PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wesley Poker (ranked 2257 p4p, 3761 weight class) and Danilo Hooper (ranked 325 p4p, 485 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Poker
vs
Hooper

180 cm
30
180
11 - 9 - 0

180 cm
19
179
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wesley Poker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Danilo Hooper!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Francis DeMontford and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poker misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hooper throws a sloppy head kick

and Poker counters with a takedown into side control.
Poker taking a breather here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Poker wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hooper, who protects the arm well.
Hooper is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poker controls the position.
Hooper is not content to let Poker control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hooper's face as Poker controls the position.
Poker creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Hooper is trying to escape the position but Poker is controlling the position.
Poker throws a strike aimed at the side of Hooper's head but Hooper avoids it well.
Hooper tries to buck Poker off but Poker is having none of it.
Poker fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hooper throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Hooper is trying to improve his position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poker gets to mount! Hooper was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hooper can do anything to dispel that myth.
Poker wants to control the pace but Hooper is squirming around nicely.
Hooper is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Hooper tries to hold on but Poker postures up.
Hooper working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poker looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hooper is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hooper tries to hold on but Poker postures up.
Hooper is desperately trying to improve his position but Poker has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Poker takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Poker looking to finish with strikes here!
Hooper is in all sorts of trouble here.
Poker looking to control but Hooper is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hooper wants to control but Poker is having none of it.
Hooper really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hooper wants to control but Poker is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wesley Poker dominated that round.
That's time! Poker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Poker lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hooper will feel that in the morning.
Poker scoring well with a low kick there.
Hooper lands a glancing blow to the side of Poker's head.
Poker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hooper sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Poker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Poker fails with an attempt to clinch.
Poker closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hooper counters with a one-two to the body.
Hooper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Poker.
Poker tries for a takedown but Hooper sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Poker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Poker gets a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Poker is keen to just control but Hooper is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper keeping control of the position.
Hooper trying to control from the bottom.
Poker trying to control from half guard but Hooper is working away.
Poker is thwarting Hooper's attempts to control the position.
Hooper is staying active underneath Poker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Poker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hooper can do to turn this around?

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.
Hooper takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hooper's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hooper duly obliges.

It looks like Wesley Poker has been cut.
No joy there for Poker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Poker takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Danilo Hooper seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Poker fails with a takedown attempt.
Hooper looks to land a combination but Poker avoids it well.
Hooper punishes Poker's body with a nice straight punch.
Poker doesn't manage to clinch there - Hooper circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hooper! But no joy.
Hooper throws a head kick but Poker moves out of range.
Poker wants to clinch.
Hooper throws a head kick that misses.
Hooper slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Poker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hooper.

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

Hooper lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Poker sprawling to the canvas. Hooper follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Poker hang on?

Poker is rocked!
Hooper lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Poker! More strikes land and this one is all over! Hooper jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Danilo Hooper!
During a confident post fight interview, Danilo Hooper thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.