PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Kotipelto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Svensson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Svensson
vs
Kotipelto

180 cm
20
184 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

187 cm
19
181 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Powerful

Rio Mma Clothing
Rio Mma Clothing

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Svensson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Timo Kotipelto!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotipelto closes the distance and clinches up with Svensson, looking for a takedown. Kotipelto pushes Svensson against the cage but Svensson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Kotipelto moves into range and clinches up with Svensson.
Kotipelto fails to pull guard.
Kotipelto tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dan Svensson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Kotipelto tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Svensson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kotipelto jumps guard and drags Svensson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Svensson wants to stand but Kotipelto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Kotipelto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svensson wants to stand but Kotipelto is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kotipelto is trying to keep Svensson in close.

Kotipelto looking for a guillotine here but Svensson defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto looking for a sweep. Not yet Kotipelto, not yet.

Svensson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Svensson lands with an uppercut that bounces Kotipelto off the cage and back into rage.
Svensson misses with a hook.
Kotipelto ducks under a wild hook from Svensson.
Kotipelto dives in and grabs Svensson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Svensson pushes down on Kotipelto's head and hops out.
Kotipelto slips a straight right by Svensson.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kotipelto.
Svensson throws a hook but Kotipelto blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Svensson misses with a few strikes there.

Kotipelto closes the distance and clinches.
Svensson tries to break free but Kotipelto pushes him back against the cage.
Kotipelto stalling.

Svensson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kotipelto moves out of range as Svensson strikes.
Svensson misses with an uppercut.
Svensson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Svensson leaves Kotipelto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kotipelto ducks under a wild hook from Svensson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto ducks under a wild hook from Svensson.
Svensson misses with an uppercut. Kotipelto saw that one coming.
Kotipelto slips a jab from Svensson.
Kotipelto moves in looking to clinch but Svensson pushes him off.
Kotipelto blocks a jab.
Kotipelto tries to clinch but Svensson is having none of it.
Svensson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Svensson wants it to stay on the feet.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kotipelto manages to avoid it.
Kotipelto moves out of range of the strikes.

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 moves away from the strike by Svensson.
Kotipelto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Svensson throws a hook but Kotipelto avoids it easily.
Svensson stuffs the takedown attempt from Kotipelto. Kotipelto gets slowly back to his feet.
Svensson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Svensson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kotipelto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kotipelto tries to clinch there but Svensson circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dan Svensson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kotipelto shoots in but no luck this time.

Kotipelto instigates a clinch.
Kotipelto has Svensson pressed against the cage, preventing Svensson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kotipelto prevents Svensson from breaking the clinch.
Kotipelto tries for a takedown. No joy.
Svensson is looking to break free of the clinch but Kotipelto has double underhooks.
Svensson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Svensson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson stops a takedown attempt from Kotipelto.
Dan Svensson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Kotipelto has Svensson pressed against the cage, preventing Svensson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kotipelto can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kotipelto.
Svensson wants to get back to striking at distance but Kotipelto won't allow it.
Kotipelto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Svensson gets underhooks to prevent Kotipelto's takedown attempt.
Kotipelto looking for a takedown.
Kotipelto tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Svensson smiles and moves away.
Svensson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kotipelto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Svensson lands with a good body shot.
Kotipelto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Svensson sprawls well. Svensson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kotipelto gets slowly back to his feet.
Svensson throws a shot from downtown. Kotipelto moves away and avoids it.
Svensson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Svensson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kotipelto.
Svensson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kotipelto on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kotipelto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Svensson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson's corner calls for a 1-2. Svensson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Kotipelto closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kotipelto lands in his opponent's guard.
Svensson wants to stand and escape but Kotipelto is having none of it.
Kotipelto's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kotipelto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Svensson wants to stand up but Kotipelto is controlling him.
Kotipelto wants to control from the top but Svensson keeps moving.

Kotipelto stands up and waves to Svensson to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Svensson misses.
Svensson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Svensson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kotipelto is defended easily by Svensson.
Kotipelto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Svensson defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dan Svensson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The crowd cheers as Svensson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kotipelto doesn't seem phased though.
Svensson throws the left hand but Kotipelto avoids the punch easily.
Kotipelto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Svensson.
Svensson tests Kotipelto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A jab from Svensson misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kotipelto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svensson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kotipelto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Svensson finds it's way round the side to connect with Kotipelto's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Svensson throws a hook but Kotipelto avoids it easily.
Svensson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kotipelto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kotipelto shoots for a double leg takedown but Svensson sprawls well. He's pushed Kotipelto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Svensson throws a lazy right hand but Kotipelto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kotipelto bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kotipelto is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Svensson has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kotipelto swings around for an armbar but Svensson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kotipelto's guard.
Kotipelto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Svensson wants to stand but Kotipelto is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Svensson gets to his feet - Kotipelto follows without any prompting.
Kotipelto tries to clinch up but Svensson circles away and keeps his distance.
Svensson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kotipelto wants to clinch up but Svensson keeps it at a distance.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kotipelto was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
Svensson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kotipelto dives in and grabs Svensson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Svensson pushes down on Kotipelto's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson misses with a hook.
Svensson throws out a loose jab but Kotipelto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kotipelto misses with a takedown attempt - Svensson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dan Svensson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Kotipelto ducks under a wild hook from Svensson.
Kotipelto shoots in for a double leg but Svensson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kotipelto dives in and grabs Svensson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Svensson pushes down on Kotipelto's head and hops out.
Kotipelto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Svensson avoids it really well and circles away.
Svensson leaves Kotipelto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

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 drives through and clinches with Svensson against the cage.
Svensson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Svensson is trying to break the clinch but Kotipelto is controlling him.
Svensson tries to break the clinch but Kotipelto is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensson working hard to break the clinch.
Kotipelto keeps control of Svensson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Timo Kotipelto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kotipelto tries to pull guard but Svensson won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Svensson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Svensson, 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dan Svensson!