PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Kotipelto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Preston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Timo Kotipelto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kotipelto
vs
Preston

187 cm
19
181 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Rio Mma Clothing - PROMOTION $25

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Timo Kotipelto!
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, John Preston!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotipelto tries for a takedown but Preston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Preston does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kotipelto keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Preston throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
John Preston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Preston throws a sloppy head kick and Kotipelto moves out of range easily.
Preston pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kotipelto shoots for a takedown but Preston saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Preston throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Preston slaps away a takedown attempt from Kotipelto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Preston throws a nice inside leg kick.

Kotipelto scores with a takedown into Preston's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto trying to control the position from guard on top but Preston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kotipelto stands and steps away. Preston gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Preston throws a head kick but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Preston avoids the head kick by Kotipelto.

Kotipelto changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Preston looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Kotipelto is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Preston is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Preston is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kotipelto asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preston prevents Kotipelto from moving into mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sloppy strikes there by Kotipelto.
Kotipelto working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Kotipelto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kotipelto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kotipelto controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Kotipelto is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Preston is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kotipelto swings around for an armbar but Preston sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kotipelto's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kotipelto tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kotipelto has his foot on Preston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Preston works his way back into a safe position though.
Kotipelto trying to control the position.

Kotipelto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kotipelto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Preston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Preston manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Kotipelto looking for a guillotine here but Preston defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Kotipelto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Preston connects with a solid leg kick.
Preston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kotipelto.
Preston chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick misses from Preston.
Kotipelto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Preston tries to avoid it but Kotipelto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Preston to the ground. Preston escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kotipelto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Preston but Preston pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preston misses with a low kick.
Preston throws a front kick aimed at Kotipelto's knee but Kotipelto avoids it well.
Preston throws a push kick but Kotipelto slaps the foot to one side.
Kotipelto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Preston sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Preston throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Preston.
Preston avoids the body shot from Kotipelto.
Preston feints and then cracks Kotipelto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kotipelto down.
Preston connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preston throws a head kick but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Preston looks to land a body kick but Kotipelto moved away.

Kotipelto gets a clinch.
Preston gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kotipelto.
Preston prevents the takedown attempt.
Preston working hard to break the clinch.

Kotipelto pulls Preston into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto working a defensive guard here.

Kotipelto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Preston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Preston has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kotipelto is proving hard to escape from.
Preston must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four 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.

Kotipelto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kotipelto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Preston gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kotipelto working for a triangle but Preston defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kotipelto trying to keep a closed guard but Preston is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Preston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Preston throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kotipelto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Preston sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Preston throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Preston throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Preston gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kotipelto to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kotipelto wants to control from the top but Preston keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto is looking to advance position but Preston has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Preston is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Kotipelto is desperately trying to improve his position but Preston has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kotipelto tries to lock up and control but Preston gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Preston is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Kotipelto is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kotipelto is working hard here to advance position.

Kotipelto bucks up and throws Preston to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Preston throws a chopping leg kick but Kotipelto manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Preston lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kotipelto fails with a takedown attempt.
Kotipelto fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Preston looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Kotipelto drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kotipelto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Preston is working an open guard so Kotipelto takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Preston throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Preston looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kotipelto misses with a few strikes there.
John Preston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crunch! Preston slams his shin into Kotipelto's torso.
Preston misses with a body kick.
Kotipelto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Preston's waist but Preston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kotipelto off to one side.
A solid body kick from Preston.
Preston wants to slow Kotipelto down by chopping away at his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Preston.
I think Preston has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Preston!