PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Willgren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Willgren
vs
Hopkins

178 cm
21
164 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Victor Willgren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Hopkins misses

and Willgren counters by clinching up.
Willgren is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Willgren manages to get underhooks.

Willgren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hopkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Willgren.
Hopkins throws a lazy uppercut
and Willgren counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hopkins misses with a straight right.
As Hopkins looks to move away, Willgren throws a big counter combo but Hopkins just gets out of the way.
Hopkins swings away with a body shot that misses
and Willgren counters with a nice body shot.
Hopkins throws a push kick but Willgren slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willgren stuffs the takedown attempt from Hopkins. Hopkins gets slowly back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Willgren does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Hopkins looks to move away, Willgren throws a big counter combo but Hopkins just gets out of the way.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Willgren is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hopkins.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Hopkins does no damage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hopkins or perhaps it was just good defense by Willgren, which made it look bad.
Victor Willgren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Hopkins.
Hopkins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Willgren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Willgren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopkins.
Willgren was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hopkins throws a half hearted mid kick.
Willgren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Willgren was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hopkins misses with a shot to the body
and Willgren counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hopkins misses with a looping right.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Willgren sprawls well. Willgren wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopkins gets slowly back to his feet.
And Willgren counters with a quick kick to the body but Hopkins blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Willgren does a little dance to reset his feet.
Willgren tries to counter by clinching up but Hopkins breaks away and moves out of range.
Hopkins looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Willgren seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Willgren manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. Willgren looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hopkins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Willgren seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hopkins thows a leg kick but Willgren checks it
and Willgren counters with a left to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Willgren bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hopkins throws a looping overhand right but Willgren ducks down to avoid it.
As Hopkins looks to move away, Willgren throws a big counter combo but Hopkins just gets out of the way.
Victor Willgren is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopkins throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins throws a low kick but it's checked well by Willgren.
Hopkins shoots for a double leg takedown but Willgren sprawls well. He's pushed Hopkins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hopkins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Willgren's waist but Willgren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hopkins off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses
and Willgren counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hopkins misses with a right hand
letting Willgren counter with a right hand.
Hopkins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Willgren.
Willgren seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jimmy Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Willgren counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Willgren moves out of range of the body kick from Hopkins.
Willgren is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hopkins.
Hopkins thuds his right hand into Willgren's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hopkins misses with a looping left.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a hook to the body
letting Willgren counter with a right hand.
Willgren gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Willgren went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but Willgren shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Willgren tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hopkins manages to circle out of the way.
Hopkins misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a hook. Willgren ducked under it nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.
As Hopkins looks to move away, Willgren throws a big counter combo but Hopkins just gets out of the way.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Willgren.
Willgren tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hopkins manages to circle out of the way.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.
Willgren is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hopkins.
Willgren checks a low kick from Hopkins.
Willgren seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Willgren ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As Hopkins tries to get set, Willgren tries to push him back and clinch up but Hopkins manages to avoid the attempt.
Hopkins throws a wild body kick that Willgren sees coming a mile off.
Hopkins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Willgren swivels and escapes.
Hopkins throws a half hearted mid kick.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Willgren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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 Victor Willgren will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hopkins throws a body punch but Willgren moves out of range.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Willgren was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hopkins misses with a combination
and Willgren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Victor Willgren is winning the standup battle so far.
Hopkins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins throws a right hand that Willgren ducks under and follows up with a left that Willgren also avoids with ease.
Willgren throws a counter high kick but Hopkins was just alert enough to avoid it.
Hopkins does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hopkins gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Willgren counters with a series of strikes. Hopkins will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins misses with a body punch

and Willgren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Willgren tries to stall but Hopkins uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hopkins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Willgren fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Willgren seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willgren closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hopkins gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Willgren counters with a three punch combo that has Hopkins backing up. Hopkins nods at Willgren to acknowledge the strikes.
Hopkins looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A low kick from Hopkins misses
and Willgren counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Willgren thinks about countering with a head kick.
A head kick by Hopkins misses

and Willgren counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Willgren.
Willgren pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Willgren stalling in the clinch.
Hopkins stalling in the clinch.
I was talking to Willgren's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Willgren blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Willgren breaks from the clinch.
Hopkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Willgren moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
It looked like Willgren was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopkins.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.
Willgren is looking to counter the offense by Hopkins and move into the clinch.
Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Willgren.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins misses with a right hand
and Willgren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Willgren as he avoids it easily.
As Hopkins looks to move away, Willgren throws a big counter combo but Hopkins just gets out of the way.
Victor Willgren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Hopkins.
Hopkins rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Willgren counters with a stiff right hand.
Willgren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
A quick step to the side and Willgren tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins misses with the body kick

and Willgren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Willgren is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hopkins can do to turn this around?
Willgren is looking to control Hopkins's arms but Hopkins gets an underhook and turns him. Now Willgren has his back to the ropes.
Willgren blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Willgren is struggling to control the position.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is looking to control Willgren's arms but Willgren gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hopkins has his back to the ropes.
Willgren looking to stall.
Hopkins is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Willgren pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins throws a front kick that sends Willgren stumbling back into the ropes.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt
and Willgren counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Willgren staying out of range there.
Hopkins throws a lazy uppercut
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Willgren is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Hopkins. Beautiful body shot.
Willgren slips a jab from Hopkins.
Hopkins rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Willgren takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The referee calls for Willgren to work.

Willgren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hopkins throws an off balance right hand
and Willgren counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins misses with a jab to the body

and Willgren moves into the clinch.
Hopkins is looking to take this one to the mat.

Willgren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Willgren dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Willgren is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hopkins.
Willgren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses
and Willgren counters with a left to the body.
Hopkins fails with the takedown
and Willgren makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses
and Willgren counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hopkins throws a leg kick
and Willgren counters with a nice body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hopkins, right into the meat.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopkins throws a head kick that misses.
Willgren appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hopkins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hopkins tries to land a body kick
and Willgren cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a hook to the body
and Willgren counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins wants to land a leg kick but Willgren is out of range.
Hopkins throws a combination that misses
and Willgren counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Willgren slips a straight right by Hopkins.
Hopkins tries to land a front kick but Willgren steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopkins throws a wild body kick that Willgren sees coming a mile off.
Hopkins misses with a right hand
and Willgren counters with a three punch combo that has Hopkins backing up. Hopkins nods at Willgren to acknowledge the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Willgren checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hopkins has his takedown stuffed
and Willgren counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Victor Willgren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Hopkins.
Hopkins falls off balance throwing a combination
and Willgren counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jimmy Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a predictable looking body shot
and Willgren counters with a left and a right that stings Hopkins.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Willgren to counter with a crisp jab.
Hopkins misses with a leg kick
and Willgren counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hopkins with a poor takedown
and Willgren counters with a one-two to the body.
Hopkins throws a leg kick
and Willgren counters with a three punch combo that has Hopkins backing up. Hopkins nods at Willgren to acknowledge the strikes.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins throws a leg kick
and Willgren counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Willgren seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hopkins shoots in but no luck this time.
Willgren tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hopkins manages to circle out of the way.
Hopkins misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Hopkins misses

and Willgren moves into the clinch.

Willgren breaks from the clinch.
Hopkins wants to land a leg kick but Willgren is out of range.
It appears Willgren was looking to counter with a kick there.
Hopkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Willgren seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hopkins swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Willgren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Willgren - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Willgren is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Willgren breaks from the clinch.
Willgren defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Hopkins fails with the takedown.
Willgren is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a hook
and Willgren counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hopkins throws a leg kick

and Willgren counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Willgren.
Willgren stalling against the ropes.
Hopkins has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Willgren taking a breather.
Willgren prevents a takedown attempt there.
A bit of stalling here from Willgren.
Come on Willgren - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Willgren gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Hopkins taking a breather.
Willgren has Hopkins pressed against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Victor Willgren.
Hopkins closes the distance and lands a one-two.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Willgren showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Willgren 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Victor Willgren!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Victor Willgren!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Victor Willgren!

Victor Willgren wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Victor Willgren made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.