PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karol Bedorf (ranked 3619 p4p, 4639 weight class) and Malosi Hokano (ranked 371 p4p, 425 weight class). Hokano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Down under. Hokano has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Malosi Hokano will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bedorf
vs
Hokano

177 cm
18
277
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
240
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Karol Bedorf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malosi Hokano!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bedorf throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hokano looks winded!
Hokano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bedorf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bedorf drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hokano sprawls and moves away.
Decent striking displayed by Bedorf there.
A head kick misses from Bedorf.
Despite the aggression on Hokano's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Bedorf tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hokano swivels and escapes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bedorf is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hokano is defending well.
Bedorf misses with a punch on the inside.
Bedorf misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bedorf misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hokano.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hokano.
Hokano is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bedorf breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bedorf clinches up with Hokano and pushes him back against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bedorf breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bedorf.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karol Bedorf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bedorf throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hokano.
No joy there for Hokano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bedorf darts in looking for a takedown but Hokano gets double underhooks and turns Bedorf into the ropes.
Bedorf lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hokano.
Bedorf is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bedorf manages to pull guard.

The fighters are working up against the ropes. Bedorf manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.
Bedorf tries to pull guard but Hokano forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.

Bedorf pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bedorf could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hokano misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bedorf changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hokano tries to avoid it but Bedorf manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hokano to the ground. Hokano escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bedorf tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bedorf or perhaps it was just good defense by Hokano, which made it look bad.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bedorf throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bedorf looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bedorf shoots and misses

and Hokano moves into the clinch.
Bedorf tries for a takedown but Hokano manages to get underhooks.
Bedorf jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hokano walks away with a smile on his face. Bedorf gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Malosi Hokano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Hokano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hokano throws a nice looking combination but Bedorf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bedorf closes the distance and clinches up with Hokano, looking for a takedown. Bedorf pushes Hokano against the ropes but Hokano circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hokano gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Bedorf counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bedorf postures up.
Hokano keeping full guard, as Bedorf tries to pass.
Hokano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bedorf looking to pass the guard.
Bedorf controlling from the top position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokano keeping moving, preventing Bedorf from controlling successfully.
Bedorf is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bedorf is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bedorf won't allow Hokano to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bedorf tries to clinch but Hokano moves out of range.
Bedorf tries to clinch up.
Bedorf shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bedorf walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hokano checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Malosi Hokano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bedorf slips a straight right by Hokano.
Bedorf lands a jab to the head.
Bedorf dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hokano. That did some damage!

Bedorf darts in and clinches Hokano up against the ropes.

Bedorf ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bedorf no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bedorf doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hokano is breathing heavily.
Bedorf looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hokano is one step ahead there.
Bedorf is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bedorf moves nicely into side control.
Bedorf working the ground and pound but Hokano is defending the strikes.

Bedorf working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Bedorf is trying to get an arm triangle but Hokano is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Bedorf stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Bedorf shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hokano wants to stand back up but Bedorf manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bedorf tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Karol Bedorf overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hokano tries to improve position but can't.
Bedorf works to advance to full mount. Hokano defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Hokano tries to lock up and control but Bedorf gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bedorf controlling from the full mount.
Bedorf wants to control the pace but Hokano is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokano is bucking up trying to escape but Bedorf cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bedorf trying to control but Hokano is having none of it.

Bedorf looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bedorf looking to control but Hokano is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Karol Bedorf dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bedorf closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bedorf is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bedorf tries for a takedown but Hokano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bedorf is defended easily by Hokano.
Bedorf shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hokano sprawls well. Hokano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bedorf gets slowly back to his feet.
Hokano tries to counter by closing the distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karol Bedorf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bedorf tries to close the distance and clinch but Hokano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bedorf shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bedorf tries for a takedown but Hokano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bedorf is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hokano can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bedorf pushes Hokano up against the ropes in a clinch.

Bedorf pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hokano throws a looping overhand right but Bedorf ducks down to avoid it.
Bedorf seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bedorf tries for a takedown but Hokano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bedorf tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hokano sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bedorf somewhat.
Hokano dodges the punch combination from Bedorf.
As Bedorf backs off Hokano throws a huge counter combo but Bedorf manages to avoid it all.
Hokano misses with a double jab.
Bedorf wants to clinch up but Hokano keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bedorf closes the distance and clinches up with Hokano, looking for a takedown. Bedorf pushes Hokano against the ropes but Hokano circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hokano tries to counter by closing the distance.
Bedorf is looking to clinch but Hokano is avoiding it.
Hokano throws out a counter right but Bedorf avoids it with no problem.
Bedorf takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hokano misses with a two punch combination.
Bedorf wants to clinch up but Hokano keeps it at a distance.
Hokano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bedorf.
Hokano is looking for the big counter here.
Bedorf tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bedorf shoots in looking for a takedown. Hokano tries to sprawl out of it but Bedorf keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Hokano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hokano lands with a nice combination. Bedorf backs away looking to recover.
Nice takedown defense from Hokano. No joy for Bedorf on that attempt.
Bedorf tries to clinch but Hokano moves out of range.
Bedorf goes for a double leg but Hokano avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Hokano continues to drive forward.

Hokano breaks from the clinch.
Bedorf dives in and grabs Hokano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hokano pushes down on Bedorf's head and hops out.
Hokano unleashes a big counter combination but Bedorf bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hokano lands a jab.
Bedorf throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hokano's waist but Hokano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bedorf off to one side.
Hokano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Malosi Hokano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bedorf.

Bedorf shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bedorf was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hokano throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Hokano manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Bedorf stalling away here and it's allowed Hokano to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Hokano wants to get back to his feet but Bedorf is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malosi Hokano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bedorf has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Gold scores the fight for Karol Bedorf!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Karol Bedorf!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Karol Bedorf!

Karol Bedorf wins by unanimous decision!
The defeated Malosi Hokano had this to say: 'Aye good fight brother. We need to run that back, yeah? Be seeing you all next time.'.