PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bear Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "The Red" by Chevelle kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Stevenson
vs
Hopkins

178 cm
35
168 lbs
30 - 11 - 2

180 cm
35
165 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

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 30 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Bear Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Stevenson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stevenson.
Hopkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stevenson was well out of range. Poor timing from Hopkins.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown.

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
Stevenson misses with some punches.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stevenson's elbow.
Stevenson tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Stevenson back against the cage.
Stevenson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stevenson prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
We've been hearing reports that Stevenson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Stevenson can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
We've been informed that Hopkins has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson trying to stall but Hopkins improves his position.
Hopkins has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stevenson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stevenson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stevenson blocks an uppercut.
Stevenson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopkins or not.
Hopkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hopkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hopkins scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hopkins tries a head kick but it misses.

Hopkins forces Stevenson back against the cage and clinches.
Stevenson tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.
Hopkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hopkins tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stevenson looking for a takedown.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Hopkins lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stevenson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Hopkins.
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!
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Hopkins'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.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Stevenson blocks it.
Stevenson tries to break the clinch but Hopkins is controlling the position.
Stevenson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bear Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick from Hopkins lands but Stevenson takes it in his stride.
Hopkins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stevenson. Hopkins shrugs it off though.
Stevenson lands a right hook to the body.
Stevenson digs a good body shot into Hopkins's ribs.
Hopkins wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
Stevenson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Hopkins. Beautiful body shot.

Hopkins takes the fight into the clinch.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stevenson just leaning against Hopkins, taking a breather.
Hopkins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stevenson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hopkins lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stevenson connects with a leg kick. Hopkins looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stevenson 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.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Stevenson saw that one coming.
Hopkins lands with a slapping head kick.
Crunch! Stevenson slams his shin into Hopkins's torso.
Stevenson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown.
Stevenson lands a slapping body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hopkins is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Hopkins on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stevenson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stevenson looks for the body kick but Hopkins saw that one coming.
Stevenson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hopkins lands with a good body shot.
Stevenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
A head kick misses from Hopkins.
Stevenson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hopkins sprawls and moves away.
Stevenson is looking to wear down Hopkins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hopkins throws a head kick that Stevenson semi-blocks.

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
Hopkins lands a left hand.

Stevenson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Hopkins does it's job there.
Stevenson misses with a hook.
Hopkins throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson throws the left hand but Hopkins avoids the punch easily.
Stevenson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stevenson ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hopkins but Hopkins pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Hopkins dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A head kick misses from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands an overhand right.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins drops his hands momentarily and Stevenson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A head kick misses from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands with a right hand.
Hopkins lands with a hook. Stevenson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevenson manages to avoid it.
Stevenson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stevenson misses with a straight right.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stevenson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stevenson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slow jab from Hopkins misses its intended target.
Hopkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hopkins shapes to counter with a head kick.
Hopkins drops his hands momentarily and Stevenson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Stevenson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stevenson looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Ryan Hopkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stevenson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Stevenson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stevenson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hopkins.
Hopkins moves out of range of the body kick from Stevenson.
Hopkins looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hopkins wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
Hopkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Stevenson misses the target.
Hopkins swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stevenson looks to throw the jab but Hopkins is out of range.
Ryan Hopkins seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stevenson blocks a head kick by Hopkins.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hopkins dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stevenson just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Stevenson is avoiding it.
Hopkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stevenson throws an overhand right that lands on Hopkins's shoulder, as Hopkins tries to avoid the shot.
Hopkins doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hopkins prevents a body shot from Stevenson.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Stevenson controls the action.
Hopkins lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopkins scores with a shoulder strike.
Hopkins scores with a shoulder strike.
Hopkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Hopkins.
Stevenson has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.

Stevenson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stevenson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hopkins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good exchange - Stevenson coming out on top.
Stevenson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hopkins throws a sloppy head kick and Stevenson moves out of range easily.
Stevenson misses with a low kick.
Stevenson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hopkins lands an overhand right.

Hopkins forces Stevenson back against the cage and clinches.

Stevenson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Hopkins regains guard immediately.
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stevenson trying to control but Hopkins is working from the bottom.
Stevenson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stevenson looking to sit in guard and control but Hopkins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hopkins preventing the sweep.
Stevenson trying to control the position.
Stevenson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hopkins is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Stevenson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Hopkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hopkins misses with a head kick.
Hopkins misses with a head kick.
Stevenson works the jab nicely.
Hopkins bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stevenson throws a shot from downtown. Hopkins moves away and avoids it.
Stevenson moves out of range of the strikes.
Stevenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Hopkins moves away from the strike by Stevenson.
Stevenson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hopkins's hands.
Stevenson lands the left hand.
A head kick misses from Hopkins.
Stevenson cracks Hopkins with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Hopkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Stevenson breaks the clinch.
Stevenson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Stevenson, as that shot connected.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stevenson manages to avoid it.
Stevenson cracks Hopkins with an open hand slap.
Stevenson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hopkins at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevenson feinted with a counter takedown.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Hopkins moves out of range.
Stevenson thows a leg kick but Hopkins checks it
and Stevenson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Stevenson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopkins lands an overhand right.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Stevenson circles away and keeps his distance.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
It looked like Stevenson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopkins.
Nice shot lands for Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a head kick.
Hopkins takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Stevenson.
Hopkins takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stevenson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hopkins thuds a left hand into Stevenson's body.
Hopkins throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stevenson on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stevenson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hopkinss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stevenson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bear Stevenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stevenson slips under a jab from Hopkins.
Stevenson avoids the head kick by Hopkins.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stevenson loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch.
Hopkins is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Stevenson with a body shot.
Stevenson throws a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Hopkins.
A cross from Hopkins lands.
Stevenson throws a poor cross that misses
and Hopkins counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hopkins is looking to clinch.
Stevenson misses with a kick to the body.
Hopkins just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopkins moves out of range as Stevenson throws a body kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hopkins darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hopkins steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevenson.
Hopkins scores with a head kick.
Stevenson just misses with a punch to the body.
A clash of legs there as Hopkins blocks the low kick.
Stevenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
Hopkins scores with a head kick.
Stevenson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stevenson.
Ryan Hopkins is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Hopkins forces Stevenson back against the cage and clinches.
Stevenson misses with a body punch.
Stevenson lands a nice uppercut.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevenson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hopkins's elbow.
Hopkins working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stevenson.
Stevenson tries to work over Hopkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevenson is trying to force a seperation but Hopkins has the dominant position.
Stevenson tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.
Stevenson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stevenson wants to take the fight to the mat but Hopkins manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hopkins lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stevenson is leaning against Hopkins and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stevenson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.

Stevenson manages to break the clinch.
Stevenson misses with a low kick as Hopkins jumps back.
A little jabbing left from Hopkins on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hopkins tries to clinch up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ryan Hopkins.
I've got Hopkins winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Hopkins!
An out of breath Ryan Hopkins thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.