PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steven Kopp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kopp
vs
Rivera

170 cm
26
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steven Kopp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rivera is defended easily by Kopp.
Rivera misses with the combination.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Rivera 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.
Kopp tries for a takedown but Rivera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kopp drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Rivera is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kopp has been working on his balance at Soul Supremacy Rio, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Rivera.
Rivera misses with the head strike.
Rivera using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kopp has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kopp is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rivera is defending well.

Rivera lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kopp is trying to maintain the position but Rivera is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivera is just content to waste time from the top position. Kopp takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopp wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivera wants to control from the top but Kopp keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rivera controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rivera preventing the sweep.
Kopp keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
Kopp throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Kopp wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Kopp closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rivera's guard.
Kopp throws a big right hand that misses.
Kopp connects with a couple of short punches.
Kopp is in close to Rivera's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kopp being controlled here momentarily.
Kopp stands and throws Rivera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kopp lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Check out the look on Kopp's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kopp is putting a hurting on Rivera here, landing some big shots from side control.
Kopp lands a few punches from side control.

It looks like Alex Rivera has been cut.
Rivera gets back to half guard.
Kopp looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopp working over Rivera with some ground and pound. Rivera looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kopp working Rivera over with strikes.
Kopp working Rivera over with strikes.
Kopp working the head and body with strikes.
Kopp takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kopp lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kopp lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kopp lands a nice short elbow.
Rivera is trying to stand up here but Kopp is controlling him well.
Ground and pound from Kopp.
Kopp lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rivera can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rivera is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kopp scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera has hold of Kopp's hands but Kopp slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kopp working the head and body with strikes.
Rivera on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Rivera is rocked!
Kopp is nestled in close to Rivera, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rivera is still in real trouble! Can Kopp finish him?
Rivera has hold of Kopp's hands but Kopp slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kopp is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kopp not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rivera seems to have recovered his senses.
Ground and pound from Kopp.
Rivera has hold of Kopp's hands but Kopp slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kopp drops an elbow to the side of Rivera's head.
Rivera taking some punishment here, with Kopp in his half guard.
Kopp is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Rivera is hurt! He's hurt bad - Kopp fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Rivera from any more punishment! Congratulations to Kopp! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Steven Kopp!
A very excited looking Steven Kopp made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.