PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josh Clark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apachai Hopachai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clark comes to the cage accompanied by Silversun Pickups - Comeback Kid. Apachai Hopachai will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Clark
vs
Hopachai

173 cm
23
168 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Josh Clark!
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, Apachai Hopachai!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Hopachai. No joy for Clark on that attempt.
Clark misses with a series of wild punches.
Hopachai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hopachai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Clark can't break the clinch.
Clark tries to circle away but Hopachai has him pinned against the cage.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.
Hopachai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hopachai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Clark's defenses.
Clark wants to get back to striking at distance but Hopachai won't allow it.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopachai lands an elbow inside.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopachai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Clark blocks an elbow strike.

Clark manages to break the clinch.
A left and a right from Clark both land. Nice combination.
No joy there for Clark, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hopachai fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopachai slaps away a takedown attempt from Clark, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Hopachai instigates a clinch.
Clark doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hopachai lands an elbow inside.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Clark.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Clark manages to break the clinch.

Hopachai closes the distance and pushes Clark back into the cage.
Hopachai scores with a knee to the head.
Clark doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopachai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Clark's defenses.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Hopachai tries to land a knee to the head but Clark blocks with his arms.
Clark looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head.
Clark is trying to break the clinch but Hopachai has him pressed against the cage.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Clark is breathing heavily.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hopachai lands an elbow inside that Clark shrugs off.
Hopachai gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Clark has had enough of the clinch but Hopachai keeps him there for the moment.
Clark has had enough of the clinch but Hopachai keeps him there for the moment.
Hopachai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Clark's face.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow.
Hopachai stops a takedown attempt from Clark.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopachai connects with a knee to the head.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head.
Clark takes an elbow to the temple.
Clark wants to break free but Hopachai has control.
Hopachai looking to throw knees to the head but Clark is blocking nicely.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopachai is pressed up against the cage. Clark has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hopachai down to the mat. Hopachai avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Apachai Hopachai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hopachai instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Hopachai.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Clark has Hopachai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hopachai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hopachai landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Clark takes an elbow to the temple.
Hopachai putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Clark in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopachai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Clark's face.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Clark has Hopachai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hopachai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hopachai looking to throw knees to the head but Clark is blocking nicely.
Hopachai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Clark drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hopachai gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
Clark has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Clark doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Clark takes an elbow to the temple.
A knee to the head by Hopachai.
Clark working hard to break the clinch.
Hopachai scores with a knee to the head.
Clark is looking to break free of the clinch but Hopachai has double underhooks.
Hopachai lands an elbow inside that Clark shrugs off.
Clark is trying to break free.
Clark takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hopachai looking to throw knees to the head but Clark is blocking nicely.
Clark wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hopachai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Clark has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apachai Hopachai dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Clark scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Clark fails to land with a series of punches.
Clark shoots for a takedown but Hopachai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Josh Clark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hopachai moves into the clinch.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hopachai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Clark's defenses.
Hopachai lands an elbow just above Clark 's eye.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Hopachai working Clark over with knees to the body.
Hopachai scores with a knee to the head.
Hopachai connects with a knee to the head.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopachai is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hopachai unloads a knee to the mid-section. Clark lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hopachai misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Clark breaks the clinch.
Clark shoots in for a double leg but Hopachai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopachai throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hopachai scores with a head kick.
Clark shoots for a takedown but Hopachai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopachai wants to clinch.
Josh Clark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clark shoots for a takedown but Hopachai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hopachai cracks the inside of Clark's front leg.

Hopachai clinches up against the cage.
Clark takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Clark tries to circle away but Hopachai has him pinned against the cage.
Clark wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice elbow from Hopachai.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.
Hopachai lands a good knee to the midsection. Clark won't want to take too many of those.
Clark misses with a short punch on the inside.
Clark is trying to break free.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Hopachai.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
A frustrated look appears on Clark's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow.
Clark wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hopachai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Clark's brow.
Clark takes an elbow to the temple.
Clark is trying to force a seperation but Hopachai has the dominant position.
Hopachai gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow.
Clark tries to break free but Hopachai pushes him back against the cage.
Clark takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hopachai prevents Clark from breaking the clinch.
Hopachai blocks an uppercut.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hopachai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Clark is trying to break the clinch but Hopachai has him pressed against the cage.
Hopachai tries to land a knee to the head but Clark blocks with his arms.
Clark tries to circle away but Hopachai has him pinned against the cage.
Clark wants to stall.
Hopachai gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Clark takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hopachai misses with a knee strike.
Clark has had enough of the clinch but Hopachai keeps him there for the moment.
Hopachai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Clark looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hopachai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

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

Clark scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Clark decides to stand back up.

Hopachai drives through and clinches with Clark against the cage.
Hopachai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Clark tries to break the clinch but Hopachai is controlling the position.
Clark takes an elbow to the temple.
Hopachai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Clark wants to get back to striking at distance but Hopachai won't allow it.
Hopachai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apachai Hopachai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Clark.
Hopachai tries to close the distance and clinch but Clark swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopachai tries a head kick but it misses.
Clark swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Hopachai has Clark up against the cage in a clinch.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Clark is looking to break free of the clinch but Hopachai has double underhooks.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Hopachai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hopachai throws an elbow but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hopachai throws an elbow that misses.
Hopachai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.
Clark working hard to break the clinch.
Hopachai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hopachai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Clark breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Clark tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopachai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopachai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Clark tries to clinch up but Hopachai circles away and keeps his distance.
Clark fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hopachai avoids a punch combination nicely.

Hopachai clinches up with Clark and pushes him back against the cage.
Clark goes for a takedown attempt but Hopachai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Hopachai is looking to clinch.

Hopachai drives through and clinches with Clark against the cage.
Hopachai lands an elbow inside that Clark shrugs off.
Hopachai connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Hopachai.
Clark wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hopachai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hopachai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hopachai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Clark's defenses.
Hopachai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Clark avoids it.
Hopachai looking to throw knees to the head but Clark is blocking nicely.
Clark dodges an elbow strike from Hopachai.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hopachai has him pressed against the cage.
Clark is trying to break the clinch but Hopachai has him pressed against the cage.
Clark blocks an elbow strike.
A knee to the head by Hopachai.
Clark wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hopachai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Clark is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hopachai pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Clark wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hopachai lands an elbow that stopped Clark in his tracks for a moment.
Clark takes an elbow to the forehead.
Clark wants a takedown.
Hopachai landing knees to the head.
Hopachai tries a knee to the head but Clark blocks it.
Hopachai misses with an elbow strike.
Hopachai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Clark has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Clark has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hopachai lands an elbow that stopped Clark in his tracks for a moment.

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.
Hopachai lands a damaging elbow.
Hopachai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Clark.
Nice elbow from Hopachai.
Hopachai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Clark blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopachai misses with a knee to the head.
Clark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Clark is trying to force a seperation but Hopachai has the dominant position.
Hopachai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hopachai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Clark has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Clark takes an elbow to the forehead.
Clark can't break the clinch.
Clark is trying to force a seperation but Hopachai has the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Clark avoids a wild elbow strike from Hopachai.
Hopachai misses with a knee strike.

Clark has Hopachai pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Clark pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hopachai tumbling to the mat - Clark dives into Hopachai's guard.
Josh Clark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Apachai Hopachai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Clark stopping the sweep attempt from Hopachai.

And that's the end of the fight!
Apachai Hopachai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hopachai winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Apachai Hopachai!