PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wasyl Plutov (ranked 878 p4p, 1508 weight class) and Travis Copeland (ranked 117 p4p, 196 weight class). Wasyl Plutov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Plutov
vs
Copeland

178 cm
40
155
33 - 23 - 1

175 cm
32
165
20 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wasyl Plutov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Copeland!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Patrick Alders and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Plutov misses its intended target.
A right-left combo lands from Plutov.

It looks like Travis Copeland has been cut.

Copeland moves into range and clinches up with Plutov.
Copeland has Plutov pushed against the cage.
Copeland misses with a punch on the inside.
Copeland working aggressively here.
Copeland working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Copeland slows down the pace here.
Copeland landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Copeland misses with a short punch on the inside.
Copeland on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Plutov tries a body shot but Copeland blocks it.
Plutov stalling the fight.
Plutov has Copeland pressed against the cage.
Copeland lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Copeland content to slow the pace in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Copeland effectively controlling the action here.
Copeland receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copeland content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Plutov misses with some punches.
Plutov misses with the head strike.
Plutov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Plutov misses with some punches.
A short right from Copeland on the inside.
Copeland scores with a shoulder strike.
Copeland scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Copeland crunches a lovely knee into Plutov's ribcage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Plutov working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Copeland.
A nice left hand lands by Copeland.
Plutov looking to slow down the pace here.
Plutov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Copeland is leaning against Plutov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Copeland on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland blocks a body shot from Plutov.
Copeland lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Plutov or not.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Plutov pushes off an throws an elbow but Copeland leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Plutov working aggressively here.
A bit of stalling here from Copeland.
Copeland lands a left hand.
Plutov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Plutov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Copeland comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Copeland throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Plutov throws an elbow that misses.
Copeland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland unloads a knee to the mid-section. Plutov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Plutov is breathing heavily.
Copeland is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Copeland struggles to land a body shot inside as Plutov controls his hands.
Plutov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Copeland is keeping busy.
Plutov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Copeland is defending well for now.
Copeland lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Copeland.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Copeland blocks the elbow strike.
Copeland unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nice body punch from Copeland.
Copeland lands with a right to the head.
A short uppercut from Copeland.
Copeland throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A nice left hand lands by Copeland.
A nice left hand lands by Copeland.
Copeland lands a good knee to the midsection. Plutov won't want to take too many of those.
Plutov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Copeland works on Plutov's body with a couple of short punches.
Copeland landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Copeland stalling.
Plutov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Copeland.
Copeland comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Wasyl Plutov has been cut.
Copeland lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Copeland lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Copeland.
Copeland digs a right hand underneath Plutov's ribcage. Plutov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Copeland lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Copeland lands a nice uppercut.
Copeland lands an elbow that stopped Plutov in his tracks for a moment.
Plutov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Copeland scores with a hook to the body.
Copeland with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Plutov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Copeland lands with a short shot to the head.
Copeland lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland lands a hook to the side of the head.
Copeland stalling.
Copeland utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Copeland has Plutov pushed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Copeland crunches a lovely knee into Plutov's ribcage.
Copeland unloads a knee to the mid-section. Plutov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Copeland dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Copeland slips a straight right by Plutov.
Copeland throws out a counter right but Plutov avoids it with no problem.
Plutov throws a series of punches but Copeland avoids them all with ease.
Copeland tries to clinch up but Plutov circles away and keeps his distance.
Copeland avoids the head kick by Plutov.
A slow jab from Plutov misses its intended target.

Copeland has taken the fight to the clinch.
Plutov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Plutov takes a shot to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Copeland - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Plutov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Copeland is defending well for now.
Plutov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Copeland lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland lands a hook that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Plutov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Copeland scores with a shot to the side of Plutov's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Copeland scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Copeland.
Copeland is leaning against Plutov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Copeland.
Copeland is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Copeland lands a body punch in the clinch.
Copeland digs a right hand underneath Plutov's ribcage. Plutov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Copeland lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Plutov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Copeland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland pressing his opponent against the cage.
Copeland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Copeland stalling.
Copeland dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Copeland's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Copeland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Copeland.
Copeland blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Copeland lands with a light punch inside.
Copeland tries to stall but Plutov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Copeland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Copeland fails with an attempt to clinch.
Plutov connects with a crisp jab.

Copeland closes the distance and pushes Plutov back into the cage.
Copeland lands a left hand.
Plutov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Copeland scores with a shot to the side of Plutov's head.
Plutov swings wildly with an uppercut but Copeland uses good head movement to avoid it.
Plutov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland misses with a punch to the body.
Copeland cracks Plutov with a nice body shot.
Copeland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Plutovs head.
Copeland crunches a lovely knee into Plutov's ribcage.
Copeland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland gets through Plutov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Copeland scores with a nice hook to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Copeland takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Copeland lands a shoulder strike.
Plutov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland lands a nice shot to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Copeland.
Copeland lands a right hand that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland lands a body punch in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Copeland scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Plutov taking a breather.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the head but Plutov blocks with his arms.
Copeland lands a nice uppercut.
Copeland pushes Plutov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Plutov avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Copeland blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Copeland's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Copeland cracks Plutov with a nice body shot.
Copeland lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short left from Copeland.
Copeland lands a left hand.
Come on Copeland - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Copeland is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Travis Copeland seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Copeland wants to stall.

Copeland breaks from the clinch.
Copeland tries to clinch but Plutov is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Copeland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Copeland tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Plutov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Copeland closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Copeland slowing the pace effectively.
Plutov working aggressively here.

Copeland pulls guard.
Plutov stopping the sweep attempt from Copeland.
Copeland is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Plutov wants to stand but Copeland has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Copeland 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 had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Plutov defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Copeland is pressing down on Plutov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Plutov is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copeland is looking to take a break and control but Plutov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Plutov tries to kick Copeland off but Copeland keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Copeland is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Copeland landing strikes, looking to finish!
Plutov really wants to buck Copeland off and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Copeland lands with some strikes.
Copeland landing shots from mount.
Plutov is trying to stand up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Plutov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Copeland.
Copeland has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Copeland lands a nice shot to the head.
Copeland looking to control but Plutov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Plutov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Copeland.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Plutov bucks Copeland off and manages to get back to his feet!
The fight stays on the outside here - Copeland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've been told by Plutov's head coaches at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wasyl Plutov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Plutov throws a head kick but Copeland moves out of range.

Copeland gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short right from Copeland.
Copeland scores with a nice hook to the head.
Copeland blocks an elbow strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Copeland.
Copeland works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Plutov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Copeland avoiding damage as Plutov throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland stalling against the cage.
Plutov trying to land knees to the body.
Plutov throws an elbow but it misses.
Plutov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Copeland avoids it.
Copeland scores with a shot to the side of Plutov's head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Copeland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Plutov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Plutov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Plutov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Copeland.
A head punch on the inside from Copeland fails to land.
Copeland on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Copeland working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Copeland lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Copeland taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Copeland dodges an elbow strike from Plutov.
Plutov tries to throw a body punch but Copeland avoids it by throwing Plutov back against the cage.
Plutov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Plutov trying to land knees to the body.
Copeland managing to block the knees to the body from Plutov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Plutov throws an elbow but misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Copeland.
Copeland lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Copeland lands a right hand that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Copeland scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Copeland lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wasyl Plutov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Copeland pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Copeland lands a shoulder strike.
Travis Copeland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Copeland lands with a left to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Copeland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Copeland winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Travis Copeland!
A very excited looking Travis Copeland 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.