PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Diggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Butch Copeland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Franklin Diggs has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Diggs
vs
Copeland

185 cm
25
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

166 cm
25
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Franklin Diggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Butch Copeland!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Winston Alpacca and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Copeland displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diggs throws out the jab.
Copeland will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diggs listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Copeland has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Diggs.
Nice defenses there by Copeland.
Copeland has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Diggs feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Copelands jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Franklin Diggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Copeland checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Copeland rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Diggs counters with a nice body shot.
Diggs looks to land a left hand but Copeland moved out of range nicely.
Diggs throws a solid leg kick but Copeland takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Diggs.
Diggs tries to land a leg kick but Copeland saw it coming and moves away.
Diggs connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Diggs scores with a jab to the jaw.

Copeland manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Diggs on his heels. He'll look to pass Diggs's guard now, I'm sure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diggs trying to keep a closed guard but Copeland is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Copeland looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Copeland throwing strikes from guard but Diggs blocks nicely.
Copeland content to stall in guard here.
Copeland trying to control but Diggs is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Butch Copeland was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Diggs misses with a kick to the body.
Diggs ducks under a wild hook from Copeland.
Diggs misses with a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Diggs misses.
Diggs is looking to clinch.
Diggs throws a hook to the side of Copeland's head but Copeland sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Copeland takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Diggs throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Copeland stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Copeland fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Diggs sprawls well initially but Copeland persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Copeland throwing shots but Diggs is blocking nicely.
Copeland is pressing down on Diggs's thigh, looking to free his foot. Diggs is holding on for now.
Diggs knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Copeland on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Copeland wants to work for an arm triangle but Diggs is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Diggs is looking to control Copeland's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diggs avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Copeland is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Copeland stalling away here and it's allowed Diggs to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Copeland postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Diggs is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Copeland, into his guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Copeland looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diggs is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggs trying to control but Copeland is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Copeland looking for a sweep. Not yet Copeland, not yet.

Copeland working for a triangle but Diggs defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Copeland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diggs is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Butch Copeland will probably get the nod.
That's time! Diggs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

That kick from Diggs tenderised Copeland's leg. Copeland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Diggs tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Copeland changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Diggs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Copeland trying to control the action but Diggs is working from the bottom.

Copeland has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Diggs is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Copeland yanks on the arm and Diggs is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Copeland.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Butch Copeland!
Butch Copeland tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.