PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Shabalala (ranked 2717 p4p, 304 weight class) and Jimmy Hopkins (ranked 2240 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Shabalala
vs
Hopkins

178 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

177 cm
34
170 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raymond Shabalala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jimmy Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Hopkins.
Shabalala takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shabalala with a poor takedown
and Hopkins counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shabalala with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hopkins counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Shabalala is rocked!
Hopkins with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Oh Shabalala is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shabalala gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hopkins counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raymond Shabalala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crunch! Hopkins slams his shin into Shabalala's torso.
Shabalala is breathing heavily.
A good leg kick by Hopkins.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins works Shabalala's body with a nice hook.
Hopkins lands a big right hook! Shabalala looks hurt but is still standing! Hopkins lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Shabalala falls down and Hopkins dives in with a huge hammer fist! Shabalala's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Hopkins runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Jimmy Hopkins!
A victorious Jimmy Hopkins thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.