PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Couture (ranked 1855 p4p, 1952 weight class) and Roman Vitali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vitali has chosen ULKENDER - Machenskii as his entrance music. The key to victory for Raphael Couture has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Couture
vs
Vitali

183 cm
27
172
7 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
180
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
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 7 - 6 - 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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Roman Vitali!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Couture drives through and clinches with Vitali against the cage.

Vitali ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vitali no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Vitali looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Couture drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vitali dives on top into guard.

Couture is trying to control the position but Vitali postures up.
Couture has control of Vitali's left arm, preventing Vitali from doing any damage.
Vitali is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Vitali makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Couture being controlled here, momentarily.
Couture has Vitali pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture wants to control the position but Vitali says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Couture is looking to improve his position.
Vitali content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture moves into full guard.
Couture trying to control the position.

Couture has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vitali can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vitali sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Vitali won't allow Couture to sweep him here.

Couture has his foot on Vitali's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vitali works his way back into a safe position though.
Couture is trying to control the position but Vitali postures up.

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.

Couture throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vitali postures up.
Vitali showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture working a defensive guard here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Couture throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Couture looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vitali is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitali looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Couture working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vitali doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Couture is tightening it up a little... Vitali has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Vitali reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Vitali taps out! Nice BJJ there by Couture!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Raphael Couture!