PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joesph Dredd (ranked 4022 p4p, 4968 weight class) and Sage Kopel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Dredd
vs
Kopel

184 cm
18
205
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
200
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Joesph Dredd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sage Kopel!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kopel closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dredd quickly recovers to half guard.
Kopel not doing much here.
It looks like Kopel might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Kopel prevents Dredd from improving his position.
Kopel slips a nice elbow through Dredd's hands, connecting with Dredd's forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kopel is looking for a kimura here.

Kopel is working for a kimura but Dredd is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dredd is looking to control Kopel's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dredd avoid being mounted?
Dredd has a hand on Kopel's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Kopel takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Kopel working Dredd over with strikes here.
Kopel landing shots from mount.
Kopel misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kopel is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dredd has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Dredd wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kopel avoiding Dredd 's attempts to control his hands.
Kopel is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Dredd. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

It looks like Joesph Dredd has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopel really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Dredd.
Dredd is covering up but some of the strikes from Kopel are getting through and doing damage.
Kopel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dredd wants to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kopel has good solid back control here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dredd trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Good control from Kopel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopel cracks Dredd with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Dredd from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Kopel is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Dredd trying to control but not successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopel keeps control of the position easily here as Dredd tries to buck him off.
Kopel missing with strikes from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sage Kopel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joesph Dredd's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kopel lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kopel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kopel slips under a jab.

Dredd gets tackled into the cage by Kopel. Kopel maintains the clinch.
Dredd wants to stall.
Dredd is trying to maintain a safe position but Kopel gets an underhook and turns Dredd into the cage.
Maybe Dredd would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Kopel tries to break the clinch but Dredd is controlling the position.

Kopel has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dredd uses from the top position.

Kopel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dredd trying to control but Kopel is working from the bottom.
Kopel trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kopel is on top in guard.

Kopel sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kopel tries to free his leg and advance position but Dredd is retaining full guard.

Kopel gets to his feet. Dredd looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kopel fails to land the takedown.
Dredd misses with a hook. Kopel ducked under it nicely.
Kopel appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Dredd paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sage Kopel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dredd cracks Kopel with a good jab.

Kopel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dredd is trying to defend but Kopel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dredd pushes Kopel off but Kopel dives into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dredd tries to bench press Kopel off him but Kopel keeps the position.
Dredd is working hard here to advance position.

Dredd wants to improve his position, back to half guard but Kopel has ideas of his own. He's got hold of Dredd's far side arm and it looks like he's got an Americana. Ohh! Ohhhh! OOOOOOOOOH! A human being's arm is not meant to bend like that! Dredd is tapping like a morse code operator on the Titanic! SOS SOS! He's out of here! Great win for Kopel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Sage Kopel!