PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Seth Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Germone Simpson (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.

Hopkins
vs
Simpson

185 cm
21
201 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
28
195 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Seth Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Germone Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson misses with a wild combination.
Simpson throws a combination that misses
and Hopkins counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hopkins fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hopkins on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hopkins connects with a right hand. Simpson shakes it off.
Simpson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hopkins counters with a nice body shot.
A lazy left from Hopkins finds it's target.
Simpson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.
Simpson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hopkins counters by clinching up.
Simpson misses with the head strike.
Hopkins scores with a hook to the body.

Hopkins is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Simpson can't fight it off and eventually Hopkins manages to take the fight to the floor. Simpson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hopkins stays in close to Simpson's body and controls the position.
Simpson keeping full guard, as Hopkins tries to pass.
Hopkins throwing strikes but missing.
Hopkins stays in close to Simpson's body and controls the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Simpson moves out of range.

That's two 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.
Simpson scores with a jab.
Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simpson.
Simpson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hopkins under the eye.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hopkins instigates a clinch.
Simpson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Simpson throws a head punch that misses.
Simpson has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.

Hopkins lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hopkins prevents Simpson from standing back up.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Simpson is defending well.
Simpson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to pass the guard but Simpson defending well.
Hopkins lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Simpson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hopkins.
Hopkins is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hopkins lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hopkins lands a nice short elbow.
Hopkins 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 is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Simpson tries to roll over but Hopkins keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hopkins is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Simpson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hopkins scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simpson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hopkins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Hopkins dominated that round.
That's time! Hopkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hopkins gets a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Hopkins.
Hopkins managing to block the knees to the body from Simpson.

Hopkins has Simpson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hopkins pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Simpson tumbling to the mat - Hopkins dives into Simpson's guard.
Simpson wants to sweep here but Hopkins controlling him for the moment.
Hopkins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hopkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simpson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopkins with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hopkins postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopkins is one step ahead there.
Hopkins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hopkins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hopkins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hopkins passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hopkins thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Hopkins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Simpson tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Hopkins manages to move to mount!
Simpson is breathing heavily.
Hopkins trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hopkins landing strikes, looking to finish!
Hopkins dominating with strikes here.

Hopkins working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Simpson is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins controlling from mount.
Hopkins working Simpson over with strikes here.
Hopkins postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Simpson looks a forlorn figure.
Hopkins content just to control the position here.
Simpson tries to hold on but Hopkins pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Hopkins dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Simpson.
Hopkins scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Simpson doesn't seem bothered though.
Simpson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hopkins checks it well.
Hopkins scores with a hook to the body. Simpson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Simpson misses with a low kick.
Simpson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Hopkins has closed the distance and engaged Simpson in a clinch.
Hopkins is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Simpson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hopkins is trying to drag Simpson to the mat but Simpson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Simpson stops a takedown attempt from Hopkins.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Hopkins.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hopkins avoiding damage as Simpson throws knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Simpson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Simpson fails to land.
Hopkins is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hopkins wants a takedown but no success here.
Simpson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Simpson lands a right hand.
Simpson lands a body punch in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Hopkins has Simpson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hopkins pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Simpson tumbling to the mat - Hopkins dives into Simpson's guard.
Hopkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Seth Hopkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simpson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson being controlled here, momentarily.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
Hopkins is really struggling to control Simpson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Simpson wants to control but Hopkins passes easily into half guard.
Hopkins takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Seth Hopkins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Seth Hopkins wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Simpson throws a front kick aimed at Hopkins's knee but Hopkins avoids it well.
Germone Simpson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simpson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simpson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopkins circles away quickly and effectively.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopkins connects with a crisp jab.
Hopkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hopkins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Simpson is fending him off so far but Hopkins persists. Nope, Simpson circles away and we're back to standing.
No joy there for Simpson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Simpson misses with a double jab

and Hopkins decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Simpson's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson looking to control.
Hopkins slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hopkins's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hopkins advances to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Simpson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hopkins takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hopkins perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Germone Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simpson is trying to stand up here but Hopkins is controlling him well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seth Hopkins showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hopkins has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:26
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seth Hopkins!