PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andy Artukovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Artukovic has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Artukovic
vs
Hopkins

185 cm
18
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
217 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andy Artukovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Artukovic is keeping the position.

Artukovic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Artukovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Artukovic isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hopkins stacks Artukovic on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hopkins!
Artukovic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hopkins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Artukovic.

Hopkins has one foot on Artukovic's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Artukovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hopkins counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Artukovic's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Artukovic isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hopkins stacks Artukovic on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hopkins!
Artukovic has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hopkins working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins is trying to get an arm triangle but Artukovic is defending well.
Hopkins taking a breather here.

Hopkins thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Artukovic can't do much from the bottom here.
Hopkins in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Artukovic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hopkins off and has taken his back!
Hopkins trying to control the hands but Artukovic won't let him.
Artukovic keeps control of the position as Hopkins tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Artukovic tightening his grip on Hopkins, looking for the choke.

Artukovic working for the choke.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hopkins trying to control the position but Artukovic manages to sink in the hooks.
Hopkins has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Artukovic has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hopkins has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins just looking to survive in the bad position.
Hopkins covers up after that shot from Artukovic.

Hopkins preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Artukovic.

Artukovic working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Artukovic throws a series of strikes and Hopkins wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tries to reverse the position but Artukovic maintains control.
Artukovic misses with a head shot.
Hopkins is looking to get to half guard.

Artukovic swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hopkins is now in Artukovic's guard. A big mistake from Artukovic there, giving up the dominant position!
Hopkins trying to control but Artukovic is working from the bottom.

Artukovic is looking for a triangle but Hopkins pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Artukovic wants to sweep but no luck.

Artukovic throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hopkins escapes and throws Artukovic's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Hopkins will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hopkins has his takedown stuffed

and Artukovic counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hopkins taking some punishment here, with Artukovic in his half guard.
Hopkins is controlling Artukovic's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hopkins is refusing to be controlled, as Artukovic sits in half guard.
Hopkins regains full guard. Nicely done.
Artukovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Artukovic lands a couple of elbows.
Artukovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Hopkins is retaining full guard.
Hopkins wants to sweep here but Artukovic controlling him for the moment.
Artukovic wants to pass the guard but Hopkins is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Artukovic has gone for a leg lock! Hopkins slips out almost immediately though and dives into Artukovic's guard.

Artukovic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hopkins is aware though and is defending well.
Hopkins stays in close to Artukovic's body and controls the position.
Artukovic keeping full guard, as Hopkins tries to pass.

Artukovic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Artukovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hopkins gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Artukovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Artukovic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hopkins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hopkins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Artukovic keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.

Artukovic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hopkins defends it easily.

Artukovic has his foot on Hopkins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hopkins works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopkins tries to stand but Artukovic is controlling from the bottom.
Hopkins slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Andy Artukovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hopkins is trying to get an arm triangle but Artukovic is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins controlling from side mount.
Artukovic is looking to reverse the position.

Hopkins tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hopkins has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Artukovic sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Artukovic trying to control here.

Artukovic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopkins pulls his head out easily.

Artukovic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Artukovic has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Hopkins. Oh but Artukovic has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Hopkins goes limp - he's gone! Artukovic jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Andy Artukovic!