PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jovan Hopkins (ranked 25579 p4p, 3015 weight class) and Danny Rivera (ranked 460 p4p, 297 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hopkins
vs
Rivera

155 cm
23
155
0 - 3 - 0

179 cm
25
166
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jovan Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Danny Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Rivera checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Hopkins throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rivera was covering up waiting for the punch and Hopkins finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rivera has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hopkins off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hopkins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rivera counters with a left to the body.
Rivera looks to land a combination. Hopkins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Jovan Hopkins has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hopkins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hopkins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rivera after a bit of a struggle.
A frustrated look appears on Rivera's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hopkins is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins is pushing Rivera up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Our sources have told us that Hopkins has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Hopkins stalls.

Rivera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivera cracks a nice hook into Hopkins's ribs.
Rivera lands with an overhand left.
Rivera throws a nice looking combination but Hopkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Hopkins pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hopkins tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jovan Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hopkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rivera with the inside leg kick.
Rivera throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rivera lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hopkins backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rivera defends it nicely.
Hopkins is breathing heavily.
Rivera throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hopkins stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rivera misses with a head kick.
A good leg kick by Rivera.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rivera.
Hopkins blocks a head kick by Rivera.
Danny Rivera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rivera lands a big right hand that sends Hopkins crashing to the mat! Rivera stays standing though and waves Hopkins back to his feet!

Hopkins is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivera cracks Hopkins with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Danny Rivera!
After the fight, Danny Rivera was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.