PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ita Ipava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Hupka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hupka has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Damien Hupka will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ipava
vs
Hupka

184 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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Machina Clothing and Apparel - Basics $15 a piece

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ita Ipava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Damien Hupka!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hupka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ipava.
Hupka looks gassed!
Ipava takes one to the chin there.
Hupka leaves Ipava with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Damien Hupka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ipava shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ipava has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hupka's face.
Ipava dominating with strikes here.
Ipava unloading with bombs!
Ipava in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hupka is in a horrible position here. Ipava smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ipava lands a big elbow.

Hupka is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ipava cracks Hupka with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Ipava.
Ipava has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hupka's face.
Ipava lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
A nice elbow there by Ipava.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ipava scoring with strikes but Hupka is staying in there.
Ipava with the ground and pound from mount.
Ipava postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hupka looks a forlorn figure.
Hupka is still in real trouble! Can Ipava finish him?
Hupka is in a horrible position here. Ipava smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ipava breaks from Hupka's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hupka seems to have recovered his senses.
BOOM! Ipava connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ipava cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ipava punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ipava is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Hupka tries to hold on but Ipava pushes him away.
Ipava lands a nice shot to the head.
A nice elbow there by Ipava.
Ipava working the ground and pound effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ipava lands a nice shot to the head.
Ipava lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ipava landing strikes from the mount.
Ipava working the ground and pound effectively.
Ipava with good strikes from the mount here!
Ipava fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hupka is bucking up trying to escape but Ipava cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hupka is bucking up trying to escape but Ipava cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hupka taking shots to the head.
Ipava raining down shots from the mount!
Ipava lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ipava cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Ipava.
Hupka tries to hold on but Ipava pushes him away.
Ipava is landing with some decent strikes but Hupka is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ipava with shots to the head and body - Hupka looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ipava lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ipava landing strikes from the mount and Hupka is in trouble!
Ipava lands a big shot there that rocks Hupka but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ipava in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ipava breaks from Hupka's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hupka keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hupka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ipava scoring with strikes but Hupka is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ipava in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ipava postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hupka looks a forlorn figure.
Ipava lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ipava with a couple of short strikes.
Hupka is bucking up trying to escape but Ipava cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ipava pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ipava dominating with strikes here.
Ipava postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hupka looks a forlorn figure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hupka is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ipava is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hupka can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ipava has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hupka's face.
Ipava in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ita Ipava dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ipava shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hupka defends it nicely.
Ipava fails with a takedown attempt.
Hupka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ita Ipava. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hupka cracks Ipava with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hupka misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hupka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hupka is breathing heavily.

Ipava shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ipava not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Ipava.
Ipava throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ipava missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ipava not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ipava thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hupka's head.
Ipava landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ipava is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ipava connects with a nice short shot to Hupka's temple.
Ipava winds up and cracks Hupka with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ipava looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ipava lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ipava is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ipava throws a strike but Hupka avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ipava working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ipava throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hupka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hupka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ipava is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ipava with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ipava stands up over Hupka, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ipava working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ipava trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hupka gets caught flat footed, as Ipava shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ipava lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ipava throws a strike but Hupka rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ipava scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Hupka wants to control from the top but Ipava keeps moving.
Ipava trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ipava striking from his own guard.
Ipava throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ipava is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hupka can do to turn this around?
Ipava throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ipava throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hupka was covering up waiting for the punch and Ipava finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ipava postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ipava 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.
Ipava throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ipava working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hupka wants to sweep here but Ipava controlling him for the moment.
Ipava working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hupka's head.
Ipava postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ipava connects with a couple of short punches.
Hupka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ipava.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hupka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ipava shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hupka tests Ipava's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hupka looks to score with a jab to the body but Ipava is just out of range.

Ipava closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ipava lands in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ita Ipava dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ipava.
Ipava shoots in for a double leg but Hupka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ipava shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hupka as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ita Ipava. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ipava moves out of range as Hupka strikes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ipava.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hupka connects with a right hand. Ipava shakes it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ipava needs to keep his hands up - Hupka had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ipava ducks under a wild hook from Hupka.
Damien Hupka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hupka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ipava sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Hupka gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ipava to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hupka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hupka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ipava postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hupka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ipava won't allow Hupka to get back to his feet.
Ipava postures up and lands a big shot to Hupka's brow.
Ipava landing some decent shots from guard.
Hupka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ipava.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ipava shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ita Ipava overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ipava postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ipava loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ipava postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ipava is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hupka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ipava throws a big right hand that misses.
Ipava chips away with some ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hupka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ipava.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hupka digs a good body shot into Ipava's ribs.

Ipava feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hupka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ipava.
Ipava throws a big right hand that misses.
Hupka is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ipava keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hupka's head.
Damien Hupka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ipava postures up in Hupka's guard and throws a big left but Hupka blocks it.
Hupka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ipava is one step ahead there.
Ipava postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ipava connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hupka leaves Ipava with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A left lands for Hupka.

Ipava drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ipava in side control, throwing shots but Hupka defends.
Ipava throwing strikes but Hupka manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Ipava wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Ipava throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Ipava tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Ipava throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Ipava throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Ita Ipava is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ipava controls the position for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ita Ipava showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ipava, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:26
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ita Ipava!