PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ric Flores (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.

Lopez
vs
Flores

182 cm
18
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

KAISER
Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ric Flores!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flores tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lopez avoids a kick to the body.
Flores throws a series of punches but Lopez avoids them all with ease.
Flores fails with a takedown attempt.
Flores throws the kick towards the body but Lopez avoids it.
Flores scores with a three punch combo!
Flores misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Lopez misses.
Ric Flores seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Flores, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Flores misses with a double jab
and Lopez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Flores has closed the distance and engaged Lopez in a clinch.
Lopez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Flores backwards.
Flores drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Flores blocking some punches.
Flores blocks an uppercut.
Flores has had enough of the clinch but Lopez keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores is trying to break the clinch but Lopez is controlling him.
Flores is trying to break free.
Flores wants to break the clinch but can't.
Flores is trying to pull guard but Lopez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Steve Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ric Flores.
Flores blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lopez throws a head punch that misses.

Flores decides to pull guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Lopez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flores swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lopez throwing strikes but missing.
Flores wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez trying to control the position from guard on top but Flores is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Flores being controlled here, momentarily.
Lopez trying to control but Flores is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Steve Lopez just wasn't active enough.
Flores scores with a one two! Lopez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flores throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lopez.
Lopez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Flores does no damage.
Flores looks winded!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flores wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lopez has him pressed against the cage.
Flores is looking to break free of the clinch but Lopez has double underhooks.
Lopez misses with a punch on the inside.
Flores has had enough of the clinch but Lopez keeps him there for the moment.
Lopez throws a punch but it's blocked by Flores.
Flores blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lopez prevents Flores from breaking the clinch.
Flores working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lopez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Flores wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lopez misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lopez backwards.
Flores trying to stall but Lopez improves his position.
Lopez managing to block the knees to the body from Flores.
Flores blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lopez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws a punch but it's blocked by Flores.
Lopez slows down the pace here.
Flores pushes Lopez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Flores blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lopez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lopez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lopez has Flores pressed against the cage, preventing Flores from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lopez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Flores is keeping busy.
A short right from Lopez on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Flores tries to break free but Lopez pushes him back against the cage.
Lopez throws a head punch that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A shot in the inside from Lopez.
Lopez has Flores pressed against the cage, preventing Flores from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lopez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lopez swings wildly with an uppercut but Flores uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Flores as Lopez tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Flores dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Flores shoots for a takedown but Lopez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Flores throws a chopping leg kick but Lopez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lopez checks the leg kick.
Lopez blocks the body kick.
Lopez avoids the body shot from Flores.

Flores clinches.
Flores is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Flores is trying to break free.
Lopez throws a head punch that misses.
Lopez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steve Lopez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lopez.
Lopez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Flores is trying to force a seperation but Lopez has the dominant position.
Flores tries to circle away but Lopez has him pinned against the cage.
Flores blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez stops a takedown attempt from Flores.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores is trying to pull guard but Lopez has him pressed against the cage.
Steve Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ric Flores.
Lopez has Flores pressed against the cage, preventing Flores from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Flores blocks an uppercut.
Lopez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Flores's efforts to push away.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lopez prevents it.
Flores is breathing heavily.
Flores tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lopez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lopez throws a head punch that misses.
Lopez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Flores blocking some punches.
Lopez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lopez.
Lopez gets through Flores's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Flores is trying to break the clinch but Lopez has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws a punch but it's blocked by Flores.
Lopez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Flores stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lopez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Flores backwards.
Flores takes a shot to the head.
Flores tries to pull guard but Lopez won't allow it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores is looking to break free of the clinch but Lopez has double underhooks.
Flores is trying to break free.
Lopez swings wildly with an uppercut but Flores uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lopez keeps control of Flores as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lopez.

Flores successfully pulls guard.
Lopez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lopez trying to control the position from guard on top but Flores is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Flores looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lopez is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez postures up in Flores's guard and throws a big left but Flores blocks it.
Lopez trying to control but Flores is working from the bottom.
Flores utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lopez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Steve Lopez wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Lopez tries to keep at a distance but Flores has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lopez prevents Flores from breaking the clinch.
Lopez tries to stall but Flores uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Flores lands with a left to the head.
Flores stalling in the clinch but Lopez improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flores is trying to push Lopez away but Lopez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Flores can't break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
Flores is trying to maintain a safe position but Lopez gets an underhook and turns Flores into the cage.
Lopez working aggressively here.
Lopez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lopez working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Flores.

Flores's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lopez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Flores holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lopez misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Lopez fails to land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flores wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lopez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Flores has had enough of the clinch but Lopez keeps him there for the moment.
Lopez working aggressively here.
Lopez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
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 Steve Lopez will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Flores closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lopez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Flores blocking some punches.
Lopez stalling in the clinch but Flores improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lopez.

Flores pulls Lopez into guard.
Lopez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Flores is proving hard to escape from.
Flores keeping moving, preventing Lopez from controlling successfully.
Lopez wants to pass the guard but Flores is keeping the position.
Lopez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Flores is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Flores looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lopez is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Flores shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lopez but Lopez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Flores rushes Lopez and presses him up against the cage.
Flores can't break the clinch.
Flores drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lopez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Flores takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lopez is looking to clinch but Flores is avoiding it.
Steve Lopez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Flores lands a really nice looking cross but Lopez seems unphased.
Flores misses with a leg kick

and Lopez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lopez.

Flores jumps guard and drags Lopez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez passes into half guard.
Lopez tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Lopez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Flores does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lopez wants to get back to his feet.
Lopez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lopez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Flores is looking to control Lopez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Flores avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lopez stands up from half guard.

Flores moves into range and clinches up with Lopez.
Lopez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Flores wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lopez has him pressed against the cage.
Flores blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lopez is trying to maintain a safe position but Flores gets an underhook and turns Lopez into the cage.
Flores blocks an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Flores's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Flores tries to circle away but Lopez has him pinned against the cage.
Flores wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lopez swings wildly with an uppercut but Flores uses good head movement to avoid it.
Flores blocks an uppercut.
Flores is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez prevents a body shot from Flores.
Lopez lands a left hand.
Lopez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Flores is trying to break free.
Lopez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Flores's efforts to push away.
Lopez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lopez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Flores blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lopez working aggressively here.
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!
Lopez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lopez taking a breather.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lopez misses with a short punch on the inside.

Flores breaks the clinch.

Flores has closed the distance and engaged Lopez in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Steve Lopez.
I think Lopez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Lopez!
Steve Lopez took to the mic in his post fight interview and said '"I want to thank my manager, Jeremy Silver, for getting me this fight, for getting me ready for this fight, and for getting me set up after the fight! I got signed to HILITE, baby! I'm comin' for the belt!"'.