PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Pistone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako . Pistone has chosen Bonobo - The Sicilians as his entrance music. Joe Pistone has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Vinny Hopkins's chin.

Hopkins
vs
Pistone

180 cm
28
167 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

183 cm
31
180 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Instinct
Bullet Proof System

Milwaukee's Best 160 (80% laundry)
Zenith Nutrition (160q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vinny Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Pistone!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins moves in looking to clinch but Pistone pushes him off.
Pistone takes one to the chin there.
Hopkins bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pistone's head backwards.
Pistone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hopkins throws out the jab.
A shot to the body from Hopkins misses
and Pistone counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hopkins thinking.
Pistone lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hopkins checks a leg kick.
Pistone pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pistone lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hopkins at a distance.
Pistone scores with a decent looking hook.

Pistone gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Pistone wants to take a breather but Hopkins is having none of it.
Hopkins wants to improve his position but Pistone is controlling well.
Hopkins is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control but Pistone postures up.
Pistone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hopkins keeps working.
Pistone prevents Hopkins from improving his position.
Pistone is controlling the pace.
Pistone is trying to control the action in half guard but Hopkins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Pistone is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two 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.
Pistone trying to pass the guard but Hopkins defending well.
Hopkins tries to roll over but Pistone keeps him under control.
Hopkins keeping hold of Pistone's head, controlling as best he can.
Pistone trying to pass the guard but Hopkins defending well.

Pistone is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistone content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hopkins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pistone cracks Hopkins with a good jab.
Hopkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pistone.
Pistone just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins staying out of range there.
Hopkins scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins clobbers Pistone with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Pistone throws a leg kick but Hopkins sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hopkins misses with a hook
and Pistone counters with a leg kick.
Hopkins scores with a jab.
Pistone tries to score with a low kick but Hopkins moves his leg out of the way.
Hopkins misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hopkins wants to land a leg kick but Pistone is out of range.

Hopkins fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pistone to the ground. Hopkins is now in Pistone's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopkins seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pistone has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hopkins has managed to get both his arms back between Pistone's legs - danger averted.
Hopkins content to stall in guard here.

Pistone isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hopkins stacks Pistone on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hopkins!
You can see the frustration on Pistone's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vinny Hopkins will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Pistone swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Pistone throws out a loose jab but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pistone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Hopkins feinted with a counter takedown.
Hopkins has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Pistone.
Hopkins throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Pistone makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Pistone misses with a wild body shot.
Pistone is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hopkins rather than just go for the knockout.
Pistone fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hopkins.
Hopkins is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Pistone moves out of range.
Hopkins connects with a single shot there.
Pistone misses with an uppercut
and Hopkins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins throws a lazy right hand but Pistone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pistone lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Hopkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pistone misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Pistone blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pistone taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pistone.
Pistone prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Pistone lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hopkins.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pistone.
Hopkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pistone throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Pistone on the inside.
Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hopkins.
Pistone has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hopkins seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Pistone can turn it around.
Pistone misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pistone backwards.
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!
Pistone scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pistone's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Pistone has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hopkins after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pistone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hopkins blocks it with crossed arms.
Pistone drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hopkins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hopkins lands an uppercut.
Pistone stalling in the clinch but Hopkins improves position.
Pistone misses with a punch on the inside.
Hopkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hopkins lands a left hand.
Pistone blocking some punches.
Vinny Hopkins has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hopkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Pistone controls his hands.
Hopkins lands a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Hopkins cracks Pistone with a nice body shot.
Hopkins blocks a body shot from Pistone.
Hopkins makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Pistone backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pistone.
Hopkins misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short body shot lands from Hopkins as the two fighters clinch.
Hopkins managing to block the knees to the body from Pistone.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pistone's elbow.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Pistone uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Pistone blocks an uppercut.
Pistone tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Pistone back against the cage.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Pistone misses with the head strike.
Hopkins lands a left hand.
A body shot lands from Hopkins.
Pistone wants a takedown.
Vinny Hopkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Pistone.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins scores with a shoulder strike.
Hopkins lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hopkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pistone throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopkins.
Hopkins is working Pistone over against the cage.
Pistone is breathing heavily.
Hopkins gets through Pistone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Hopkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hopkins throws a series of punches but Pistone avoids them all with ease.
Hopkins lands a head shot.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Pistone sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Joe Pistone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopkins scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
An inside leg kick from Pistone misses.
Pistone takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pistone fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hopkins.
A low kick from Pistone misses
and Hopkins counters with a thumping low kick.
Hopkins throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pistone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pistone connects with a solid leg kick.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Pistone moves out of range.
Hopkins shoots in for a double leg but Pistone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pistone manages to avoid it.
Pistone is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Hopkins dominated that second round.
That's time! Hopkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hopkins clinches up with Pistone and pushes him back against the cage.
Pistone has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hopkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hopkins digs a right hand underneath Pistone's ribcage. Pistone let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hopkins lands a shot to the body.
Pistone prevents a body shot from Hopkins.

Pistone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pistone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Hopkins clinches with his opponent.
Pistone trying to control the position but instead, Hopkins has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pistone into the cage.
Hopkins being controlled against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pistone.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Pistone blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Pistone changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pistone misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins shoots for a double leg takedown but Pistone sprawls well. He's pushed Hopkins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A right-left combo lands from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a few strikes there.
Pistone lands a body shot.
Hopkins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Pistone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And Pistone responds with a good body kick, but Hopkins manages to step out the way in time.
Hopkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pistone.
Pistone throws a leg kick
and Hopkins counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pistone is looking to score with low kicks.
Pistone thows a body kick. Hopkins tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Hopkins checks a leg kick nicely.

Hopkins has Pistone up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A hook to the body from Pistone.
Hopkins lands with a light punch inside.
Pistone blocks a body shot from Hopkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.

Pistone wants the takedown. Hopkins is fighting it off but Pistone persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hopkins's guard against the cage.

Hopkins kicks Pistone off and gets to his feet.
Pistone scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pistone can do to turn this around?
Hopkins swinging wildly here.
Pistone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins lands with a cross.
Pistone throws a lazy right hand but Hopkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Pistone.
Pistone with the counter takedown but Hopkins avoids it easily.
Hopkins is looking to clinch.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Joe Pistone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pistone looks to land a combination but Hopkins avoids it well.
Vinny Hopkins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistone leaves Hopkins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinny Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pistone lands a nice shot that snaps Hopkins's head back.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Pistone is avoiding it.
Pistone throws the kick towards the body but Hopkins avoids it.
Pistone loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch.
Pistone takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Pistone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hopkins is looking to slow Pistone down with leg kicks.
Hopkins throws a right and a left that Pistone avoids nicely.
Hopkins misses with a looping left.
Pistone connects with a body shot.
Hopkins fails to land with a series of punches.
Hopkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Pistone.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pistone feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hopkins's calf.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Pistone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pistone just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins scores with a hook.
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!
Pistone bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hopkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nice straight punches there by Hopkins. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hopkins.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Pistone.
Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pistone takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hopkins avoids the head kick by Pistone.
Pistone misses with a leg kick.
Hopkins fails to land with a series of punches.
Hopkins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A jab lands there for Hopkins.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinny Hopkins showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hopkins has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Hopkins!
Vinny Hopkins made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I never got to show my full potential before. Welcome to my show..'.