PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Washington Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Hopler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopler has chosen Bodies (Let the Bodies Hit the Floor) as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Washington Iii
vs
Hopler

182 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
201 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bobby Washington Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sammy Hopler!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hopler shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hopler was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hopler looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Washington Iii is trying to escape the mount.
Washington Iii is working hard here to advance position.
Washington Iii wants to control but Hopler is having none of it.
Hopler controlling the position easily from mount.
Washington Iii wants to control but Hopler is having none of it.
Washington Iii manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington Iii is trying to control but can't.

Hopler stands up out of the half guard.

Washington Iii gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Washington Iii jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hopler walks away with a smile on his face. Washington Iii gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Washington Iii throws a half hearted mid kick.
Washington Iii lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hopler backs up against the cage.
Washington Iii throws a right hand that Hopler ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopler also avoids with ease.
Washington Iii fails with an attempt to clinch.
Washington Iii doesn't manage to clinch there - Hopler circles away.
Washington Iii misses with a wild combination.
Washington Iii throws a head kick that misses.
Washington Iii connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington Iii misses with a jab, cross combination.
Washington Iii tries for a takedown but Hopler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Washington Iii closes the distance but Hopler moves to the side

and Hopler counters by clinching up.

Hopler lands a takedown into guard.

Hopler stands up and waves to Washington Iii to follow him.

Hopler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hopler stops Washington Iii from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hopler postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Washington Iii to stand up.

Hopler gets a clinch.
Hopler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Washington Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Washington Iii shoots in looking for a takedown. Hopler tries to sprawl out of it but Washington Iii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hopler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby Washington Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hopler gets a takedown into half guard.
Hopler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hopler is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Washington Iii!
Washington Iii might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopler working Washington Iii over with strikes here.
Washington Iii takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Washington Iii is looking to improve his position but Hopler isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopler content just to control the position here.
Hopler thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Hopler dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hopler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Washington Iii throws a leg kick but Hopler sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hopler swats away the attempt to clinch by Washington Iii.
Hopler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Washington Iii looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hopler is fending him off so far but Washington Iii persists. Nope, Hopler circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopler chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Washington Iii can pounce on him.
Washington Iii misses with a series of wild punches.
Washington Iii throws an overhand right that lands on Hopler's shoulder, as Hopler tries to avoid the shot.
Washington Iii looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Washington Iii throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hopler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Washington Iii.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopler shoots in for a takedown but Washington Iii shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Washington Iii, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Washington Iii avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Washington Iii scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hopler dodges the punch combination from Washington Iii.
Washington Iii is looking to clinch.
Hopler shoots in for a double leg but Washington Iii sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That kick from Washington Iii tenderised Hopler's leg. Hopler is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hopler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Washington Iii misses with a jab, cross combination.
Washington Iii lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Washington Iii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hopler feints and as Washington Iii raises his hands in defense, Hopler changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopler distracts Washington Iii with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hopler scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Hopler stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bobby Washington Iii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Washington Iii misses with a low kick as Hopler jumps back.
Nice body punch from Washington Iii.
Washington Iii tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Washington Iii.
Washington Iii throws a shot from downtown. Hopler moves away and avoids it.
Hopler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bobby Washington Iii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Hopler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Washington Iii.
Washington Iii shoots in but no luck this time.
A big right from Washington Iii misses.
Washington Iii fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Washington Iii misses with a combination

and Hopler decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Washington Iii's guard.
Hopler not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Hopler stands up and waves to Washington Iii to follow him.
Bobby Washington Iii is winning the standup battle so far.
Washington Iii throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Washington Iii gets caught napping as Hopler dives in and scores a takedown. Washington Iii manages to retain guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Washington Iii wants to stand but Hopler is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hopler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Washington Iii is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopler passes Washington Iii's left leg - he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Washington Iii avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hopler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Hopler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hopler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Washington Iii, pushing him back against the cage.
Washington Iii trying to control the position but instead, Hopler has worked for underhooks and has pushed Washington Iii into the cage.

Washington Iii manages to break the clinch.
Washington Iii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Washington Iii throws a sloppy head kick and Hopler moves out of range easily.
Hopler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Horrible takedown by Washington Iii or perhaps it was just good defense by Hopler which made him look bad.

Hopler takes the fight into the clinch.

Hopler gets control of Washington Iii's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hopler will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hopler is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Washington Iii tries to circle away but Hopler has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington Iii is trying to break the clinch but Hopler is controlling him.
Hopler stalling against the cage.
Washington Iii jumps guard but Hopler stands there with Washington Iii around his waist. Washington Iii gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby Washington Iii. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hopler decides to pull guard.
Hopler controls Washington Iii momentarily but Washington Iii frees himself.
Washington Iii won't allow Hopler to sweep him here.
Washington Iii passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Washington Iii knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hopler on the ground.
Washington Iii tries to stand but Hopler is controlling his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopler is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Hopler is looking to reverse the position.

Hopler throws Washington Iii to one side and escapes!
Hopler blocks the body kick.
Hopler looks for a takedown but Washington Iii sprawls well.

Hopler takes the fight into the clinch.
Hopler has Washington Iii pressed against the cage, preventing Washington Iii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Washington Iii fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hopler breaks from the clinch.
Hopler fails with a takedown attempt.
Washington Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Hopler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Washington Iii to the mat! Washington Iii manages to get full guard.

Hopler drops back looking for a leg! Washington Iii is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Washington Iii manages to kick Hopler off! Hopler jumps back into Washington Iii's guard.
Hopler sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Washington Iii's guard.
Washington Iii is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopler controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Hopler has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Washington Iii wants to control but Hopler is keeping busy.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hopler takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Bobby Washington Iii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sammy Hopler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bobby Washington Iii has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Hopler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hopler lands in his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sammy Hopler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hopler 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sammy Hopler!