PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Koppinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Koppinen might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Groin kick - Pain time. Benjamin Koppinen has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Koppinen
vs
Cruz

174 cm
20
155 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

160 cm
20
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Worldwide Nutrition (160q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Benjamin Koppinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wanderlei Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koppinen throws a right hand that Cruz ducks under and follows up with a left that Cruz also avoids with ease.
And Cruz tries to counter it with a takedown but Koppinen pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Koppinen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Holding Cell in the buildup to the fight.
Cruz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cruz darts in looking for a takedown but Koppinen gets double underhooks and turns Cruz into the cage.
Koppinen stuffs the takedown.
Cruz takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Wanderlei Cruz has been cut.

Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cruz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koppinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cruz takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Koppinen is looking to improve his position.
Koppinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cruz is working away from the top position though.
Cruz controlling the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nice defenses there by Koppinen.
A leg kick checked by Cruz.
Koppinen misses with a head kick.
Cruz shoots for a takedown but Koppinen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Benjamin Koppinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wanderlei Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Koppinen.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Koppinen lands a left and a right that send Cruz crashing to the mat, dazed. Koppinen thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz has his takedown stuffed
letting Koppinen counter with a right hand.

Cruz is rocked!

That has opened up Wanderlei Cruz's cut even more.
Koppinen closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Cruz! Koppinen dives in looking to finish! Cruz is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Benjamin Koppinen!
Post fight, an emotional Benjamin Koppinen said 'Thanks to Infinity for letting me a part of this org. It is my time to move in different place.. Im going to try KT next!'.