PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hessu Hopo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Vetchnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bodies. This should be a great matchup!

Hopo
vs
Vetchnikov

200 cm
27
275 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

219 cm
27
300 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hessu Hopo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Vetchnikov!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Vetchnikov.
Alex Vetchnikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopo is defended easily by Vetchnikov.
Vetchnikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopo.
Hopo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vetchnikov tries to clinch but Hopo is having none of it.
A big left from Vetchnikov misses.
Vetchnikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Hopo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vetchnikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vetchnikov missing with a left hand there. Hopo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hopo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vetchnikov misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Vetchnikov misses.
Hopo scores with a hook to the body. Vetchnikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hopo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vetchnikov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hessu Hopo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vetchnikov misses with an uppercut. Hopo saw that one coming.
Vetchnikov throws a hook but Hopo blocks it.
Vetchnikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vetchnikov leaves Hopo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vetchnikov misses with a body punch

so Hopo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hopo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopo tries to free his leg and advance position but Vetchnikov is retaining full guard.
Vetchnikov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Vetchnikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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 is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vetchnikov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vetchnikov has escaped and now he's on top!
Hopo 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.

Hopo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vetchnikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vetchnikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hopo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vetchnikov defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopo working a defensive guard but Vetchnikov passes into half guard.
Vetchnikov prevents Hopo from improving his position.
Vetchnikov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hopo gets full guard.
Vetchnikov stopping the sweep attempt from Hopo.

Hopo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vetchnikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Vetchnikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Hopo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hessu Hopo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hopo swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Vetchnikov counters with a straight right hand.
Vetchnikov misses with a straight right.
Vetchnikov misses with a looping left.
Hopo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vetchnikov defends it nicely.
Vetchnikov scores with a jab to the body.
Vetchnikov scores with a hook to the body. Hopo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hopo moves away from the strike by Vetchnikov.
Hopo misses with a jab to the body
letting Vetchnikov counter with a right hand.
Hopo ducks under a wild hook from Vetchnikov.
Hopo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vetchnikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vetchnikov throws a lazy right hand but Hopo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vetchnikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopo.
Vetchnikov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Vetchnikov misses with an uppercut. Hopo saw that one coming.
Vetchnikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopo moves away.
Hessu Hopo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vetchnikov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hopo.
Hopo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Vetchnikov looks to throw the jab but Hopo is out of range.
Nice shot by Vetchnikov.

Vetchnikov clinches with his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vetchnikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Hopo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopo lands a nice hook to Vetchnikov's body. Vetchnikov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hopo tries for a takedown but Vetchnikov circles away easily
enabling Vetchnikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Alex Vetchnikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vetchnikov cracks Hopo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hopo misses with a series of wild punches.
Vetchnikov looks to land a left hand but Hopo moved out of range nicely.
Hopo misses with a double jab.
Hopo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vetchnikov.
The crowd cheers as Vetchnikov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hopo doesn't seem phased though.
Vetchnikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hopo staying out of range there.

Vetchnikov sends Hopo crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Vetchnikov is motioning to the referee to let Hopo up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Vetchnikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vetchnikov swings for the body but Hopo moves out of range.

Vetchnikov lands a big right hand that sends Hopo crashing to the mat! Vetchnikov stays standing though and waves Hopo back to his feet!

Hopo is rocked!
A telegraphed right hand from Vetchnikov misses the target.
Vetchnikov throws a hook but Hopo avoids it easily.
Hopo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Oh Hopo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vetchnikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopo.
Hopo seems to have got his legs back now.
Vetchnikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hopo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vetchnikov fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Hopo to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Hopo looks to clinch but Vetchnikov throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Hopo taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Alex Vetchnikov!