PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hessu Hopo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Luis Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopo comes to the cage accompanied by Bodies. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Hopo
vs
Luis Rodriguez

200 cm
27
275 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

191 cm
27
268 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hessu Hopo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jose Luis Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez avoids the body shot from Hopo.
Some wild striking there from Hopo.
A punch combination from Hopo misses.
Hopo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hopo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hopo fails to land with a series of punches.

Hopo closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hopo lands in his opponent's guard.
Hopo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet but Hopo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard here.
Hopo 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.
Hopo won't allow Rodriguez to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez is pulling down on Hopo's head to control his posture.
Rodriguez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodriguez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hopo is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheers as Rodriguez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hopo doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some wild striking there from Hopo.
Crunch! Rodriguez slams his shin into Hopo's torso.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez scores with a jab. Hopo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rodriguez.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rodriguez. Hopo shrugs it off though.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Hopo moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez lands a head kick!

It looks like Hessu Hopo has been cut.
Hessu Hopo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rodriguez clinches up with Hopo and pushes him back against the cage.
Hopo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hopo taking a breather.
Rodriguez landing knees to the body.
Rodriguez lands a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hopo up against the cage.
Rodriguez lands an elbow inside.
Rodriguez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rodriguez connects with a knee to the head.
Rodriguez with a knee to the head.
Hopo has Rodriguez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rodriguez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rodriguez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rodriguez obliges.
Rodriguez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hopo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodriguez lands a knee to the body.
Rodriguez stalling against the cage.
Hopo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rodriguez stalling.
Hopo is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
Rodriguez connects with a knee to the head.
Rodriguez with a knee to the head.
A right hand to the body from Rodriguez.
Hopo jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with Hopo around his waist. Hopo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rodriguez obliges.
Rodriguez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rodriguez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rodriguez scores with a knee to the head.
Rodriguez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hopo jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with Hopo around his waist. Hopo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hessu Hopo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hopo's face.
Hopo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rodriguez looking to throw knees to the head but Hopo is blocking nicely.
Hopo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hopo throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hopo.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hopo.
Hopo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rodriguez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hopo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hopo tries to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling the position.
Rodriguez landing knees to the head.
Rodriguez avoiding damage.
A frustrated look appears on Hopo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hopo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hopo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A knee to the head by Rodriguez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Luis Rodriguez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hessu Hopo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hopo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodriguez.
Jose Luis Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopo throws a nice looking combination but Rodriguez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rodriguez cracks Hopo with a good jab.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodriguez slips under a jab.

Rodriguez clinches.
Rodriguez landing knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Rodriguez.
Jose Luis Rodriguez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rodriguez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rodriguez scores with a knee to the head.
Rodriguez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rodriguez obliges.
Hopo takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Hopo is rocked!
Rodriguez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hopo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez slowing the pace effectively.
Rodriguez continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Rodriguez landing knees to the head.
Rodriguez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hopo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodriguez smiles and moves away.

Hopo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rodriguez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Hopo from controlling successfully.
Hopo looking to pass the guard.

Hopo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hopo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hopo trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hopo drops back looking for a leg! Rodriguez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rodriguez manages to kick Hopo off! Hopo jumps back into Rodriguez's guard.
Rodriguez looking to control.

Hopo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rodriguez dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands a couple of digs.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hopo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopo has a closed guard, preventing Rodriguez from standing up.
Rodriguez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hopo trying to keep a closed guard but Rodriguez is proving a slippery customer.
Hopo looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rodriguez puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

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.
Hopo tries to get to full guard but Rodriguez has control of the leg.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but Hopo defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hopo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodriguez defends it nicely.
Hopo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hopo moves out of range as Rodriguez throws a body kick.
Rodriguez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Hopo misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez tries to bum rush Hopo with a series of wild strikes but Hopo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hopo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rodriguez backs up against the cage.
Hopo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rodriguez counters with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Luis Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hessu Hopo's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hopo misses with a jab to the body
and Rodriguez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hopo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rodriguez counters with a good, hard body kick but Hopo shrugs it off.
Hopo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hopo misses with a body shot.
Hopo throws a body punch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rodriguez - that will leave a mark!
A head kick from Rodriguez lands but Hopo takes it in his stride.
Rodriguez lands with a nice combination. Hopo backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodriguez lands a high kick!

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rodriguez scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rodriguez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hopo lands with a left to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knees to the body from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands a nice knee to the body.
Hopo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rodriguez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hopo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hopo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lands a knee to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with a knee strike.
Hopo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hopo is looking to break free of the clinch but Rodriguez has double underhooks.
Hopo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A knee to the head by Rodriguez.

Hopo drags the fight down to the ground.
Hopo looking to control.
Hopo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rodriguez manages to get himself to full guard.

Hopo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hopo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Hopo is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hopo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hopo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hopo postures up in Rodriguez's guard and throws a big left but Rodriguez blocks it.
Hessu Hopo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hopo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodriguez trying to control the position here.
Rodriguez controls Hopo momentarily but Hopo frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodriguez walks into a stiff left hand from Hopo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez walks into a stiff left hand from Hopo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopo. Rodriguez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hessu Hopo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Hopo moves out of range easily.
Hopo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rodriguez throws a wild body kick that Hopo sees coming a mile off.
Hopo will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hopo looks to land a combination but Rodriguez avoids it well.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Hopo moves out of range easily.
Hopo misses with a combination
and Rodriguez counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hopo misses with a combination
and Rodriguez finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Rodriguez looks to throw the jab but Hopo is out of range.
Rodriguez tries a head kick but it misses.
Hopo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hopo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hopo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Jose Luis Rodriguez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Hopo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopo swinging wildly here.
Hopo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rodriguez counters with a right hand to the body.
Rodriguez throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hopo digs a good body shot into Rodriguez's ribs.
Hopo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hopo crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Rodriguez - the referee stops the clock and Hopo gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Rodriguez. Hopo manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rodriguez scores with a nice body kick.
Hopo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hopo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rodriguez. That one must have hurt.
Hopo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rodriguez scores with a nice body kick.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodriguez instigates a clinch.
Rodriguez has Hopo pressed against the cage, preventing Hopo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hopo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hopo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Hopo takes a knee right on the jaw!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Luis Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rodriguez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Luis Rodriguez!