PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kent Velez (ranked 25011 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Hooper (ranked 6293 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Velez
vs
Hooper

209 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kent Velez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jim Hooper!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hooper tries to clinch but Velez moves out of range.
Hooper tries to clinch but Velez moves out of range.
As Hooper tries to get set, Velez tries to push him back and clinch up but Hooper manages to avoid the attempt.
Hooper shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velez as he avoids it easily.
Hooper shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Velez counters with a big head kick but Hooper shrugs it off.
Velez swings for the body but Hooper moves out of range.
Hooper darts in looking for a takedown but Velez gets double underhooks and turns Hooper into the cage.
Velez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kent Velez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Hooper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hooper looks for a takedown but Velez sprawls well.
Velez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hooper dives in for a single leg takedown but Velez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper closes the distance looking to clinch
and Velez counters with a left and a right that stings Hooper.
Velez misses with a combination
and Hooper counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hooper swinging wildly here.
Velez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hooper.
Hooper shoots in and drives through. Velez sprawls well.
Velez tries to counter with a takedown but Hooper is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Velez is fending him off so far but Hooper persists. Nope, Velez circles away and we're back to standing.
Velez attempts a counter takedown but Hooper avoids it well and moves away.
Hooper takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Velez circles away from the clinch attempt

and Velez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velez stopping the sweep attempt from Hooper.
Velez trying to control but Hooper is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Velez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velez throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Hooper is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Velez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hooper wants to stand but Velez is controlling the position.
Velez throwing strikes from guard but Hooper blocks nicely.
Velez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Velez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Velez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hooper trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hooper managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Velez gets to his feet - Hooper follows without any prompting.
Hooper shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Velez defends it nicely.
Jim Hooper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hooper is defended easily by Velez.
Velez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hooper sprawls and moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

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

A head kick misses from Hooper.
Hooper tries to score a power double leg takedown but Velez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hooper somewhat.

Hooper throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Velez was covering up waiting for the punch and Hooper finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Velez has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hooper has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooper is leaning against Velez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hooper goes for a takedown attempt but Velez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hooper is looking for a takedown.
Kent Velez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Hooper.
A frustrated look appears on Hooper's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Velez keeps control of Hooper as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Velez drags the fight down to the ground.
Velez wants to sweep here but Hooper controlling him for the moment.
Hooper trying to control but Velez is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hooper pushing down on Velez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velez is trying to maintain the position but Hooper is very close to passing his half guard.
Velez gets full guard.
Velez is trying to keep Hooper in close.

Velez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hooper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hooper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Velez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hooper on the ground.
Velez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hooper.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hooper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hooper is looking to work some ground and pound but Velez has wrist control.
Hooper trying to control but Velez is working from the bottom.
Velez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hooper can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez has his hands on Hooper's head, controlling the position.
Hooper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Velez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hooper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Velez has his foot on Hooper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hooper works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hooper shoots in for a takedown but Velez shows good takedown defense.
A punch combination from Hooper misses.
Hooper tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooper throws a series of punches but Velez moves out of range.
Velez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Hooper gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Velez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hooper's efforts to push away.
Hooper wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hooper wants a takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Velez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hooper stalling the fight.
Velez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hooper.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kent Velez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hooper shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Velez is trying to defend but Hooper finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hooper missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Hooper in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Velez tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Hooper!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jim Hooper!