PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Klem Hopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Ruska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hopper
vs
Ruska

180 cm
21
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
164 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Top MMA Nutrition
Team S.W.A.T.

Fighters Formula (New Ownership!)
Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Klem Hopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dan Ruska!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopper misses with a few strikes there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ruska.
Ruska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hopper misses with an uppercut.
Klem Hopper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruska's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Ruska duly obliges.

It looks like Klem Hopper has been cut.
Ruska bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ruska.
Ruska uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopper.
Hopper falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ruska counters with a good, hard body kick but Hopper shrugs it off.
Ruska bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ruska tries to clinch up but Hopper circles away and keeps his distance.
Ruska thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hopper if he has to take too many more of those.

Ruska moves into the clinch successfully.
Ruska doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ruska misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ruska gets underhooks to prevent Hopper's takedown attempt.
Ruska looking to throw knees to the head but Hopper is blocking nicely.
Hopper fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ruska using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hopper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ruska tries to work over Hopper's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Ruska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Hopper throws an overhand right that lands on Ruska's shoulder, as Ruska tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper lands a body shot.

Ruska moves into the clinch successfully.
Ruska misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hopper.
Ruska unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hopper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hopper is breathing heavily.
Ruska scores with a knee to the head.
Hopper tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Klem Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruska lands a shoulder strike.
Ruska tries to land knees in the clinch but Hopper avoids the damage to the body.
Ruska works on Hopper's body with a couple of short punches.
Ruska works on Hopper's body with a couple of short punches.
Ruska tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Ruska breaks from the clinch.
Hopper just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruska lands with a straight right. Hopper didn't see that one coming.
A solid body kick from Ruska.
Nice uppercut lands for Ruska. That snapped Hopper's head back.
Ruska moves out of range of the strikes.

Ruska has Hopper up against the cage in a clinch.
Ruska lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Ruska.
Hopper wants to break free but Ruska has control.
Ruska gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hopper.
Hopper wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hopper has Ruska pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruska manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ruska tries to land a knee to the head but Hopper blocks with his arms.
Hopper tries to pull guard but Ruska holds him up against the cage and eventually Hopper drops back down to his feet.
Ruska fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ruska throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopper.
Ruska pushes Hopper back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Hopper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hopper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hopper swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ruska.

It looks like Dan Ruska has been cut.
Hopper throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hopper swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruska.
Nice defenses there by Ruska.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruska has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hopper finds it's way round the side to connect with Ruska's head.
Ruska chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hopper throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruska.

Ruska has closed the distance and engaged Hopper in a clinch.
Ruska misses with a knee strike.
Hopper prevents a body shot from Ruska.
Ruska misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hopper blocks a body shot from Ruska.
Ruska lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ruska scores a nice knee to the body.
Hopper lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ruska pushes Hopper back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Ruska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hopper throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopper jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hopper misses with a combination

and Ruska counters by clinching up.
Hopper blocking some punches.
Ruska doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopper has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruska avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ruska missing with knees to the body.
Ruska is pressed up against the cage. Hopper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ruska down to the mat. Ruska avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ruska uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopper.
Hopper looks for the body kick but Ruska saw that one coming.
Hopper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopper looks to land a combination but Ruska avoids it well.
Hopper keeps the fight on the outside.
Ruska is looking to clinch.
Hopper misses with a looping left.
Hopper misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ruska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hopper swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hopper throws a predictable looking body shot

and Ruska counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ruska.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruska throws a head punch that misses.

Ruska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruska looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruska looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Ruska dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ruska steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopper.
Hopper misses with a jab to the body

and Ruska moves into the clinch.
Ruska landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ruska tries a body shot but Hopper blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Hopper.
Ruska misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ruska's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ruska digs a right hand underneath Hopper's ribcage. Hopper let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ruska scores with a knee to the head.
Ruska throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopper.
Ruska has had enough of the clinch but Hopper keeps him there for the moment.
Ruska prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ruska with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ruska prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruska lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopper or not.
Ruska struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopper controls his hands.
A short right from Ruska.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruska keeps control of Hopper as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hopper is working for takedown but Ruska is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Klem Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ruska thows a body kick. Hopper tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Ruska has Hopper up against the cage in a clinch.
A hook to the body from Ruska.

Ruska breaks from the clinch.
Hopper keeps the fight on the outside.
Ruska throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A punch lands to the side of Hopper 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hopper keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopper throws a lazy right hand but Ruska sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruska doesn't manage to clinch there - Hopper circles away.
Ruska is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ruska tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hopper paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopper throws a right and a left that Ruska avoids nicely.
Ruska bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hopper slow jab from Ruska misses its intended target.
Hopper throws a hook but Ruska blocks it.
Hopper throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ruska counters by moving into the clinch.
Hopper takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ruska gets underhooks to prevent Hopper's takedown attempt.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Ruska creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ruska wants to clinch up but Hopper keeps it at a distance.
Hopper circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruska misses with the combination.
Klem Hopper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopper swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruska.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruska looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ruska is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruska manages to avoid it.
Ruska slips under a jab from Hopper.
Ruska is looking to clinch.
Ruska throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hopper pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hopper throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ruska counters with a body kick that stops Hopper in his tracks momentarily.
Hopper throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ruska counters with an inside leg kick.
Ruska tries to clinch there but Hopper circles away.
Ruska tries to clinch up.
Hopper falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ruska counters with a series of strikes. Hopper will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hopper will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hopper waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Ruska.
Hopper swings for the body but Ruska moves out of range.
Ruska slips a jab and a cross from Hopper.
Hopper with a hook.
Ruska avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hopper swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ruska counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruska throws a nice looking combination but Hopper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopper misses with a series of wild punches.
Hopper just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopper misses with a series of wild punches.
Hopper throws a big shot that misses.
Hopper throws out a loose jab but Ruska uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hopper getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hopper keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopper takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hopper misses with a combination
and Ruska counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Ruska has closed the distance and engaged Hopper in a clinch.
Ruska scores a nice knee to the body.

Ruska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Ruska showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hopper's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

A right-left combo lands from Ruska.
Hopper stalks Ruska and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ruska's face. Ruska staggers backwards, shaken.
Hopper sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ruska tries to clinch there but Hopper circles away.
A shot to de liver by Hopper. Beautiful body shot.
Hopper is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ruska.
Hopper misses with a combination

and Ruska counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ruska.

Ruska manages to break the clinch.
Ruska bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hopper misses with a looping left.

Ruska fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hopper, pushing him back against the cage.
Ruska swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruska works on Hopper's body with a couple of short punches.
Ruska connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hopper's face.
Ruska tries a body shot but Hopper blocks it.
Ruska digs a right hand underneath Hopper's ribcage. Hopper let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopper.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruska misses with a knee to the head.

Ruska manages to break the clinch.
Ruska showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hopper.
Hopper throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ruska counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ruska avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hopper throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruska.

Ruska moves into the clinch successfully.
Ruska content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hopper is trying to break free.
Ruska makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopper fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ruska works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ruska has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ruska scores with a knee to the head.
Hopper tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruska shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ruska.
Hopper prevents a body shot from Ruska.
Hopper has Ruska pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruska manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Klem Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopper tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ruska smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopper lands a lovely overhand right.
Ruska slips a straight right by Hopper.
Ruska steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopper.
Ruska tries to clinch but Hopper moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruska looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A left and a right from Hopper both land. Nice combination.

Ruska is rocked!
Hopper lands with a precision combination! Left, right, uppercut and Ruska falls flat on his face, eyes wide open but he's out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Klem Hopper!