PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felipe Copello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Felipe Copello has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jack Popov's chin.

Popov
vs
Copello

178 cm
27
222 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

190 cm
23
222 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Felipe Copello!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Popov doesn't manage to clinch there - Copello circles away.
Copello misses with a two punch combination.
Popov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Copello counters with a stiff right hand.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Popov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt.
Popov closes the distance and clinches up with Copello, looking for a takedown. Popov pushes Copello against the cage but Copello circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Popov misses with a takedown attempt
and Copello counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Popov goes for a double leg but Copello avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Copello continues to drive forward.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Copello taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Copello has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Popov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Copello has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov goes for a takedown attempt but Copello pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt.
Popov closes the distance and clinches up with Copello, looking for a takedown. Popov pushes Copello against the cage but Copello circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Copello dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Copello throws a series of punches but Popov avoids them all with ease.
Jack Popov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Popov is countered with a crisp right hand from Copello that sends him to the canvas! Copello follows him to the mat into side control.

It looks like Jack Popov has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Copello misses with the ground and pound.
Popov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Copello presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Copello takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popov wants to hold on but Copello pushes him away.
Copello controlling from the full mount.
Copello looking to finish with strikes here!
Copello sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Popov is looking to improve his position but Copello isn't that keen on the idea.
Popov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Copello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popov blocking the ground and pound.
Popov is working to get back to half guard.
Copello sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popov is in a horrible position here. Copello smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Popov tries to lock up and control but Copello gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Copello tries to control but Popov wriggling away.
Copello controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Copello looking to control but Popov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Copello tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Popov wants to hold on but Copello pushes him away.
Popov is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Popov regains half guard.
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!
Popov wants to control but Copello is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felipe Copello dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Popov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Popov.
Copello scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Popov gets a clinch.
Come on Popov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Copello dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Popov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Copello keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Copello avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Popov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Popov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Popov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copello throws a monster overhand right that drops Popov! Copello follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Felipe Copello!