahvenus is trying to pull guard but Copeland turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Ahvenus has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Copeland clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Copeland wants to get back to his feet.
Ahvenus is landing with strikes from the back.
Ahvenus scores with strikes from the back.
Copeland is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Ahvenus is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Copeland. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Copeland takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Copeland is trying to stand back up.
Ahvenus trying to control.
Copeland is trying to get back to his feet but Ahvenus has full control of the position and if anything, Copeland has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Ahvenus's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Copeland is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Copeland manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.

Ahvenus gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Copeland clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Simo Ahvenus's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Copeland closes the distance and clinches.
Ahvenus tries for a takedown. No joy.
Travis Copeland has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Copeland lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ahvenus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Copeland has him pressed against the cage.
Ahvenus takes an elbow to the forehead.
Copeland lands a body punch in the clinch.
Copeland lands a damaging elbow.

That has opened up Simo Ahvenus's cut even more.
Copeland lands an elbow inside.
Ahvenus is working for takedown but Copeland is calmly controlling the position for now.
Copeland lands a nice elbow.

Ahvenus is rocked!

The cut above Simo Ahvenus's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Copeland with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ahvenus is still on wobbly legs! Can Copeland finish him?
Copeland creates some distance and fires off a vicious elbow that drops Ahvenus! He pounces and finishes the fight with more strikes! Nice KO for Copeland.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Travis Copeland!
Travis Copeland retains his lightweight title!
Travis Copeland thanked the fans post fight for their support.