PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hessu Hopo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Karlsson (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.

Hopo
vs
Karlsson

185 cm
26
275 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

188 cm
30
223 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

QFClothing
[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « AJFC↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Hessu Hopo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Karlsson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Karlsson showed some decent athleticism there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Karlsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Karlsson wants to pass the guard but Hopo is defending well.
Hopo gets back to full guard.
Hopo controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hessu Hopo has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Karlsson looks to land a right hand but Hopo moved out of range.
Karlsson misses the jab.
Hessu Hopo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karlsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Karlsson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hopo's guard.
Karlsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hopo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karlsson won't allow Hopo to sweep him here.
Karlsson passes Hopo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hopo is looking to improve his position.

Karlsson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson throwing shots but Hopo is blocking nicely.
Hopo controlling the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Karlsson seems to be working for a kimura but Hopo defends the submission attempt.
Karlsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Karlsson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hopo preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Hopo'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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hopo is holding on to half guard well.
Karlsson passes to side control.
Karlsson misses with the ground and pound.
Hopo is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Karlsson trying to control the position but Hopo is working away.

Karlsson tries for a kimura but Hopo is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson is looking to take a break and control but Hopo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hopo manages to get back to half guard.

Karlsson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hopo sees it coming and defends easily.
Hopo controlling the position for now.
Karlsson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Karlsson is working for a kimura but Hopo is defending it quite comfortably.
Hopo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hopo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hopo is controlling Karlsson's posture.
Karlsson throws an elbow that misses. Hopo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karlsson's guard. Nice move by Hopo!
Hopo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Karlsson keeping moving, preventing Hopo from controlling successfully.
Hopo preventing the sweep.
Hopo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Karlsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopo is one step ahead there.
Hopo postures up and lands a big shot to Karlsson's brow.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Hopo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Karlsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hopo has managed to get both his arms back between Karlsson's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopo with a nice head shot there.
Karlsson has momentary wrist control but Hopo slips an elbow through the middle.
Karlsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hopo is in close to Karlsson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Karlsson keeping moving, preventing Hopo from controlling successfully.
Hopo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karlsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Karlsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hopo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Karlsson is looking for a triangle but Hopo pushes his legs off easily.
Karlsson working a defensive guard here.
Hopo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hopo trying to control but Karlsson is working from the bottom.
Karlsson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hopo!
Karlsson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hopo wants to control but Karlsson is having none of it.
Hopo is squirming around, avoiding Karlsson's attempts to control the action.
Hopo is wriggling around trying to escape.

Karlsson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Hopo to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Hopo shrugs it off.
Hopo is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Hopo is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hopo is working hard here to advance position.
Karlsson unloads with some shots from mount but Hopo bucks and avoids them well.
Karlsson throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Hopo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karlsson with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karlsson manages to capitalize on a mistake by Hopo to take his back!
Hopo is trying to break free.
Hopo holding both Karlsson 's hands and preventing any damage.
Karlsson is landing with strikes. Hopo can't take much more of this.

Karlsson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hopo knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hopo for a finish.
Hopo grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hopo trying to control the position but Karlsson manages to sink in the hooks.

Karlsson looking for the RNC.
Hopo is trying to remain composed but Karlsson is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Hopo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Karlsson punches the canvas rather than the man.
Karlsson is throwing strikes by Hopo counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Hopo regains half guard.
Hopo is trying to maintain the position but Karlsson is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hopo controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimmy Karlsson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hopo throws a jab but it's blocked by Karlsson.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hopo as he jumps to the side.
Hopo looks to land a right hand but Karlsson moved out of range.
Hopo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hopo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Karlsson fails to land the takedown.
Hopo avoids the body shot from Karlsson.
Hopo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Karlsson.
Hopo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Karlsson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Karlsson.
Hessu Hopo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Karlsson.
Hopo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Karlsson blocks a jab.
Hopo connects with a single shot there.
Hopo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hopo throws a looping overhand right but Karlsson ducks down to avoid it.
Karlsson tries for a takedown but Hopo circles away easily
and Hopo counters with a nice uppercut.
Hopo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Karlsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hopo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopo looks to land a left hand but Karlsson moved out of range nicely.
Hopo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karlsson.
Hopo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopo. Karlsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Karlsson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Karlsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Hopo sprawls well. He's pushed Karlsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hopo misses with a looping right.
Hopo throws a hook but Karlsson avoids it easily.
Hopo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopo throws a hook to the side of Karlsson's head but Karlsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hopo throws a hook but Karlsson blocks it.
Karlsson moves out of range as Hopo strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopo lands with a nice combination. Karlsson backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Jimmy Karlsson has been cut.
Hopo throws out a loose jab but Karlsson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Karlsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hopo to the mat! Hopo manages to get full guard.
Karlsson won't allow Hopo to sweep him here.
Hopo wants to stand and escape but Karlsson is having none of it.
Hopo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Karlsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hopo holds on and takes a little breather.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopo keeping moving, preventing Karlsson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karlsson preventing the sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Karlsson scores a takedown into full mount!
Hopo is trying desperately to improve position.

Karlsson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hopo is on top in guard.
Karlsson wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopo wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.
Karlsson looking to control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hopo advances to half guard.
Hopo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karlsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hopo wants to pass the guard but Karlsson is keeping the position.

Hopo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Karlsson is breathing heavily.
Hopo working some strikes from top position.

Karlsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hopo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hopo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Karlsson is trying to keep Hopo in close.
Karlsson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hopo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Karlsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hopo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karlsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Karlsson, not yet.
Hopo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karlsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopo trying to control the position from guard on top but Karlsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopo postures up.
Hopo preventing the sweep.
Karlsson keeping moving, preventing Hopo from controlling successfully.

Hopo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Karlsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson looking for a guillotine here but Hopo defends easily.
Hopo connects with a couple of short punches.
Hopo preventing the sweep.
Hopo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hopo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karlsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jimmy Karlsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karlsson working a defensive guard here.
Hopo won't allow Karlsson to sweep him here.
Hopo wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hessu Hopo.
Hopo takes a swing at Karlsson's ribcage but misses.
Hopo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karlsson.
Karlsson looks to land a left hand but Hopo moved out of range nicely.
Karlsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopo misses with a straight left.
Hopo throws a body punch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Hopo cracks Karlsson with a good jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karlsson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopo tries to avoid it but Karlsson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopo to the ground. Hopo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Karlsson misses with a takedown
and Hopo counters with a stiff right hand.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hopo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hopo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hopo thows a body shot but no joy.
Hopo misses with a few strikes there.
Hopo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Karlsson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopo tries to avoid it but Karlsson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopo to the ground. Hopo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A jab lands there for Hopo.
Hopo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Karlsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopo is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karlsson slips a jab from Hopo.
Karlsson misses with a straight right.
Karlsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Hopo sprawls well. He's pushed Karlsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hessu Hopo showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Hessu Hopo!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Hessu Hopo!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Hessu Hopo!

Hessu Hopo wins by unanimous decision!