PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Rophilia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hughes
vs
Rophilia

185 cm
24
255 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

196 cm
26
265 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Rophilia!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes closes the distance and clinches up with Rophilia, looking for a takedown. Hughes pushes Rophilia against the cage but Rophilia circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rophilia lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Ryan Hughes has been cut.
Rophilia shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rophilia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hughes. Rophilia does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rophilia misses with a wild combination.
Hughes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rophilia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hughes somewhat.
Rophilia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hughes scores with a hook.

Hughes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hughes takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hughes lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Nick Rophilia has been cut.
Hughes taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hughes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rophilia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rophilia working aggressively here.
Hughes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rophilia tries to pull guard but Hughes holds him up against the cage and eventually Rophilia drops back down to his feet.
Rophilia managing to block the knees to the body from Hughes.
Rophilia takes an elbow to the forehead.

That has opened up Nick Rophilia's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rophilia tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hughes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ryan Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Rophilia.
Rophilia tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hughes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rophilia tries to pull guard but Hughes won't allow it.

Rophilia jumps into guard, dragging Hughes to the mat.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Rophilia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rophilia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hughes is aware though and is defending well.

Rophilia looking for a guillotine here but Hughes defends easily.
Hughes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hughes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rophilia's guard.
Hughes trying to control but Rophilia is working from the bottom.
Hughes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rophilia looking for a guillotine here but Hughes defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rophilia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hughes's guard.
Hughes wants to stand and escape but Rophilia is having none of it.
Hughes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rophilia is one step ahead there.
Rophilia thows a big elbow that misses.

Rophilia drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hughes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hughes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hughes!
Rophilia is looking for a sweep.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hughes stands up and beckons Rophilia to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rophilia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Hughes closes the distance and clinches.
Rophilia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hughes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

The cut above Nick Rophilia's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rophilia tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hughes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hughes looking to slow down the pace here.
Rophilia tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rophilia avoiding damage as Hughes throws knees to the body.
Rophilia fails to pull guard.
Rophilia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rophilia lands a body shot.
Hughes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hughes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rophilia.
Rophilia tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rophilia working aggressively here.
Hughes lands a damaging elbow.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Nick Rophilia's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Ryan Hughes!