PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Faustino Hooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Hazlehurst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hazlehurst has chosen Queen - Stone Cold Crazy as his entrance music. Faustino Hooper has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hooper
vs
Hazlehurst

194 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Faustino Hooper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Brandon Hazlehurst!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hazlehurst throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hooper tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hazlehurst is in Hooper's guard.
Hazlehurst wants to get up but he can't break Hooper's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Hooper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hooper really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hazlehurst sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Brandon Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst misses with a takedown

and Hooper counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Hooper manages to break the clinch.
Hooper throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Hooper gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hazlehurst to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hazlehurst is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brandon Hazlehurst wasn't active enough on the ground.

Hazlehurst moves into the clinch successfully.
Hazlehurst tries to pull guard but Hooper holds him up against the cage and eventually Hazlehurst drops back down to his feet.
Hooper is trying to push Hazlehurst away but Hazlehurst has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hazlehurst keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hooper's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hooper fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Faustino Hooper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hazlehurst gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Hooper pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hazlehurst tries to bum rush Hooper with a series of wild strikes but Hooper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Hazlehurst. No joy for Hooper on that attempt.

Hazlehurst fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hooper sprawls well initially but Hazlehurst persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hazlehurst is looking to stall here but Hooper recovers full guard.
Hazlehurst looks winded!
Hazlehurst's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Hooper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hazlehurst controlling from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hazlehurst trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hooper's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Brandon Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown but Hooper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Hazlehurst tries to sprawl but Hooper drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hooper stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hooper.
Hazlehurst is concentrating on defense, preventing Hooper from advancing position.
Hooper will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hooper working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hazlehurst is trying to control but can't.
Hooper scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hooper in particular looking to stall.
Hooper is thwarting Hazlehurst's attempts to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hooper looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hooper throws a hook but Hazlehurst blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Hazlehurst dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hazlehurst pushes Hooper up against the cage in a clinch.
Hooper controlling the action here for a moment.

Hooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hooper drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hazlehurst is looking to reverse the position.
Hooper is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Hazlehurst will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
The ground and pound from Hooper seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
You can see the frustration on Hazlehurst's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper trying to control the position but Hazlehurst is working away.
Hazlehurst regains half guard.
Hazlehurst works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hooper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hazlehurst has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hooper has managed to get both his arms back between Hazlehurst's legs - danger averted.
Hazlehurst is breathing heavily.
Hooper controlling from the top position.
Hooper stops Hazlehurst from standing up.
Hooper controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Faustino Hooper.
Hooper darts in looking for a takedown but Hazlehurst gets double underhooks and turns Hooper into the cage.
Hazlehurst is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hooper is defending well for now.
Hooper tries to break free but Hazlehurst pushes him back against the cage.
Hazlehurst has Hooper pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hooper manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hazlehurst dodges an elbow strike from Hooper.
Hazlehurst drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hooper pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hooper dives in for a single leg takedown but Hazlehurst sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper is trying to break free.
Hooper is looking to break free of the clinch but Hazlehurst has double underhooks.

Hooper breaks the clinch.
Hazlehurst stuffs the takedown attempt from Hooper. Hooper gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faustino Hooper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hazlehurst throws a sloppy head kick and Hooper moves out of range easily.
Hooper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Hooper tries to keep at a distance but Hazlehurst has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hazlehurst blocks an elbow strike from Hooper.
Hazlehurst wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hooper's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hooper prevents the takedown attempt.
Hooper is pushing Hazlehurst up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Hooper pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hazlehurst clinches with his opponent.
Hazlehurst jumps guard but Hooper stands there with Hazlehurst around his waist. Hazlehurst gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hooper lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hazlehurst fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hazlehurst jumps guard but Hooper stands there with Hazlehurst around his waist. Hazlehurst gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hooper creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hazlehurst's defenses.
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 Faustino Hooper will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hazlehurst blocks a head kick by Hooper.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hooper wants to break free but Hazlehurst has control.
Hazlehurst is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hazlehurst looking for a takedown.
Hooper wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hooper is trying to force a seperation but Hazlehurst has the dominant position.
Nice body punch from Hazlehurst - that landed with a thud.
Hooper doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hooper working hard to break the clinch.

Hazlehurst breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hazlehurst takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Hazlehurst rushes Hooper and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper is looking to break free of the clinch but Hazlehurst has double underhooks.
Hooper gets underhooks to prevent Hazlehurst's takedown attempt.

Hooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hazlehurst takes the fight into the clinch.
Hazlehurst fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Faustino Hooper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hazlehurst looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hazlehurst lands with a good body shot.
Hooper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brandon Hazlehurst is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hazlehurst shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hooper pinned against the cage. Hooper gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Hooper tries to keep at a distance but Hazlehurst has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooper is trying to break free.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Hooper manages to break the clinch.

Hazlehurst fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hooper, pushing him back against the cage.
Hooper is trying to break the clinch but Hazlehurst is controlling him.

Hooper pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hazlehurst will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hazlehurst changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hooper looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hooper regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper tries to roll over but Hazlehurst keeps him under control.

Hooper is defending against the submission attempts here by Hazlehurst.
Hooper gets back to full guard.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Hooper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hooper is trying to control the position but Hazlehurst postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooper keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.
Hazlehurst tries to stand but Hooper is controlling from the bottom.
Hooper managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Brandon Hazlehurst was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hooper sprawls well. Hooper wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hazlehurst gets slowly back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hooper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hazlehurst.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Brandon Hazlehurst.
I think Hazlehurst has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Hazlehurst!
During a confident post fight interview, Brandon Hazlehurst thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.