PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Fochi (ranked 3466 p4p, 4666 weight class) and Jeff Cooper (ranked 408 p4p, 497 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fochi
vs
Cooper

168 cm
26
182
9 - 9 - 1

180 cm
24
170
3 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 9 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Fochi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeff Cooper!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cooper lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cooper is looking to clinch.
Cooper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fochi as he jumps to the side.
Cooper misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fochi.
Fochi with a jab.
Fochi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cooper.
Cooper checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fochi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cooper throws a body punch but Fochi moves out of range.
Fochi misses with a head kick.
Cooper with the counter takedown but Fochi avoids it easily.
Fochi throws a head kick but Cooper moves out of range.
Fochi tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cooper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fochi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fochi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Cooper has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fochi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fochi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

It looks like Jeff Cooper has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fochi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cooper won't allow Fochi to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fochi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cooper defends it easily.

Fochi is looking for a triangle but Cooper pushes his legs off easily.
Cooper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cooper wants to pass the guard but Fochi is keeping the position.

Fochi working for a triangle but Cooper defends it easily.
Cooper won't allow Fochi to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cooper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fochi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cooper has managed to get both his arms back between Fochi's legs - danger averted.
Cooper tries to free his leg and advance position but Fochi is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fochi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cooper has picked Fochi up and slammed him! Fochi can't keep hold of the triangle and Cooper manages to pass to side control!

Cooper thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fochi sneaks back into half guard.
Fochi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cooper's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cooper's back!

Fochi looking to break Cooper's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Cooper remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Fochi will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cooper is looking to escape here. Oh dear - Fochi has locked on a rear naked choke here! Cooper is tapping out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Michael Fochi!