PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Couture (ranked 2135 p4p, 2756 weight class) and Elix Juarez (ranked 245 p4p, 303 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Couture
vs
Juarez

183 cm
25
172
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
170
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raphael Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elix Juarez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture throws a hook but Juarez avoids it easily.
Juarez steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Couture.

Juarez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Couture to the mat! Couture manages to get full guard.
Couture looking to control.

Juarez has gone for a leg lock! Couture slips out almost immediately though and dives into Juarez's guard.

Juarez is trying to keep Couture in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture is fighting to break Juarez's control of his arms but Juarez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Couture pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Juarez is keeping the position for now.
Juarez can't keep his opponent in guard - Couture advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture prevents Juarez from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juarez is refusing to be controlled, as Couture sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juarez is trying is best to control the position here.
Still in half guard, Couture seems content to control.
Juarez tries to get to full guard but Couture has control of the leg.
Juarez has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad The Island. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Juarez is staying active underneath Couture, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Couture seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Couture is looking to take a break and control but Juarez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Juarez wants to control but Couture is keeping busy.
Juarez wants to get back to full guard.
Couture looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Juarez keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Juarez tries to get to full guard but Couture has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Juarez wants to control but Couture is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Juarez looking for submissions off his back.
Couture is looking to advance position but Juarez won't allow it.
Couture works his way into full mount!
Juarez is squirming around, avoiding Couture's attempts to control the action.
Couture looking to control and managing it successfully.
Juarez is trying to escape the mount.
Juarez tries to hold on but Couture postures up.
Couture wants to control the pace but Juarez is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture controlling from mount.
Couture trying to control but Juarez is having none of it.
Juarez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Juarez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Juarez is working to get back to half guard.
Juarez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Couture trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Juarez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Couture takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Juarez tries to lock up and control but Couture gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to control but Juarez wriggling away.
Juarez is looking to improve his position but Couture isn't that keen on the idea.
Couture trying to control but Juarez is having none of it.
Couture is really struggling to control Juarez but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Juarez tries to hold on but Couture pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Juarez is looking to improve his position but Couture isn't that keen on the idea.
Juarez is still trying to improve position.
Couture controlling the position easily from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Couture dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Couture connects with a crisp jab.
Couture connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Juarez momentarily.

Juarez is rocked!

Juarez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Couture looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Juarez is still in real trouble! Can Couture finish him?
Couture tries to bench press Juarez off him but Juarez keeps the position.
Juarez seems to have recovered his senses.

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.
Couture manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Couture is defending against the submission attempts here by Juarez.
Couture wants to control but Juarez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Juarez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Juarez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Juarez wants to work for an arm triangle but Couture is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Couture wants to control but Juarez is keeping busy.
Raphael Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couture wants to get back to full guard.
Couture has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Juarez is working away from the top position though.

Juarez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Juarez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Couture sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Couture trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Juarez manages to pass to mount!

Juarez looking for a guillotine from mount but Couture is having none of it.

Couture defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Juarez.
Couture wants to hold on but Juarez pushes him away.
Juarez seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Couture is holding on tight.

Couture defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Juarez.
Couture is wriggling around trying to escape.

Juarez working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Juarez looking to isolate an arm here. Couture doesn't see it coming and as Juarez extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Juarez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Elix Juarez!