PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Will Hopper (ranked 1200 p4p, 1315 weight class) and Ralph Cifaretto (ranked 159 p4p, 174 weight class). Will Hopper has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopper
vs
Cifaretto

195 cm
23
205
8 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
211
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Will Hopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ralph Cifaretto!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut lands for Hopper. That snapped Cifaretto's head back.
Ralph Cifaretto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Cifaretto.
Cifaretto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cifaretto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopper misses with a looping right.
Cifaretto moves away from the strike by Hopper.
We've been told by Hopper's head coaches at Outlier Martial Arts NY that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Cifaretto swings widly with a right hand
and Hopper counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hopper throws an overhand right that lands on Cifaretto's shoulder, as Cifaretto tries to avoid the shot.
Cifaretto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hopper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cifaretto misses with a combination
and Hopper connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No joy there for Cifaretto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cifaretto misses with a body shot
and Cifaretto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A shot to the liver by Hopper. Beautiful body shot.
Hopper jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Cifaretto is rocked!
Hopper throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Cifaretto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cifaretto showed some decent athleticism there.
Cifaretto prevents Hopper from improving his position.

Hopper is defending against the submission attempts here by Cifaretto.
Hopper is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cifaretto is keen to just control but Hopper is a slippery customer.
Hopper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cifaretto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cifaretto's back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
You can see the frustration on Cifaretto's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Cifaretto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hopper controlling from the back.
Hopper is hanging on to Cifaretto's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cifaretto prevents Hopper from getting a body triangle.
Cifaretto tries to escape but Hopper has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Cifaretto is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Cifaretto looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hopper.
Hopper is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cifaretto looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hopper.
Cifaretto is in bad spot here.
Hopper is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Cifaretto tries to break free.
Cifaretto is still trying to improve position.
Hopper wants to control but Cifaretto is keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Will Hopper dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cifaretto misses with a looping left.
Sloppy strikes from Hopper. Those never looked like landing.
Cifaretto throws an off balance right hand
letting Hopper counter with a right hand.
Cifaretto misses with a double jab
and Hopper counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cifaretto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hopper counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cifaretto shoots for a takedown but Hopper saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A swing and a miss from Hopper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopper throws a jab but it's blocked by Cifaretto.
Hopper is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Cifaretto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hopper counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Hopper sends Cifaretto crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Hopper is motioning to the referee to let Cifaretto up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Cifaretto is still on wobbly legs! Can Hopper finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cifaretto with a poor takedown

and Hopper counters with a crisp right hand that drops Cifaretto! Hopper lets Cifaretto back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Cifaretto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cifaretto is breathing heavily.
Hopper lands a brutal uppercut that launches Cifaretto off his feet! Cifaretto tumbles to the floor, barely conscious - the referee jumps in to save him from a beating! Wow, what an ending!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Will Hopper!