PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andy Kopecki (ranked 1562 p4p, 1417 weight class) and Nikolai Kaspersky (ranked 188 p4p, 171 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kopecki
vs
Kaspersky

187 cm
31
190
10 - 5 - 0

180 cm
29
188
15 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andy Kopecki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Kaspersky!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kopecki misses.
Kaspersky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kaspersky staying out of range there.
A jab from Kopecki misses.
Kopecki throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Kopecki misses the target.
Kopecki throws a leg kick

so Kaspersky counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Kopecki pushes Kaspersky off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kopecki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some bone on bone action there as Kaspersky checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kaspersky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A low kick from Kopecki is predictable there

and Kaspersky counters with a single leg into guard. Kopecki didn't expect that.
Kopecki keeping moving, preventing Kaspersky from controlling successfully.
Kaspersky controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaspersky makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kaspersky pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kopecki is keeping the position for now.
Kaspersky throwing strikes from guard but Kopecki blocks nicely.
Kopecki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kaspersky is controlling him.
Kaspersky wants to control from the top but Kopecki keeps moving.
Kaspersky is looking to work some ground and pound but Kopecki has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaspersky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kopecki is pulling down on Kaspersky's head. It's preventing any offense from Kaspersky, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kaspersky avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kaspersky is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kaspersky scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kopecki throws a hook to the side of Kaspersky's head but Kaspersky sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kaspersky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kaspersky ducks under a wild hook from Kopecki.
Kaspersky keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kopecki.
Kaspersky with the counter takedown but Kopecki avoids it easily.
Kopecki misses with a hook. Kaspersky ducked under it nicely.
Kaspersky ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaspersky uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kopecki.
Kopecki throws a jab but it's blocked by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kopecki ducks under a wild hook from Kaspersky.
Kopecki misses with a combination

and Kaspersky counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kopecki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaspersky throws an elbow that misses. Kopecki uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kaspersky's guard. Nice move by Kopecki!

Kopecki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kaspersky looking to control.
Kaspersky might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kopecki haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki wants to get up but he can't break Kaspersky's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kopecki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kaspersky looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Let's hope that Kaspersky has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kopecki controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Kopecki dominated that round.
That's time! Kopecki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kopecki throws a leg kick but Kaspersky checks it.
Kopecki misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kaspersky counter with a right hand.
A low kick from Kopecki misses

so Kaspersky counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kopecki controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaspersky wants to control from the top but Kopecki keeps moving.
Kaspersky stopping the sweep attempt from Kopecki.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaspersky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kaspersky is looking to work some ground and pound but Kopecki has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaspersky sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kopecki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaspersky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kopecki connects with a body shot that sends Kaspersky's belly button to the back.
Kopecki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kaspersky jabs Kopecki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A slow jab from Kopecki misses its intended target.
Andy Kopecki is winning the standup battle so far.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kopecki.
Kopecki misses with a hook.
Kopecki swings for the body but Kaspersky moves out of range.
Kopecki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kopecki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kopecki throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kaspersky counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kopecki!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kaspersky fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaspersky wants to control but Kopecki is keeping him busy.
Kaspersky working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kaspersky controlling the position.
Kaspersky looking to control but instead Kopecki has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Kaspersky controlling the action here.
Kopecki is trying to stand back up but Kaspersky is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kopecki is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaspersky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kaspersky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kaspersky connects with a nice short shot to Kopecki's temple.
Kaspersky throwing shots but Kopecki is blocking nicely.
Kopecki is trying to stand back up but Kaspersky is controlling him
Kopecki is looking to control Kaspersky's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kopecki avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A low kick from Kopecki is predictable there

and Kaspersky counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kopecki!
Kopecki defending against the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaspersky working the ground and pound but Kopecki is defending the strikes.
Kopecki is not content to let Kaspersky control the position.
Kaspersky scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kaspersky trying to control the action but Kopecki is working from the bottom.
Kaspersky with the ground and pound but Kopecki regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Kaspersky seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kopecki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kaspersky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kopecki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kopecki throws a jab when Kaspersky was well out of range.
Kaspersky keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kopecki.
Kopecki misses with a straight right.
Kopecki throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kopecki misses with a body shot.
Kaspersky on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kopecki misses with a combination
and Kaspersky cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kopecki.
A jab from Kaspersky misses.
Kaspersky blocks a jab.
A low kick from Kopecki is predictable there

and Kaspersky counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaspersky thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kopecki's head.
Kaspersky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kaspersky trying to control the pace.
Kaspersky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kaspersky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kaspersky in particular looking to stall.
Kopecki is looking for a sweep. Kaspersky is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kaspersky working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kaspersky throwing shots but Kopecki is blocking nicely.

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.
Kopecki wants to get back to full guard.
Kaspersky lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kopecki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kaspersky working over Kopecki with some ground and pound. Kopecki looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kaspersky trying to control the action but Kopecki is working from the bottom.
Kaspersky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kopecki is staying active underneath Kaspersky, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kaspersky seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kopecki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kopecki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki throws an overhand right that lands on Kaspersky's shoulder, as Kaspersky tries to avoid the shot.
Kaspersky lands with an uppercut that bounces Kopecki off the cage and back into range.
Kopecki throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kaspersky counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nikolai Kaspersky has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kaspersky lands a nice short elbow.
Kaspersky is thwarting Kopecki's attempts to control the position.
Kaspersky content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kaspersky throwing shots but Kopecki is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopecki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kopecki is staying active underneath Kaspersky, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kopecki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kaspersky not doing much here.
Kaspersky throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kaspersky lands with a punch from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kaspersky connects with a nice short shot to Kopecki's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kopecki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kaspersky.
Kaspersky is keen to just control but Kopecki is a slippery customer.
Kaspersky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kopecki defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kaspersky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kaspersky has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kaspersky!
Nikolai Kaspersky decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.