PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Travis Copeland (ranked 664 p4p, 81 weight class) and Simo Ahvenus (ranked 1060 p4p, 129 weight class). Simo Ahvenus told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Copeland
vs
Ahvenus

175 cm
23
165 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
154 lbs
7 - 2 - 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 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Copeland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Simo Ahvenus!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
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 fails to land with a series of punches.
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.
Copeland drops his hands momentarily and Ahvenus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice shot by Ahvenus.
Copeland throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Copeland scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ahvenus dives in and grabs Copeland's left leg, looking for a takedown. Copeland pushes down on Ahvenus's head and hops out.
Copeland has been working on his boxing with his coaches at 3Band MMA ($800/week) in the buildup to the fight.
A combination from Ahvenus does no damage.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ahvenus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ahvenus tries a quick counter leg kick but Copeland is wise to it.
Ahvenus fails to land the takedown.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahvenus misses the jab.
Copeland throwing a counter right hand but Ahvenus manages to avoid it.

Ahvenus drives through with a takedown into Copeland's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Copeland wants to stand but Ahvenus is controlling the position.

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

Ahvenus gets tackled into the cage by Copeland. Copeland maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus drops down looking for an ankle pick but Copeland pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ahvenus throws an off balance right hand
and Copeland makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Copeland misses with a jab, cross combination.
Copeland tries to clinch up but Ahvenus circles away and keeps his distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ahvenus misses with a right hand
and Copeland counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Copeland. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Copeland.

Copeland pushes Ahvenus up against the cage in a clinch.
Copeland using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ahvenus has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Copeland lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Simo Ahvenus has been cut.
Ahvenus tries to pull guard but Copeland holds him up against the cage and eventually Ahvenus drops back down to his feet.
Copeland content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ahvenus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Copeland smiles and moves away.
Ahvenus shoots in for a double leg but Copeland sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Copeland wants to stand but Ahvenus is controlling the position.
Ahvenus distracts Copeland with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ahvenus working some strikes from top position.
Ahvenus keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Copeland's head.
Ahvenus tries to free his leg and advance position but Copeland is retaining full guard.
Ahvenus scoring with some ground and pound.
Ahvenus landing with the ground and pound.
Ahvenus throws a big elbow that misses.
Copeland wants to get back to his feet but Ahvenus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ahvenus connects with a couple of short punches.
Ahvenus trying to control the position from guard on top but Copeland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahvenus prevents Copeland from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ahvenus works over Copeland with some ground and pound from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ahvenus's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Copeland wants to get back to his feet but Ahvenus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Copeland kicks Ahvenus off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Copeland tries to avoid it but Ahvenus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Copeland to the ground. Copeland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ahvenus swats away the attempt to clinch by Copeland.
Ahvenus closes the distance and clinches up with Copeland, looking for a takedown. Ahvenus pushes Copeland against the cage but Copeland circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Copeland clinches up with Ahvenus and pushes him back against the cage.
Copeland looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Copeland lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ahvenus jumps guard but Copeland stands there with Ahvenus around his waist. Ahvenus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Copeland looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Ahvenus pulls guard effortlessly.
Ahvenus trying to control the position.

Copeland stands and steps away. Ahvenus gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The fight stays on the outside here - Copeland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copeland connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ahvenus tries for a takedown but Copeland circles away easily
and Copeland counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Copeland lands a jab to the nose.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ahvenus is defended easily by Copeland.
Copeland cracks Ahvenus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Copeland moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Copeland but Copeland pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ahvenus.
Ahvenus has his takedown stuffed
and Copeland cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Copeland darts in and clinches Ahvenus up against the cage.
Copeland dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Copeland stalling against the cage.
Ahvenus avoiding damage as Copeland throws knees to the body.
Copeland missing with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Copeland.
Copeland creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Copeland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ahvenus can do to turn this around?
Ahvenus being controlled against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland stalling against the cage.
Copeland seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Ahvenus avoids the elbow strike from Copeland, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copeland tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ahvenus takes an elbow to the temple.
Ahvenus drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Copeland gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Copeland throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Copeland using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ahvenus has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Copeland pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Copeland is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ahvenus blocks an elbow strike from Copeland.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus blocks an elbow strike from Copeland.
Copeland is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ahvenus is defending well for now.
Copeland trying to land knees to the body.
Copeland with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Copeland trying to land knees to the body.
Copeland is pushing Ahvenus up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ahvenus tries to pull guard but Copeland forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Ahvenus pulls guard successfully.

Ahvenus is working an open guard so Copeland takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ahvenus misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ahvenus throws a push kick but Copeland slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Copeland moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ahvenus or perhaps it was just good defense by Copeland, which made it look bad.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.
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.
Ahvenus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ahvenus.
Copeland is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ahvenus landing strikes.
Copeland is trying to buck Ahvenus off.
Ahvenus in side control lands a decent elbow.
Copeland is pushing Ahvenus's head away, looking to escape. Ahvenus manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus moves into full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ahvenus cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Copeland is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Copeland 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.
Ahvenus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahvenus lands a big shot there that rocks Copeland but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ahvenus scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Copeland is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Ahvenus postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Copeland looks a forlorn figure.
Ahvenus tries to control but Copeland wriggling away.
Ahvenus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ahvenus lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Travis Copeland will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Simo Ahvenus's cut.
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. This is the final 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.
Ahvenus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Copeland misses with a two punch combination.
Nice uppercut there from Copeland.
Ahvenus scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ahvenus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ahvenus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Copeland tries to clinch up.
Copeland fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ahvenus on the side of the head.
Travis Copeland is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown but Copeland shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Travis Copeland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Ahvenus.
Copeland stuffs the takedown.
Copeland's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Copeland duly obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahvenus fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus walks into a straight right hand from Copeland.

Copeland instigates a clinch.
Ahvenus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Copeland just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ahvenus dodges an elbow strike from Copeland.
Copeland lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Copeland stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ahvenus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Copeland smiles and moves away.
Travis Copeland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Copeland wants to clinch up but Ahvenus keeps it at a distance.
Ahvenus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Copeland clinches up against the cage.
Ahvenus avoids a wild elbow strike from Copeland.
Ahvenus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Copeland.

That has opened up Simo Ahvenus's cut even more.
Copeland scores with a knee to the head.

Ahvenus is rocked!
Ahvenus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Copeland smiles and moves away.
Ahvenus fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Copeland swings for the body but Ahvenus moves out of range.
Ahvenus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Copeland defends it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahvenus looks for a takedown but Copeland sprawls well.
Copeland thuds his right hand into Ahvenus's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ahvenus is still on wobbly legs! Can Copeland finish him?
Ahvenus misses with a takedown attempt
and Ahvenus takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Travis Copeland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Copeland moves into the clinch.
Copeland looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Copeland throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland lands a damaging elbow.
Copeland landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ahvenus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Copeland lands an elbow inside.

The cut above Simo Ahvenus's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
A short body shot lands from Copeland as the two fighters clinch.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Copeland content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Copeland has Ahvenus pressed against the cage.
Copeland pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ahvenus is pressed against the cage. Copeland pushes back and unleashes a big elbow that really hurts Ahvenus! Two more big strikes from Copeland and Ahvenus crumples to the mat and taps out furiously due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Travis Copeland!
Travis Copeland decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.