PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takamura Ippo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ippo has chosen Enforcer - Destroyer as his entrance music. Jimmy Hopkins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopkins
vs
Ippo

177 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

168 cm
21
147 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takamura Ippo!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ippo forces Hopkins back against the ropes and clinches.
Hopkins trying to control the position but instead, Ippo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hopkins into the ropes.
Ippo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Ippo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Ippo backwards.
Hopkins drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ippo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Ippo stalling against the ropes.
Hopkins lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ippo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.

Hopkins wants the takedown. Ippo is fighting it off but Hopkins persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ippo's guard against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins trying to control but Ippo is working from the bottom.
Hopkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ippo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Ippo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ippo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hopkins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ippo's head.
Ippo looking for a sweep. Not yet Ippo, not yet.
Hopkins throwing strikes from guard but Ippo blocks nicely.
Ippo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Still in half guard, Ippo seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ippo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hopkins looks like he's trying to stand up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ippo in particular looking to stall.
Hopkins is not content to let Ippo control the position.
Well, if Ippo is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ippo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ippo stops Hopkins from getting back to his feet.
Ippo is looking to take a break and control but Hopkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ippo controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ippo gets caught napping as Hopkins dives in and scores a takedown. Ippo manages to retain guard.

Ippo scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hopkins looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hopkins moves away from the strike by Ippo.
Jimmy Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ippo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopkins somewhat.
Ippo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hopkins is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Hopkins cracks Ippo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ippo or perhaps it was just good defense by Hopkins, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
Ippo tries to clinch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ippo manages to avoid it.

Ippo darts in and clinches Hopkins up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ippo lands an elbow inside.
Hopkins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ippo after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jimmy Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hopkins as Ippo tries to tie him up.
Ippo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hopkins has a couple of punches blocked by Ippo.
Ippo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ippo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Ippo.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Hopkins blocks an elbow strike.
Ippo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Ippo looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takamura Ippo will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ippo throws an overhand right that lands on Hopkins's shoulder, as Hopkins tries to avoid the shot.
Good work by Hopkins as he checks the leg kick.
Ippo throws a head kick that misses.
Hopkins looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ippo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A head kick misses from Ippo.
Hopkins lands a jab to the head.
Ippo throws a leg kick but Hopkins sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hopkins feinted with a counter takedown.
Ippo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ippo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hopkins trying to control the action but Ippo is working from the bottom.
Ippo is trying to improve his position.
Hopkins trying to control the position but Ippo is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ippo is trying to improve his position.
Hopkins wants to control but Ippo is keeping him busy.
The strikes coming from Hopkins are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hopkins is trying to ground and pound but Ippo uses the momentary lack of control by Hopkins to regain half guard.
Hopkins landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hopkins connects with a nice short shot to Ippo's temple.
Ippo is trying to maintain the position but Hopkins is very close to passing his half guard.
Hopkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ippo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hopkins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ippo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ippo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hopkins.
Jimmy Hopkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ippo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ippo trying to keep a closed guard but Hopkins is proving a slippery customer.
Ippo wants to sweep here but Hopkins controlling him for the moment.
Ippo keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ippo misses with a straight left.
Ippo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hopkins is out of range.
Hopkins throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ippo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hopkins lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Hopkins feints and as Ippo raises his hands in defense, Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ippo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hopkins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a couple of digs.
Hopkins being controlled here momentarily.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Ippo keeps moving.
Ippo seems keen to control Hopkins's posture.
Ippo is trying to control the position but Hopkins postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ippo wants to improve his position but instead Hopkins has moved into half guard.
Ippo is trying to control but Hopkins manages to pass to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy 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!

Ippo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hopkins.
Ippo tries a head kick but it misses.
Ippo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ippo misses with a leg kick

so Hopkins counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ippo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hopkins scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hopkins is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ippo wants to sweep here but Hopkins controlling him for the moment.
Hopkins 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Ippo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins stopping the sweep attempt from Ippo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ippo keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
Hopkins connects with a couple of short punches.
Hopkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ippo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ippo pulls Hopkins in close to his closed guard and prevents Hopkins from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hopkins landing with the ground and pound.
Ippo looking for a sweep. Not yet Ippo, not yet.
Hopkins trying to control but Ippo is working from the bottom.
Takamura Ippo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hopkins avoids the body shot from Ippo.
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
Ippo is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Hopkins has a takedown stuffed.
Hopkins misses with a leg kick.
Ippo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ippo tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Hopkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Ippo misses the target.

Hopkins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Ippo makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hopkins throws a body punch but Ippo moves out of range.
Ippo tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
Ippo throws a sloppy head kick and Hopkins moves out of range easily.
Hopkins throws a combination. Ippo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hopkins scores with a kick to the body.
Hopkins digs a good hook to Ippo's body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hopkins lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ippo tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ippo.
Ippo throws a jab when Hopkins was well out of range.
Hopkins scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ippo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hopkins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hopkins connects with the punch.
Ippo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Hopkins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ippo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ippo misses with a looping right.
Hopkins half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hopkins throws a good cross that connects.
Ippo slips a straight right by Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ippo tries to bum rush Hopkins with a series of wild strikes but Hopkins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ippo throws a head kick but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hopkins dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Ippo.
Nice straight punches there by Hopkins. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hopkins.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown.
Hopkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hopkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hopkins.
Ippo is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ippo misses with a low kick.
Ippo lands with a kick to the temple. Hopkins shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Ippo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ippo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Ippo is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ippo takes one to the chin there.
Ippo wants to slow Hopkins down by chopping away at his legs.
Hopkins moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ippo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ippo wants to slow Hopkins down by chopping away at his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy Hopkins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hopkins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Jimmy Hopkins!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Jimmy Hopkins!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Jimmy Hopkins!

Jimmy Hopkins wins by unanimous decision!
Jimmy Hopkins thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Takamura Ippo had this to say: 'Owwie. My manager managed to forget to give me any sort of defensive capabilities at all, so this is it for me. Bye MMA; I'm off to start my own chain of restaurants, or somethin'.'.