PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bob Hope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikkel Kessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikkel Kessler has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Bob Hope's chin.

Hope
vs
Kessler

195 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Versus Clothing

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bob Hope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikkel Kessler!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hope checks a leg kick.
Hope tries to bum rush Kessler with a series of wild strikes but Kessler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hope uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kessler.
Hope throws a body kick that misses.
Kessler fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kessler looks to land a combination but Hope avoids it well.
Hope throws a right and a left that Kessler avoids nicely.
Bob Hope seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kessler lands an overhand right.
Kessler misses with a double jab.
Hope on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kessler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hope manages to avoid it.
Kessler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hope throws out the jab.
Kessler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hope.
Hope pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hope moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kessler lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kessler connects with a jab.
Hope swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kessler scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hope doesn't seem bothered though.
Kessler digs a good hook to Hope's body.
Kessler throws a hook but Hope blocks it.
Kessler with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab from Hope misses.
Kessler misses with a hook. Hope ducked under it nicely.
Hope gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hope avoids the body shot from Kessler.
Hope takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A lazy left from Kessler finds it's target.
Kessler misses with a lunging right hand
and Hope counters with a good low kick that Kessler was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hope is looking to chop away at Kessler's legs.
Good standup being displayed there by Kessler as he connects with a hook.
Hope connects with a solid leg kick.
Kessler throws a leg kick but Hope sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hope moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hope takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hope misses with a series of wild punches.
Kessler throws a hook to the side of Hope's head but Hope sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hope wants to clinch up but Kessler keeps it at a distance.
Kessler connects with a body shot that sends Hope's belly button to the back.
Kessler takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Kessler takes the fight into the clinch.
Hope gets through Kessler's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Kessler scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kessler throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A short right from Kessler on the inside.
Hope misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kessler scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Kessler scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hope's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hope tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kessler's elbow.
Kessler softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kessler fails to land.
Kessler lands a shot to the body.
Come on Hope - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kessler throws an elbow but it misses.
Kessler pushes Hope back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kessler is looking to break free of the clinch but Hope has double underhooks.
Kessler scores with a shoulder strike.
Kessler throws a head punch that misses.
Kessler lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hope.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hope tries a body shot but Kessler blocks it.
Hope works on Kessler's body with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hope tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hope tries a body shot but Kessler blocks it.
Kessler scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kessler working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Hope fails to land.
Kessler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hope misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hope tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kessler slowing the pace effectively.
Kessler lands a body shot in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Kessler.
Hope manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hope misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kessler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch on the inside from Hope fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kessler scores with a shot to the body.
Hope lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hope throws a series of punches but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kessler misses with a straight right.
Hope ducks under a wild hook from Kessler.
Hope throws a head kick but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler just misses with a punch to the body.
Hope scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kessler moves out of range of the body kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hope.
Kessler swings for the body but Hope moves out of range.
Kessler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bob Hope is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kessler tests Hope's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kessler looks to score with a jab to the body but Hope is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kessler clinches up against the cage.
Kessler cracks Hope with a nice body shot.
Mikkel Kessler seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kessler lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hope stalling the fight.
Kessler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Hope breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kessler smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kessler lands a jab to the nose.
Hope doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kessler misses with a looping left.
Hope uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kessler.
Hope takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hope steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kessler.
Kessler lands a glancing blow to the side of Hope's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hope moves in looking to clinch but Kessler pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope misses with a body punch
and Kessler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Some wild striking there from Hope.
Hope looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Good shot there by Kessler.
Hope pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hope misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kessler rushes Hope and presses him up against the cage.
Kessler blocks a body shot from Hope.
Kessler pressing his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hope stalling.
Kessler lands with a short shot to the head.
Hope tries a body shot but Kessler blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kessler.
Hope throws a punch but it's blocked by Kessler.
Kessler leaning against his opponent.
Hope misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kessler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kessler tries to stall but Hope uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nice body punch from Kessler.
Hope is trying to maintain a safe position but Kessler gets an underhook and turns Hope into the cage.
Kessler scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kessler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kessler lands with a light punch inside.
Hope throws a punch but it's blocked by Kessler.
Kessler scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kessler trying to stall but Hope improves his position.

Kessler breaks the clinch.
Kessler misses with a straight left.
A clash of legs there as Kessler blocks the low kick.
Kessler connects with a body shot that sends Hope's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hope's hands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kessler has closed the distance and engaged Hope in a clinch.
Kessler lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kessler can't break the clinch.
Kessler lands a hook that snaps the head of Hope backwards.
Kessler lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hope backwards.

Hope is rocked!
Hope can't find room to land a body shot as Kessler controls the action.
Oh Hope is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A head punch on the inside from Kessler fails to land.
Kessler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hope seems to have got his legs back now.
Hope trying to control the position but instead, Kessler has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hope into the cage.
Hope tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kessler's elbow.
Kessler tries to break the clinch but Hope is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kessler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kessler pushes Hope back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hope is trying to maintain a safe position but Kessler gets an underhook and turns Hope into the cage.
Kessler pushes Hope back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikkel Kessler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Kessler blocks a head kick by Hope.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Kessler gets a clinch.

Kessler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kessler lands a nice looking body shot.
Hope just misses with a punch to the body.
Hope throws a head kick but Kessler moves out of range.
Hope tries to clinch
letting Kessler counter with a right hand.
Mikkel Kessler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kessler misses with a straight right.
Hope throws a hook but Kessler avoids it easily.

Kessler drives through and clinches with Hope against the cage.
Hope tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kessler's elbow.
Hope tries a body shot but Kessler blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hope keeps control of Kessler as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kessler working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kessler throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kessler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kessler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hope goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kessler is trying to break the clinch but Hope has him pressed against the cage.
Kessler tries to land knees in the clinch but Hope avoids the damage to the body.
Kessler throws a punch but it's blocked by Hope.
Hope keeps control of Kessler as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kessler stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kessler wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hope tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hope has a couple of punches blocked by Kessler.
Kessler lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hope misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hope prevents a body shot from Kessler.
Kessler scores with a hook to the body.
Hope looking to slow down the pace here.
Kessler lands a shoulder strike.
Bob Hope has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kessler.
Hope swings wildly with an uppercut but Kessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kessler lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hope swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kessler breaks the clinch.
Hope moves away from the strike by Kessler.
Kessler thuds his right hand into Hope's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hope misses with an uppercut. Kessler saw that one coming.
Kessler cracks Hope with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Kessler darts in and clinches Hope up against the cage.
Hope working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Kessler.
A right hand to the body from Hope.
Hope avoids a wild elbow strike from Kessler.

Hope breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope misses with the combination.
Kessler bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kessler works Hope's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as Kessler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hope doesn't seem phased though.
Kessler lands a right hook to the body.

Kessler rushes Hope and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kessler lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kessler lands a hook that snaps the head of Hope backwards.
Hope working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Kessler breaks from the clinch.
Kessler throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kessler lands with an overhand left.
Hope misses with a head kick.
Kessler throws an overhand right that drops Hope like a sack of potatoes! Kessler dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikkel Kessler!