PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Kupper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philip Levasqua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Levasqua has chosen Basic Thuganomics-Thuganomics as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kupper
vs
Levasqua

185 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ben Kupper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Philip Levasqua!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Levasqua shoots in for a takedown but Kupper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Kupper has closed the distance and engaged Levasqua in a clinch.

Levasqua breaks from the clinch.

Kupper manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Levasqua on his heels. He'll look to pass Levasqua's guard now, I'm sure.
Kupper seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kupper trying to control but Levasqua is working from the bottom.
Levasqua is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Levasqua is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kupper controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Ben Kupper wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Levasqua fails to land the takedown.

Kupper rushes Levasqua and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kupper wants to break free but Levasqua has control.

Levasqua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Levasqua doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Kupper to counter with a crisp jab.
Ben Kupper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Philip Levasqua.

Kupper drives through with a takedown into guard.
Levasqua can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kupper controls the pace.
Levasqua is looking to stand up but Kupper isn't so interested in that idea.
Levasqua looks winded!
Kupper is looking to stand up but Levasqua won't let him.

Kupper drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kupper jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kupper stands and steps away. Levasqua gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kupper throws a right and a left that Levasqua avoids nicely.
Levasqua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kupper.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kupper ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Levasqua moves away.
Kupper throws a sloppy head kick and Levasqua moves out of range easily.
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!
Kupper tries to close the distance and clinch but Levasqua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kupper dives in and scores a takedown into Levasqua's guard.
Kupper trying to control but Levasqua is working from the bottom.
Levasqua really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kupper. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kupper wants to stand but Levasqua has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kupper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kupper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kupper stops Levasqua from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kupper lands a couple of elbows.
Levasqua is looking to stand back up but Kupper counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Levasqua.
Kupper is trying to control. Levasqua wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Kupper.
Kupper with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Kupper stands up out of the half guard.
Levasqua tries for a takedown but Kupper circles away easily

and Kupper counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Levasqua!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kupper lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Kupper stalls from top position.
Kupper has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Kupper is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Levasqua is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Levasqua tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Kupper looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kupper tries to control but Levasqua wriggling away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kupper sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Kupper dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kupper stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kupper wants it to stay on the feet.
Levasqua fails with the takedown.

Kupper darts in and clinches Levasqua up against the cage.

Levasqua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kupper throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Levasqua tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kupper is in Levasqua's guard.
Levasqua wants to stand and escape but Kupper is having none of it.
Kupper sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Levasqua's guard.
Levasqua wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Kupper seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levasqua is breathing heavily.
Kupper trying to mount his opponent but Levasqua defends it.
Kupper is trying to control. Levasqua wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ben Kupper.
Kupper misses with a takedown attempt - Levasqua sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kupper lands with a slapping head kick.

Kupper closes the distance and clinches.
Levasqua has had enough of the clinch but Kupper keeps him there for the moment.
Kupper tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Levasqua just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kupper stalling in the clinch but Levasqua improves position.
Levasqua is looking to break free of the clinch but Kupper has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kupper is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Kupper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kupper displaying some good clinch control by pressing Levasqua up against the cage.
Levasqua jumps guard but Kupper turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kupper pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Levasqua is trying to pull guard but Kupper has him pressed against the cage.
Kupper tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kupper is trying to maintain a safe position but Levasqua gets an underhook and turns Kupper into the cage.
Kupper is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Levasqua can do to turn this around?

Kupper tightens his grip and picks Levasqua up, before dumping him to the ground. Levasqua manages to land in guard.
Kupper prevents Levasqua from getting back to his feet.
Kupper controlling from the top position.
Kupper slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kupper tries to move into full mount but can't pass Levasqua's legs.
Kupper controls the position.
Kupper cracks Levasqua with a big right hand but Levasqua just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kupper is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Levasqua will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Kupper is working Levasqua over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kupper works to advance to full mount. Levasqua defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
You get the feeling that Levasqua really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Kupper fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Levasqua can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kupper working Levasqua over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kupper takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kupper with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kupper is trying to take his opponent's back.
Kupper controlling the position easily from mount.
Levasqua takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Levasqua is trying to stand up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kupper controlling the position easily from mount.

Kupper swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Kupper!