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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leandro Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigues is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by New Order Blue Monday. 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.
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| 185 cm
25
180 lbs
11 - 1 - 0 |
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175 cm
24
184 lbs
17 - 9 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Hopkins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leandro Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rodrigues counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hopkins fails with the takedown.
Rodrigues missing with a left hand there. Hopkins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hopkins shoots in for a double leg but Rodrigues sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and Rodrigues counters with a left and a right that stings Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt
and Rodrigues counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Anthony Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hopkins counters with a shoot takedown. Rodrigues fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Rodrigues is keeping the position.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Hopkins is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins being controlled here momentarily.
Rodrigues avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hopkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodrigues works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodrigues 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.
Hopkins not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hopkins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodrigues is keeping the position for now.
Hopkins content to stall in guard here.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hopkins doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hopkins thinking.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a big shot that misses.
Rodrigues connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigues shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hopkins shoots in and bounces Rodrigues off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hopkins is working Rodrigues over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Rodrigues is keeping the position.
Rodrigues keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Hopkins is controlling the position.
Rodrigues really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hopkins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is fighting to break Rodrigues's control of his arms but Rodrigues is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hopkins looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Anthony Hopkins just wasn't active enough.
Hopkins with a poor takedown
and Rodrigues cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown. Rodrigues tries to sprawl out of it but Hopkins keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rodrigues manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodrigues defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopkins lands a jab-cross combination.
Rodrigues misses with the combination.
Leandro Rodrigues is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Rodrigues sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rodrigues.
Hopkins blocks a jab.
Hopkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hopkins gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rodrigues counters with a lovely shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins fails to land the takedown.
Rodrigues tries to bum rush Hopkins with a series of wild strikes but Hopkins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Anthony Hopkins will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hopkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Rodrigues is avoiding it.
Hopkins gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rodrigues counters with a two punch combo.
The fighters circling - Rodrigues throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rodrigues throws a right hand that Hopkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopkins also avoids with ease.
Hopkins shoots in but Rodrigues avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rodrigues throws a lazy right hand but Hopkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hopkins shoots in and drives through. Rodrigues sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues tries to keep at a distance but Hopkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hopkins stalls.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants a takedown.
Rodrigues avoids the elbow strike from Hopkins, against the cage.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodrigues's elbow.
Rodrigues has picked Hopkins up - he's going for a ride! Rodrigues dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hopkins is pressing down on Rodrigues's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rodrigues preventing the sweep.
Hopkins is trying to keep Rodrigues in close.
Rodrigues pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hopkins is keeping the position for now.
Rodrigues advances position into side control!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodrigues is trying to ground and pound but Hopkins uses the momentary lack of control by Rodrigues to regain half guard.
Rodrigues misses with a head shot. Hopkins uses the momentum to regain guard.
Rodrigues throws a big right hand that misses.
Rodrigues landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigues accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hopkins wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is trying to keep Rodrigues in close.
Hopkins wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Anthony Hopkins just wasn't active enough.
Rodrigues swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and Rodrigues counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rodrigues did well to prevent Hopkins getting side control.
Hopkins wants to take a breather but Rodrigues is having none of it.
Rodrigues is looking to escape.
Hopkins wants to take a breather but Rodrigues is having none of it.
Hopkins content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rodrigues is looking to escape.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
We're going to have a standup here because Anthony Hopkins wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Rodrigues is avoiding it.
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rodrigues's guard.
Rodrigues has his feet on Hopkins's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hopkins fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rodrigues sprawls well initially but Hopkins persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rodrigues is trying to stand back up but Hopkins is controlling him
Hopkins is pressing down on Rodrigues's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rodrigues is holding on for now.
Hopkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Anthony Hopkins will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Hopkins moves out of range as Rodrigues strikes.
Leandro Rodrigues is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigues avoids it really well and circles away.
Hopkins tries to clinch there but Rodrigues circles away.
Hopkins shoots in for a double leg but Rodrigues sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopkins fails with the takedown
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins misses with a takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rodrigues takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rodrigues sprawls well. Rodrigues wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopkins gets slowly back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues misses with a straight right.
Rodrigues misses with an uppercut.
Rodrigues throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodrigues dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rodrigues scores with a decent looking hook.
Rodrigues looks to land a left hand but Hopkins moved out of range nicely.
Hopkins looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rodrigues wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rodrigues wants to get back to his feet but Hopkins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues pulls Hopkins in close to prevent any damage.
Rodrigues trying to keep a closed guard but Hopkins is proving a slippery customer.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Leandro Rodrigues has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Rodrigues manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hopkins doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigues thows a body shot but no joy.
Rodrigues looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Hopkins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hopkins showed some decent athleticism there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Rodrigues avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hopkins.
Hopkins is pressing down on Rodrigues's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rodrigues is holding on for now.
Hopkins wants to take a breather but Rodrigues is having none of it.
Hopkins prevents Rodrigues from standing back up.
Anthony Hopkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodrigues wants to control but Hopkins is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rodrigues is refusing to be controlled, as Hopkins sits in half guard.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodrigues but Rodrigues pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rodrigues as he jumps to the side.
Rodrigues throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodrigues throws a shot from downtown. Hopkins moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigues shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodrigues connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Leandro Rodrigues really dominated that 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.
Hopkins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hopkins moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hopkins lands a damaging elbow.
It looks like Leandro Rodrigues has been cut.
Hopkins lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hopkins is stalling here.
Hopkins trying to control the position but instead, Rodrigues has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hopkins into the cage.
Hopkins missing with knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins looking to slow down the pace here.
Rodrigues lands a takedown into guard.
Hopkins 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.
Rodrigues scoring with punches to the head and body.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hopkins is on top in guard.
Rodrigues pulls Hopkins in close to prevent any damage.
Rodrigues utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins won't allow Rodrigues to get back to his feet.
Hopkins not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We're going to have a standup here because Anthony Hopkins wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hopkins closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rodrigues's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodrigues is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodrigues looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Rodrigues keeps moving.
Rodrigues is looking to stand up but Hopkins isn't so interested in that idea.
Rodrigues can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hopkins controls the pace.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins won't allow Rodrigues to sweep him here.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Anthony Hopkins just wasn't active enough.
Rodrigues tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodrigues.
Hopkins thuds his shin into the meat of Rodrigues's side.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodrigues defends it nicely.
Hopkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rodrigues manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins slips a jab and a cross from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues gets caught flat footed, as Hopkins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hopkins passes into half guard.
Hopkins trying to mount his opponent but Rodrigues defends it.
Rodrigues is not content to let Hopkins control the position.
Hopkins looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hopkins has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins controlling from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodrigues wants to hold on but Hopkins pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Anthony Hopkins had his way with Leandro Rodrigues in that round.
The cut man is working on Leandro Rodrigues's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Hopkins takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rodrigues lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Rodrigues.
Hopkins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodrigues circles away from the clinch attempt.
No joy there for Rodrigues, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. Rodrigues looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hopkins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rodrigues pinned against the cage. Rodrigues gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins looks for a takedown but Rodrigues sprawls well.
Leandro Rodrigues seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins has Rodrigues up against the cage in a clinch.
Hopkins stops a takedown attempt from Rodrigues.
Hopkins landing knees to the head.
Hopkins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hopkins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodrigues.
Hopkins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hopkins throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hopkins obliges.
Leandro Rodrigues has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues avoids the elbow strike from Hopkins, against the cage.
Hopkins throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hopkins gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodrigues.
Hopkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hopkins gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knees to the body from Hopkins.
Anthony Hopkins has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rodrigues is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hopkins obliges.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hopkins.
Hopkins looks to throw an elbow but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.
Hopkins looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hopkins misses with an elbow strike.
Rodrigues on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rodrigues on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hopkins pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hopkins throws an elbow that misses.
Rodrigues avoiding damage as Hopkins throws knees to the body.
Hopkins has Rodrigues pressed against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control the position but instead, Rodrigues has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hopkins into the cage.
Rodrigues takes an elbow to the temple.
Hopkins creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hopkins throws an elbow but it misses.
Rodrigues being controlled against the cage.
Rodrigues drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hopkins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodrigues in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Hopkins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hopkins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Hopkins!
Anthony Hopkins retains his welterweight title!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
91% |
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