PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Maurelli (ranked 2305 p4p, 2223 weight class) and Jacob Hopson (ranked 296 p4p, 290 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Maurelli
vs
Hopson

185 cm
20
195
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
21
185
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Fast

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Maurelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jacob Hopson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maurelli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maurelli uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopson.
It looked like Maurelli wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jacob Hopson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopson swinging wildly here.
Hopson lands an overhand right.
Maurelli takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hopson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maurelli.
Maurelli takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maurelli misses with a looping right.
Hopson throws a counter combo.
Maurelli misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maurelli throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopson.
Maurelli throws a hook but Hopson avoids it easily.
Hopson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Hopson.
Hopson looks to land a left hand but Maurelli moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little feinted left hand from Maurelli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hopson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Maurelli misses with a shot to the body
letting Hopson counter with a right hand.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hopson.
Hopson throws a head kick that Maurelli semi-blocks.
Hopson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hopson throws a head kick but Maurelli moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Maurelli tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopson misses with a hook
and Hopson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Jacob Hopson has been cut.
Hopson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maurelli moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maurelli lands a jab to Hopson's midsection.
Hopson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hopson misses with a wild body shot.
Hopson misses with a straight right.
Maurelli slips under a jab from Hopson.
Maurelli swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hopson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hopson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maurelli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Hopson catches Maurelli right on the button with a cross.
Maurelli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopson was well out of range. Poor timing from Maurelli.
Maurelli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maurelli gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hopson lands a jab-cross combination.
Hopson misses with a body kick.
Nice body kick from Hopson.
Hopson scores with a jab.
Hopson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maurelli moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Hopson misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Maurelli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maurelli looks to land a left hand but Hopson moved out of range nicely.
Maurelli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson looks to score with a jab to the body but Maurelli is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Maurelli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maurelli moves out of range of the body kick.
Hopson tries to land a front kick but Maurelli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hopson misses with the combination.
Hopson misses with a hook. Maurelli ducked under it nicely.
Hopson misses with a body kick.
Maurelli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hopson looks to land a left hand but Maurelli moved out of range nicely.
Hopson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hopson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maurelli connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hopson scrambles back to his feet.
Maurelli moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Hopson throws a looping overhand right but Maurelli ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Maurelli was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopson.
Maurelli misses the jab.
A little jabbing left from Hopson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hopson tries to work over Maurelli's front leg with a kick but Maurelli checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hopson.
A slow jab from Hopson misses its intended target.
It looked like Maurelli wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A slow jab from Maurelli misses its intended target.
Hopson throws a leg kick
enabling Maurelli to counter with a crisp jab.
Maurelli comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hopson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Maurelli had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopson connects with a right hand. Maurelli shakes it off.
Maurelli misses with a straight right.
Hopson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maurelli. Maurelli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Maurelli needs to keep his hands up - Hopson had a free shot at his head there.
Maurelli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maurelli with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
That kick from Hopson tenderised Maurelli's leg. Maurelli is trying to keep his angry face on.
Maurelli misses with a straight right.
Hopson throws a right hand that Maurelli ducks under and follows up with a left that Maurelli also avoids with ease.
Hopson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Hopson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jacob Hopson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Maurelli connects with a crisp jab.
Maurelli on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hopson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maurelli's head.
Hopson lands with an uppercut that bounces Maurelli off the cage and back into range.
Hopson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maurelli walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hopson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hopson pushes Maurelli away with a front kick.
A punch combination from Hopson misses.
Hopson looks for the body kick but Maurelli saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Maurelli.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopson lands with an uppercut that bounces Maurelli off the cage and back into range.
Hopson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hopson cracks Maurelli with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hopson staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurelli slips a jab from Hopson.
Hopson throws a poor cross that misses
and Maurelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Maurelli on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hopson ducks under a wild hook from Maurelli.
A lazy body kick from Hopson
and Maurelli counters with a head kick. That will keep Hopson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hopson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maurelli scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hopson doesn't seem bothered though.
Hopson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hopson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maurelli thumps Hopson with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maurelli. Hopson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maurelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maurelli tries a head kick but it misses.
A low kick from Hopson misses
and Maurelli cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hopson slips a jab from Maurelli.
Maurelli looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hopson thuds his right hand into Maurelli's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hopson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maurelli.
Maurelli looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A head kick by Hopson misses
and Hopson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopson catches Maurelli with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maurelli misses the shot to the body.
Maurelli throws an overhand right that lands on Hopson's shoulder, as Hopson tries to avoid the shot.
Maurelli moves out of range as Hopson strikes.
Hopson slips a jab from Maurelli.
Maurelli throws a sloppy head kick and Hopson moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Maurelli might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Nice jab there from Hopson.
Maurelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maurelli manages to avoid it.
Hopson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Maurelli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jacob Hopson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopson throws the kick towards the body but Maurelli avoids it.
Hopson is looking to land body kicks.
An attempted straight right counter from Maurelli misses the target.
Hopson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopson throws a lazy head kick
and Maurelli counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hopson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maurelli moves away.
Hopson throws a hook to the side of Maurelli's head but Maurelli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maurelli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hopson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hopson throws a series of punches but Maurelli moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maurelli takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hopson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopson throws a sloppy body shot
and Maurelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hopson missing with a left hand there. Maurelli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maurelli swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hopson. That's going to slow Maurelli down.
Maurelli misses with a straight left.
Maurelli drops his hands momentarily and Hopson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Maurelli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maurelli takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Maurelli takes a step back to recover.
Hopson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hopson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Maurelli checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Hopson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jacob Hopson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hopson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Maurelli counters with a stiff right hand.
Maurelli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopson was well out of range. Poor timing from Maurelli.
Maurelli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopson swinging wildly here.
Good work by Maurelli as he checks the leg kick.
Hopson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hopson clobbers Maurelli with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hopson throws a right and a left that Maurelli avoids nicely.
Maurelli takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maurelli throws a looping overhand right but Hopson ducks down to avoid it.
Hopson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maurelli misses with a looping right.
Maurelli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurelli moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Hopson throws a head kick that misses.
Maurelli misses with an uppercut.
Maurelli throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopson throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopson slips a straight right by Maurelli.
Hopson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Maurelli is looking to counter punch.
Hopson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maurelli. Maurelli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big right from Maurelli misses.
Hopson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Maurelli takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hopson scores with a one two! Maurelli had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Maurelli misses with a hook. Hopson ducked under it nicely.
Maurelli misses with a looping left.
Chris Maurelli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jacob Hopson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maurelli appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hopson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hopson blocks a head kick by Maurelli.
Hopson throws the kick towards the body but Maurelli avoids it.
Hopson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Maurelli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hopson throws a leg kick which misses Maurelli's front leg but catches the back leg as Maurelli tries to avoid it.
Hopson connects with a right hand. Maurelli shakes it off.
Maurelli avoids the head kick by Hopson.
Maurelli misses the jab.
Hopson lands with a straight right. Maurelli didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson throws a right hand that misses
letting Maurelli counter with a right hand.
Maurelli takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Maurelli throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maurelli throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maurelli misses with a hook to the body
and Hopson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Maurelli's knee momentarily.
Maurelli slips a straight right by Hopson.
Maurelli stuns Hopson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hopson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maurelli if he has to take too many more of those.
Hopson missing with a left hand there. Maurelli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maurelli will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hopson - that will leave a mark!
Maurelli throws a shot from downtown. Hopson moves away and avoids it.
Hopson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hopson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maurelli manages to avoid it.
Maurelli takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopson misses the jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maurelli.
Hopson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hopson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maurelli backs up against the cage.
Maurelli staying out of range there.
Hopson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A lazy left from Hopson finds it's target.
Hopson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hopson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hopson moves away from the strike by Maurelli.
Maurelli darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Hopson is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Hopson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hopson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Hopson!
A very excited looking Jacob Hopson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.