The Island Season 15, 170 lbs, Round 4 PBP Commentary

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Elix Juarez (ranked 543 p4p, 1230 weight class) and Raphael Couture (ranked 71 p4p, 0 weight class). Raphael Couture has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Elix Juarez's chin.

Juarez
vs
Couture

180 cm
27
170
11 - 4 - 0

183 cm
27
172
9 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elix Juarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raphael Couture!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Juarez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Juarez definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Juarez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Couture is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Couture's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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

Juarez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Couture knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Couture is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Juarez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Couture knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Couture has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Couture is trying to control Juarez's posture but Juarez avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Juarez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Couture is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Juarez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Couture tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Juarez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Couture is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Juarez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Couture looking for submissions off his back.

Couture is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Juarez pulls his head out easily.
Couture moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Couture looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture is looking for a triangle but Juarez pushes his legs off easily.
Couture keeping moving, preventing Juarez from controlling successfully.

Couture has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Juarez should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Couture has tightened it up now! Juarez should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Raphael Couture!