PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Hopp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Hopp could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ivan Emelianenko's chin.

Hopp
vs
Emelianenko

173 cm
19
178 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
171 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Hopp!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Hopp sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Hopp shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hopp showed some decent athleticism there.
Hopp thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Emelianenko's head.
Hopp wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is defending well.
Hopp prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Hopp trying to control the action but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Hopp scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hopp frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Hopp wants to finish this one by submission but Emelianenko is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hopp.

Hopp is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Emelianenko can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Emelianenko is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hopp working the ground and pound effectively.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hopp wants to control but instead Emelianenko manages to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopp tries to pass the half guard into mount. Emelianenko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Emelianenko is looking to control Hopp's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelianenko avoid being mounted?

Hopp is working for a kimura but Emelianenko is defending it quite comfortably.
Emelianenko tries to get to full guard but Hopp has control of the leg.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hopp shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Emelianenko counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hopp wants to improve his position but Emelianenko is controlling well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopp manages to get to full guard.
Hopp lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Emelianenko!
Emelianenko is working to get back to half guard.
Hopp is trying to take his opponent's back.
Hopp with shots to the head and body - Emelianenko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Emelianenko is trying to reverse the position but instead Hopp has taken his back - oops!

Hopp patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopp connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Emelianenko to escape the position.
Emelianenko is in bad spot here.
Hopp is looking to control Emelianenko but Emelianenko is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Emelianenko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hopp's guard. Nice work there by Emelianenko.
Hopp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Hopp has his foot on Emelianenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Emelianenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Hopp wants to hit a switch here but Emelianenko passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hopp there!
Emelianenko prevents Hopp from getting the reversal.
Emelianenko avoids the attempt from Hopp to control.

Emelianenko is working for a guillotine from mount but Hopp frees his head quite easily.
Emelianenko looks gassed!
Hopp stops Emelianenko from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Hopp dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hopp shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Hopp trying to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.

Hopp has hold of Emelianenko's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Emelianenko manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hopp lands a big shot there that rocks Emelianenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Emelianenko sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Emelianenko trying to control from the bottom.
Emelianenko manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopp stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopp is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Emelianenko has his foot on Hopp's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hopp works his way back into a safe position though.
Hopp postures up.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Hopp wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Hopp content to stall in guard here.
Hopp is pushing down on Emelianenko's leg trying to pass to half guard. Emelianenko is fighting to maintain full guard but Hopp has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hopp is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Emelianenko is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hopp slips a nice elbow through Emelianenko's hands, connecting with Emelianenko's forehead.

Hopp is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Emelianenko has managed to free his arm - good work.
Emelianenko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Emelianenko working for a triangle but Hopp defends it easily.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Hopp from controlling successfully.
Hopp postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Emelianenko looking to control.
Hopp trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopp stays in close to Emelianenko's body and controls the position.
Hopp has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hopp working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Emelianenko's head.

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

Hopp 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.
Michael Hopp overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Hopp controlling him for the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopp looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Emelianenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hopp gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hopp trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Hopp wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.
Hopp won't allow Emelianenko to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Hopp dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Hopp circles away easily

and Hopp counters with a shoot takedown. Emelianenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Hopp from controlling successfully.
Hopp looking to pass the guard.
Hopp chips away with some ground and pound.

Hopp 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.
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Hopp controlling him for the moment.
Hopp is looking to advance position but Emelianenko has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Emelianenko trying to control but Hopp is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopp is trying to escape the mount but Emelianenko keeps good control and instead manages to take Hopp's back.
Hopp tries to escape but Emelianenko has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Hopp breaks Emelianenko's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Hopp from controlling successfully.
Hopp thows a big elbow that misses.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko has momentary wrist control but Hopp slips an elbow through the middle.
Hopp stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopp landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopp advances position into side control!
Emelianenko is trying to get back to half guard.

Hopp working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hopp scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Emelianenko to see if he's OK.
Hopp cracks Emelianenko with a big elbow.
Hopp advances nicely into full mount.
Emelianenko is bucking up trying to escape but Hopp cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hopp scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Emelianenko?
Hopp working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying desperately to improve position.
Hopp landing strikes, looking to finish!
Emelianenko working to try and regain half guard.
Hopp raining down shots from the mount!

Hopp working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Hopp trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hopp prevents Emelianenko from getting the reversal.
Hopp unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hopp is working for a guillotine from mount but Emelianenko frees his head quite easily.
Hopp lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Emelianenko is trying desperately to improve position.
Hopp is trying to take his opponent's back.
Hopp looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Emelianenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hopp tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Emelianenko is squirming around, avoiding Hopp's attempts to control the action.
Hopp tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Hopp clearly takes that 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.

Emelianenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hopp counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Emelianenko's guard now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Emelianenko is on top in guard.
Hopp 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.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hopp working for a triangle but Emelianenko defends it easily.
Emelianenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Emelianenko drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hopp looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hopp looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hopp!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopp tries to advance to mount but Emelianenko denies him.

Hopp working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopp's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hopp works his way into full mount!
Emelianenko is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hopp trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hopp content just to control the position here.

Hopp swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Emelianenko is now in Hopp's guard. A big mistake from Hopp there, giving up the dominant position!
Hopp is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Hopp keeps moving.
Hopp looking to hit a scissor sweep but Emelianenko is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hopp shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Emelianenko counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Emelianenko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hopp gets back to half guard.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura here.
Hopp slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Emelianenko looking to pass the guard.
Hopp is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Michael Hopp will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hopp bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Hopp is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Emelianenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Hopp is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Emelianenko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.
Emelianenko is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Emelianenko trying to control from the bottom.
Emelianenko works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopp scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hopp preventing the sweep.
Emelianenko is looking to sweep but instead, Hopp has passed into half guard.
Hopp looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hopp trying to mount his opponent but Emelianenko defends it.
Hopp working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hopp is nestled in close to Emelianenko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hopp controlling the pace.
Emelianenko is looking to improve his position.
Hopp lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to get to full guard but Hopp has control of the leg.

Hopp is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Emelianenko is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Hopp!
Michael Hopp retains his welterweight title!