PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jari Harrikari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harrikari has chosen Tool - Forty Six & 2 as his entrance music. Malcolm Hopkins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopkins
vs
Harrikari

180 cm
28
190 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

193 cm
28
199 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Malcolm Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Jari Harrikari!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Harrikari tries to clinch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Harrikari.
Harrikari fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harrikari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hopkins walks into a straight right hand from Harrikari.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Harrikari.
Hopkins throws an off balance right hand
and Harrikari counters with a nice leg kick.
Harrikari throws a jab when Hopkins was well out of range.
Hopkins looks for a takedown but Harrikari sprawls well.
Hopkins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harrikari.
Some wild striking there from Hopkins.
Hopkins defending well as Harrikari loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrikari jabs at Hopkins's body.
Jari Harrikari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harrikari throws a sloppy head kick and Hopkins moves out of range easily.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hopkins lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Harrikari circles away quickly and effectively.
Harrikari tries a head kick but it misses.
Harrikari throws a sloppy head kick and Hopkins moves out of range easily.
Harrikari lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hopkins takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Harrikari throws a nice outside leg kick.

Hopkins scores with a takedown into Harrikari's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hopkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hopkins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Harrikari's head.
Hopkins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopkins controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Harrikari looking for a sweep. Not yet Harrikari, not yet.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Harrikari is keeping the position.
Harrikari looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harrikari has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hopkins off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Harrikari moves out of range.
Hopkins looks to land a left hand but Harrikari moved out of range nicely.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
Harrikari bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Harrikari misses with a body kick.
Jari Harrikari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice body punch from Hopkins.
A cross from Harrikari lands.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrikari takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Hopkins shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harrikari's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkinsis looking to pass into half guard but Harrikari pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Harrikari is in guard.
Hopkins controls Harrikari momentarily but Harrikari frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harrikari works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Harrikari stands up from half guard.
Nice sprawl there from Harrikari as Hopkins shoots in.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harrikari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A clash of legs there as Hopkins blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Harrikari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hopkins takes a kick to the side of the head.
Harrikari is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopkins throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Harrikari counters with a leg kick.
Jari Harrikari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopkins takes a swing at Harrikari's ribcage but misses.
Harrikari slips a straight right by Hopkins.
Harrikari doesn't manage to clinch there - Hopkins circles away.
Harrikari cracks a nice hook into Hopkins's ribs.
Harrikari chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hopkins blocks a leg kick.
Hopkins takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hopkins throws a jab when Harrikari was well out of range.
Hopkins connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrikari wants to improve his position but Hopkins is controlling well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hopkins is looking to take a break and control but Harrikari is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Hopkins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Harrikari has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hopkins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Harrikari does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins seems to be working for a kimura but Harrikari defends the submission attempt.
Malcolm Hopkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harrikari wants to get back to his feet.
Hopkins thows a huge punch but Harrikari dodges it nicely.
Harrikari won't allow Hopkins to pass to mount.

Harrikari makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Danga de danga de dang - Harrikari scores with a four punch combination!
Harrikari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hopkins there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Harrikari misses with a body kick.
Hopkins throws a low kick but it's checked well by Harrikari.
Harrikari misses the jab.
Hopkins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Harrikari takes one to the chin there.
Harrikari cracks the inside of Hopkins's front leg.
Harrikari uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.
Harrikari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harrikari throws the left hand but Hopkins avoids the punch easily.
Harrikari blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harrikari motions for Hopkins to come forward. Harrikari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Harrikari swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins slips a straight right by Harrikari.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Harrikari moves away.
Hopkins has a takedown stuffed.

Harrikari has closed the distance and engaged Hopkins in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harrikari misses with a body punch.
Harrikari putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hopkins in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Harrikari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hopkins misses with a hook.
A jab from Harrikari misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Harrikari checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Harrikari has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A jab from Hopkins misses.
Hopkins takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hopkins is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Harrikari's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Harrikari finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Good exchange - Harrikari coming out on top.
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopkins gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Harrikari.
Hopkins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hopkins takes a kick to the side of the head.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Harrikari. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Hopkins takes a swing at Harrikari's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hopkins shoots for a takedown but Harrikari saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Harrikari throws a wild body kick that Hopkins sees coming a mile off.
Harrikari defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Hopkins takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Harrikari will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hopkins throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hopkins blocks the body kick.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harrikari sprawls well. Harrikari wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopkins gets slowly back to his feet.
Harrikari scores with a sloppy right hand. Hopkins should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Harrikari throws a solid leg kick but Hopkins takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Harrikari.
Harrikari throws a sloppy head kick and Hopkins moves out of range easily.
Harrikari fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hopkins has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hopkins checks a leg kick.
Hopkins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Harrikari throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins closes the distance and clinches up with Harrikari, looking for a takedown. Hopkins pushes Harrikari against the cage but Harrikari circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malcolm Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harrikari throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hopkins throws a sloppy body shot
and Harrikari counters with an inside leg kick.
Jari Harrikari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harrikari throws a head kick but Hopkins moves out of range.
Harrikari throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Harrikari scores with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harrikari throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Harrikari with a hook.
Harrikari looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hopkins has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Harrikari.
Hopkins moves out of range of the body kick.
Hopkins will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hopkins slips a jab and a cross from Harrikari.
Harrikari moves away from the strike by Hopkins.
Harrikari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hopkins's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws an off balance right hand
and Harrikari counters with a low kick, right behind Hopkins 's knee.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Harrikari moves out of range.
Malcolm Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopkins throws a right and a left that both miss.
Harrikari fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Harrikari throws a head kick but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Harrikari moved out of range.
Hopkins has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hopkins there as he acknowledges the shot.
Harrikari thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hopkins if he has to take too many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harrikari moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopkins has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hopkins there as he acknowledges the shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Harrikari.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jari Harrikari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Harrikari winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jari Harrikari!
Jari Harrikari was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.