PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Troy Hooper (ranked 1076 p4p, 147 weight class) and Vlad Black (ranked 1316 p4p, 167 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hooper
vs
Black

180 cm
38
175 lbs
29 - 15 - 2

184 cm
27
182 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 29 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Troy Hooper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vlad Black!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black throws a right hand that Hooper ducks under and follows up with a left that Hooper also avoids with ease.
Hooper feinted with a counter takedown.
Hooper swings for the body but Black moves out of range.
Black defending well as Hooper loads up on a big left hand.
Black needs to keep his hands up - Hooper had a free shot at his head there.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Black has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Black looks to land a right hand but Hooper moved out of range.
Black misses with a combination

and Hooper decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Black's guard.

Black wriggles free and stands up.
Hooper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It seemed like Black was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hooper looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hooper connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Black momentarily.
Black closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Black swinging wildly here.
Black uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hooper.
Black just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hooper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Hooper drives through with a takedown into Black's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Black wants to stand up but Hooper is controlling him.
Hooper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hooper wants to control from the top but Black keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hooper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hooper keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Black's head.
Hooper working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hooper being controlled here momentarily.
Hooper throws a big elbow that misses.
Hooper postures up and lands a big shot to Black's brow.
Hooper content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black has momentary wrist control but Hooper slips an elbow through the middle.
Black seems keen to control Hooper's posture.
Hooper with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hooper lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hooper keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Black's head.

Black is rocked!
Black working a defensive guard here.
Black is still in real trouble! Can Hooper finish him?
Hooper lands a couple of elbows.
Hooper postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Black covers up, he's hurt! Hooper keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Hooper and the ref steps in to end the fight! Hooper can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Troy Hooper!
Troy Hooper was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.