PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sage Kopel (ranked 3410 p4p, 3907 weight class) and Fabio Gurgel (ranked 448 p4p, 488 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kopel
vs
Gurgel

200 cm
25
200
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
215
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Shadow Realm NYC
Fantasy Threads

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sage Kopel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Gurgel!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kopel tries to sprawl but Gurgel drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Gurgel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Gurgel is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kopel holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Gurgel uses his free foot to push down on Kopel's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kopel.
Kopel wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kopel is trying to escape the mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kopel wants to try and get back to his feet.
Gurgel tries to control but Kopel wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kopel wants to hold on but Gurgel pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopel is controlling an arm, preventing Gurgel from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Kopel really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gurgel working for a guillotine from mount but Kopel is in no mood to give up.
Gurgel tries to control but Kopel wriggling away.

Gurgel working for a guillotine from mount but Kopel is in no mood to give up.
Kopel wants to hold on but Gurgel pushes him away.
Kopel prevents Gurgel from taking his back.

Gurgel looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gurgel looking for a guillotine from mount but Kopel is having none of it.
Gurgel takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kopel knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gurgel on the ground.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gurgel avoids the attempt from Kopel to control.
Gurgel controlling the pace for now.

Gurgel is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kopel can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kopel is trying to escape the mount but Gurgel keeps good control and instead manages to take Kopel's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kopel is trying to defend against the choke here but Gurgel has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Gurgel Tightens the hold and Kopel taps out furiously! Gurgel displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fabio Gurgel!