PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brian Hopewell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gegard Sipowicz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sipowicz has chosen Highway to Hell as his entrance music. Brian Hopewell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopewell
vs
Sipowicz

172 cm
21
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

176 cm
24
166 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Brian Hopewell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gegard Sipowicz!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sipowicz slaps away a takedown attempt from Hopewell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sipowicz throws a right hand that Hopewell ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopewell also avoids with ease.
A combination from Sipowicz does no damage.
Hopewell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sipowicz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sipowicz wants it to stay on the feet.
Sipowicz misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Sipowicz.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopewell.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Hopewell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sipowicz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hopewell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Hopewell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sipowicz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sipowicz wants to get back to his feet.
Check out the look on Hopewell's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hopewell wants to control but Sipowicz is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sipowicz throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Sipowicz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hopewell shoots in for a double leg but Sipowicz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopewell dodges the punch combination from Sipowicz.
Sipowicz looks gassed!
Sipowicz misses with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Sipowicz.
Hopewell shoots in but Sipowicz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hopewell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Good standup being displayed there by Sipowicz as he connects with a hook.
Sipowicz throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopewell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Sipowicz.
Nice takedown defense from Sipowicz. No joy for Hopewell on that attempt.
Hopewell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sipowicz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sipowicz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hopewell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sipowicz tries to bum rush Hopewell with a series of wild strikes but Hopewell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sipowicz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gegard Sipowicz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sipowicz misses with a looping left.
Hopewell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sipowicz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sipowicz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopewell.
Sipowicz throws a right and a left that Hopewell avoids nicely.
Sipowicz leaves Hopewell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sipowicz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sipowicz misses with a double jab.
Sipowicz misses with a looping left.
Hopewell slips a jab and a cross from Sipowicz.
A punch combination from Sipowicz misses.
Sipowicz throws a shot from downtown. Hopewell moves away and avoids it.
Hopewell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hopewell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sipowicz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopewell somewhat.
Hopewell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sipowicz.
Sipowicz fails to land with a series of punches.
Hopewell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sipowicz throws out the jab.
Sipowicz throws a nice looking combination but Hopewell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sipowicz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopewell circles away quickly and effectively.
Hopewell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sipowicz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Hopewell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hopewell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopewell wants to control for a moment but Sipowicz uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Hopewell seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brian Hopewell will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sipowicz throws a right hand that Hopewell ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopewell also avoids with ease.
Hopewell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sipowicz as he jumps to the side.
Hopewell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sipowicz's waist but Sipowicz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hopewell off to one side.
Sipowicz misses with a two punch combination.
Brian Hopewell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sipowicz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sipowicz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Hopewell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sipowicz misses with a few strikes there.
Sipowicz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Sipowicz duly obliges.
Sipowicz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopewell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sipowicz scores with a nice head shot.
Sipowicz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopewell circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sipowicz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sipowicz misses with a two punch combination.
Sipowicz throws a right and a left that Hopewell avoids nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Sipowicz as Hopewell shoots in.
Hopewell looks for a takedown but Sipowicz sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopewell.
Sipowicz swinging wildly here.
Sipowicz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sipowicz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hopewell dodges the punch combination from Sipowicz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sipowicz looks to land a combination but Hopewell avoids it well.
Sipowicz misses with a wild combination.
Hopewell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sipowicz is fending him off so far but Hopewell persists. Nope, Sipowicz circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopewell dodges the punch combination from Sipowicz.
Sipowicz stuffs the takedown.
Sipowicz tries to bum rush Hopewell with a series of wild strikes but Hopewell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sipowicz lands a jab-cross combination.
Hopewell shoots in for a takedown but Sipowicz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gegard Sipowicz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopewell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hopewell shoots in and drives through. Sipowicz sprawls well.
Hopewell shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopewell shoots for a takedown but Sipowicz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sipowicz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sipowicz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Sipowicz duly obliges.
Sipowicz misses with a two punch combination.
Hopewell fails with the takedown.
Sipowicz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hopewell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sipowicz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown by Hopewell or perhaps it was just good defense by Sipowicz which made him look bad.
Hopewell avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sipowicz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hopewell shoots in but Sipowicz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hopewell shoots in for a takedown but Sipowicz shows good takedown defense.
A punch combination from Sipowicz misses.
Sipowicz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopewell has a takedown stuffed.
Sipowicz cracks Hopewell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sipowicz misses with a low kick.
Hopewell moves out of range as Sipowicz throws a body kick.
Hopewell shoots in for a double leg but Sipowicz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegard Sipowicz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Sipowicz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hopewell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hopewell slips a jab and a cross from Sipowicz.
No joy there for Sipowicz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sipowicz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hopewell.
Sipowicz looks to land a combination but Hopewell avoids it well.
Sipowicz slaps away a takedown attempt from Hopewell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gegard Sipowicz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopewell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sipowicz is fending him off so far but Hopewell persists. Nope, Sipowicz circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Hopewell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sipowicz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sipowicz looks to land a combination but Hopewell avoids it well.
Sipowicz misses with a double jab.
Hopewell misses with a takedown attempt - Sipowicz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopewell checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopewell dodges the punch combination from Sipowicz.
Hopewell shoots for a double leg takedown but Sipowicz sprawls well. He's pushed Hopewell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A good leg kick by Sipowicz.
Sipowicz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopewell closes the distance and clinches up with Sipowicz, looking for a takedown. Hopewell pushes Sipowicz against the cage but Sipowicz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sipowicz fails to land with a series of punches.
Sipowicz throws a right and a left that Hopewell avoids nicely.
Hopewell slips under a jab.
Sipowicz throws a series of punches but Hopewell avoids them all with ease.
Hopewell fails with a takedown attempt.
Sipowicz fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hopewell misses with a takedown attempt - Sipowicz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sipowicz throws a combination. Hopewell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sipowicz lands with a hook. Hopewell tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sipowicz scores with a leg kick.
Sipowicz throws a right and a left that Hopewell avoids nicely.
Hopewell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sipowicz circles away.
Sipowicz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hopewell blocks a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopewell is defended easily by Sipowicz.
A right-left combo lands from Sipowicz.
Hopewell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sipowicz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sipowicz.
Sipowicz misses with a wild combination.
Sipowicz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopewell fails with a takedown attempt.
Sipowicz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopewell circles away quickly and effectively.
Sipowicz leaves Hopewell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sipowicz throws a combination. Hopewell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hopewell shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopewell slips a jab and a cross from Sipowicz.
Hopewell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sipowicz avoids it really well and circles away.
A left and a right from Sipowicz both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sipowicz misses with a two punch combination.
Hopewell shoots in for a double leg but Sipowicz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopewell shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sipowicz defends it nicely.
Hopewell checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sipowicz fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Sipowicz.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopewell shoots in for a takedown but Sipowicz shows good takedown defense.
Sipowicz tries to bum rush Hopewell with a series of wild strikes but Hopewell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sipowicz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sipowicz wants it to stay on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gegard Sipowicz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sipowicz 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gegard Sipowicz!