PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gianni Castellana (ranked 540 p4p, 821 weight class) and Travis Copeland (ranked 78 p4p, 107 weight class). Castellana's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Good night. Travis Copeland told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Castellana
vs
Copeland

168 cm
31
165
15 - 11 - 0

175 cm
32
165
21 - 21 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Gianni Castellana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Copeland!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castellana throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Copeland on the side of the head.

It looks like Travis Copeland has been cut.

Copeland moves into the clinch successfully.
Copeland working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Copeland scores with a nice hook to the head.
Copeland is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Castellana throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Copelands head.
Copeland misses with the head strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Copeland.
Copeland misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castellana pushes Copeland back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Copeland is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Castellana manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Copeland is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Copeland misses with some punches.
Castellana looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castellana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Castellana just misses with a punch to the body.
Castellana lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gianni Castellana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Castellana misses the shot to the body.

Copeland clinches.
Castellana content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Copeland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Castellana lands a hook that snaps the head of Copeland backwards.
A bit of stalling here from Copeland.
Copeland stalling in the clinch.
Castellana misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Castellana.

Castellana manages to break the clinch.

Castellana clinches.
Castellana working aggressively here.
Copeland manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Castellana lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Copeland.
Copeland throws a punch but it's blocked by Castellana.

Copeland manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castellana fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Copeland.
Castellana scores with a decent looking hook.
Copeland doesn't manage to clinch there - Castellana circles away.
Copeland takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Castellana paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Castellana was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Castellana misses with a straight left.
A nice side step and Copeland releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Copeland gets a clinch.
Castellana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Copeland backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Castellana.
Copeland has Castellana pushed against the cage.
Castellana lands a body punch in the clinch.
Castellana avoiding damage.
Castellana scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castellana's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Castellana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Copeland's elbow.
Castellana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Castellana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Copeland rushes Castellana and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Copeland keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Castellana's efforts to push away.
Copeland lands an uppercut.
Castellana swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Copeland has a couple of punches blocked by Castellana.
Castellana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Copeland's elbow.
Copeland lands with a right to the head.
Castellana prevents a body shot from Copeland.
Copeland can't find room to land a body shot as Castellana controls the action.
Castellana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castellana can't find room to land a body shot as Copeland controls the action.

Copeland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Travis Copeland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Copeland tries to clinch
and Castellana makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castellana is looking to land body kicks.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Copeland! But no joy.
Jab by Castellana.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Copeland tries to clinch but Castellana moves out of range.
And Castellana counters with a quick kick to the body but Copeland blocks it.
Copeland fails to land with a series of punches.
Copeland tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Castellana manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Castellana misses
and Copeland counters with a series of strikes. Castellana will be more careful next time no doubt.
Castellana scores with a crisp jab that stopped Copeland in his tracks.
Copeland wants to clinch but Castellana slips to the side
and Castellana counters with a right hand to the body.
Castellana misses with a lunging right hand
and Copeland counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Castellana moves into the clinch successfully.
Castellana lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Copeland lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Gianni Castellana has been cut.
Copeland misses with the head strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Copeland doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gianni Castellana dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Castellana keeps the fight on the outside.
Castellana scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Castellana slips a jab from Copeland.
Castellana is looking to counter punch.
Copeland tries to clinch there but Castellana circles away.
Castellana throwing a counter right hand but Copeland manages to avoid it.
Copeland tries to clinch but Castellana is having none of it.

Castellana clinches up with Copeland and pushes him back against the cage.
Copeland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Copeland has Castellana pressed against the cage, preventing Castellana from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Castellana'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 lands with a short shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Copeland misses with a body punch.
Copeland takes a shot to the head.
Castellana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Copeland working aggressively here.
Copeland blocking some punches.
Castellana is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Castellana lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castellana can't find room to land a body shot as Copeland controls the action.
Castellana fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Copeland throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Copeland effectively controlling the action here.
A right hook to the body lands for Copeland.
Copeland blocking some punches.
Castellana working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Castellana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Copeland tries to stall but Castellana uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Copeland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland can't find room to land a body shot as Castellana controls the action.
Castellana is stalling here.

Copeland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Castellana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Copeland manages to avoid it.
Castellana misses with an uppercut. Copeland saw that one coming.
Copeland takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Castellana paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A slow jab from Castellana misses its intended target.

Castellana tries to keep at a distance but Copeland has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Copeland.
Castellana just leaning against Copeland, taking a breather.
Castellana is trying to maintain a safe position but Copeland gets an underhook and turns Castellana into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Castellana.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Copeland misses with a punch on the inside.
Castellana misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Copeland.
A short right from Castellana on the inside.
Castellana is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Copeland can do to turn this around?
A left hand lands to the body for Copeland.
Stalling in the clinch from Copeland.
Castellana tries a body shot but Copeland blocks it.
Copeland lands a body shot.
Castellana is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Copeland is keeping busy.
Copeland lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castellana trying to stall but Copeland improves his position.
Copeland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Castellana tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Copeland misses with the head strike.
Copeland swings wildly with an uppercut but Castellana uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Copeland on the inside.
Castellana trying to stall but Copeland improves his position.
Copeland misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Copeland goes for a takedown attempt but Castellana pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Copeland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Copeland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Copeland tries to clinch but Castellana is having none of it.
Copeland moves to clinch but Castellana breaks away
letting Castellana counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Copeland instigates a clinch.
Copeland scores with a shot to the side of Castellana's head.

Copeland breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Copeland tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Castellana manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Copeland closes the distance but Castellana moves to the side
and Castellana counters with a thumping low kick.
Travis Copeland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Copeland rushes Castellana and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Castellana tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Castellana.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castellana lands an uppercut.
Castellana lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Copeland working aggressively here.
Copeland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Copeland blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Copeland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castellanas head.
Travis Copeland seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Castellana.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gianni Castellana dominated that second 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Copeland rushes Castellana and presses him up against the cage.

Copeland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Castellana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Castellana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Castellana thuds his shin into the meat of Copeland's side.

Copeland has taken the fight to the clinch.
Castellana has a couple of punches blocked by Copeland.
Castellana lands with a right to the head.
Copeland is trying to break the clinch but Castellana is controlling him.
Castellana throws a punch but it's blocked by Copeland.
A nice left hand lands by Copeland.
Copeland tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Castellana avoids it.
Castellana pushes Copeland back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Castellana.
Castellana wants to stall.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Castellana seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Copeland is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Copeland's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Copeland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland misses with a hook from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Copeland.
Copeland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Copeland misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Copeland.
Copeland throws a punch but it's blocked by Castellana.
Copeland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Copeland is stalling here.
Copeland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Castellana walks away with a smile on his face. Copeland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Copeland fails in his attempt to clinch.
Copeland tries to close the distance and clinch up but Castellana swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Copeland tries to clinch up but Castellana circles away and keeps his distance.

Castellana closes the distance and clinches.
Copeland tries to stall but Castellana uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Castellana lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Castellana.
Copeland lands with a right to the head.
Castellana working hard to break the clinch.

Castellana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Copeland closes the distance looking to clinch
and Castellana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castellana throws a body punch but Copeland moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Copeland on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Copeland fails with an attempt to clinch.

Copeland moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Copeland as Castellana tries to tie him up.
Castellana blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Castellana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stalling in the clinch from Castellana.
Copeland misses with some punches.
Castellana managing to block the knees to the body from Copeland.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Copeland throws a head punch that misses.
Copeland takes a shot to the head.
Castellana working aggressively here.
Castellana presses Copeland against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Castellana takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Castellana blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Castellana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Castellana throws a head punch that misses.
Copeland doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Copeland lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Copeland tries to land knees in the clinch but Castellana avoids the damage to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Castellana creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Copeland is rocked!
Castellana pressing his opponent against the cage.
Copeland is still on wobbly legs! Can Castellana finish him?
Copeland misses with a body punch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Copeland seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castellana pressing his opponent against the cage.
Copeland misses with some punches.

Castellana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
That kick from Castellana tenderised Copeland's leg. Copeland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Castellana misses the jab.
Copeland tries to clinch but Castellana is having none of it.

Copeland darts in and clinches Castellana up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castellana is trying to maintain a safe position but Copeland gets an underhook and turns Castellana into the cage.
Copeland pushes Castellana back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Good body shot from Castellana.
Castellana prevents a body shot from Copeland.
A nice left hand lands by Copeland.
Copeland misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castellana lands a hook to the side of the head.
Travis Copeland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gianni Castellana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Copeland can't find room to land a body shot as Castellana controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gianni Castellana.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castellana, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gianni Castellana!
Gianni Castellana decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Travis Copeland stepped up to the mic, saying 'No one likes seeing their opponent's hand raised, but that just means that they were the better man today. My team at 3Band MMA and I will break down this match and make the proper changes for my next camp.'.