PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Kotipelto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tex Ranger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotipelto comes to the cage accompanied by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant- Next Time I Fall . Ranger has chosen Eaten by Bloodbath as his entrance music. Timo Kotipelto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kotipelto
vs
Ranger

187 cm
22
181 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

184 cm
22
183 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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, Timo Kotipelto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tex Ranger!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ranger misses with an uppercut.
Ranger takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ranger keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Ranger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kotipelto's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ranger won't allow Kotipelto to sweep him here.

Ranger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kotipelto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ranger trying to control the position from guard on top but Kotipelto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kotipelto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ranger forces his way into half guard.

Kotipelto actively working from the bottom here.
Kotipelto is refusing to be controlled, as Ranger sits in half guard.
Kotipelto is trying to control but can't.
Ranger is keen to just control but Kotipelto is a slippery customer.

Kotipelto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kotipelto is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ranger is looking for a kimura but Kotipelto is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ranger to get the leverage.
Ranger working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kotipelto's thigh. Kotipelto counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Kotipelto looking for a guillotine here but Ranger defends easily.
Kotipelto keeping moving, preventing Ranger from controlling successfully.
Kotipelto is trying to keep Ranger in close.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kotipelto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ranger is pushing down on Kotipelto's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kotipelto is fighting to maintain full guard but Ranger has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kotipelto is trying to get back to full guard.
Kotipelto is trying to control but can't.
Ranger wants to free his trapped foot but Kotipelto is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ranger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ranger is working for a kimura but Kotipelto is defending it quite comfortably.
Kotipelto is trying to control but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ranger is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
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 Timo Kotipelto will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kotipelto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kotipelto thows a body shot but no joy.
Kotipelto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Ranger shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kotipelto is trying to defend but Ranger finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kotipelto is trying to control but can't.
Kotipelto won't allow Ranger to pass to mount.
Ranger is trying to control. Kotipelto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Kotipelto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kotipelto looking for submissions off his back.
Kotipelto is not content to let Ranger control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto tries to roll over but Ranger keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kotipelto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ranger's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ranger's back!

Kotipelto working for a choke but Ranger is defending well.
Ranger manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kotipelto's guard. Nice work there by Ranger.
Ranger wants to control from the top but Kotipelto keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Kotipelto is looking for a triangle but Ranger pushes his legs off easily.
Ranger trying to control the position from guard on top but Kotipelto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Kotipelto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ranger is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranger controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Kotipelto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ranger is aware though and is defending well.
Ranger pushing down on Kotipelto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ranger uses his free foot to push down on Kotipelto's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kotipelto.
Kotipelto tries to hold on but Ranger postures up.
Kotipelto is controlling an arm, preventing Ranger from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Ranger tries to take Kotipelto's back but instead Kotipelto uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Ranger uses his free foot to push down on Kotipelto's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kotipelto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ranger moves to the back.

Kotipelto is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kotipelto turns into Ranger and is now in his guard.
Ranger looking for a sweep. Not yet Ranger, not yet.
Kotipelto passes into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kotipelto passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ranger is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tex Ranger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kotipelto shoots and misses
and Ranger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ranger ducks under a wild hook from Kotipelto.
Kotipelto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Ranger is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kotipelto's half guard.
Kotipelto is looking to improve his position.
Ranger works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ranger controlling from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto tries to hold on but Ranger postures up.
Ranger pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Ranger avoids the attempt from Kotipelto to control.
Ranger is looking to work his way around to Kotipelto's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Kotipelto sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kotipelto has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ranger is working away from the top position though.
Ranger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kotipelto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ranger is keen to just control but Kotipelto is a slippery customer.
Ranger trying to mount his opponent but Kotipelto defends it.
Kotipelto tries to get to full guard but Ranger has control of the leg.
Kotipelto trying to control here.

Kotipelto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ranger stalling.
Ranger trying to pass the guard but Kotipelto defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranger is trying to control the action in half guard but Kotipelto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kotipelto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ranger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kotipelto has his hands clasped together around Ranger's back. He's all about the action.

Ranger is working for a kimura but Kotipelto is defending it quite comfortably.
Ranger is trying to control the action in half guard but Kotipelto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tex Ranger has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto looking for submissions off his back.

Kotipelto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ranger pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kotipelto is looking to control Ranger's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kotipelto avoid being mounted?
Ranger trying to pass the guard but Kotipelto defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kotipelto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ranger pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tex Ranger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ranger 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tex Ranger!