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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eiji Kawashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Hopkins has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Eiji Kawashima's chin.
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| 182 cm
27
175 lbs
20 - 3 - 0 |
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185 cm
26
180 lbs
14 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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ADCC Champion
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
20 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eiji Kawashima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawashima looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Hopkins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kawashima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kawashima keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hopkins blocks a head kick by Kawashima.
Hopkins has Kawashima up against the cage in a clinch.
Hopkins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kawashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kawashima thows a body shot but no joy.
Kawashima dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hopkins. That did some damage!
Hopkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kawashima.
Kawashima lands a body shot.
Hopkins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawashima circles away.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Hopkins.
Hopkins takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice sprawl there from Kawashima as Hopkins shoots in.
Hopkins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kawashima's waist but Kawashima gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hopkins off to one side.
Hopkins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hopkins scores with a takedown into Kawashima's guard.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawashima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawashima swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins is looking to work some ground and pound but Kawashima has wrist control.
Hopkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hopkins is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawashima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawashima utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kawashima preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kawashima seems keen to control Hopkins's posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hopkins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Kawashima keeps moving.
Kawashima pulls Hopkins in close to prevent any damage.
Eiji Kawashima has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hopkins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kawashima takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopkins circles away quickly and effectively.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kawashima but Kawashima pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kawashima scores with a hook.
Hopkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Kawashima circles away.
Kawashima lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hopkins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kawashima counters with a one-two to the body.
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 dives in and grabs Kawashima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawashima pushes down on Hopkins's head and hops out.
Hopkins misses with a takedown
and Kawashima counters with a nice body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Kawashima is having none of it.
Hopkins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eiji Kawashima dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kawashima.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kawashima darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hopkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kawashima manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Kawashima sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Eiji Kawashima is winning the standup battle so far.
Hopkins shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Kawashima.
Hopkins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Hopkins.
Hopkins drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kawashima is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kawashima is trying to get back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kawashima can't do much from the bottom here.
Kawashima is looking to regain half guard here but Hopkins keeps moving and retains side control.
Hopkins wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Hopkins happy to just control the position for now.
Hopkins wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Hopkins.
Hopkins wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Hopkins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hopkins misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hopkins misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hopkins working away.
Hopkins tries for a kimura but Kawashima is defending well.
Kawashima sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima is refusing to be controlled, as Hopkins sits in half guard.
Hopkins trying to control the pace.
Kawashima is pressing down on Hopkins's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hopkins trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
Anthony Hopkins has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins stops Kawashima from standing up.
Hopkins stays in close to Kawashima's body and controls the position.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Anthony Hopkins wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hopkins takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kawashima throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Anthony Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kawashima.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Kawashima is avoiding it.
Hopkins fails to land the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawashima waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins.
Kawashima lands a jab to the head.
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 Eiji Kawashima will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kawashima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Hopkins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kawashima just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kawashima was covering up waiting for the punch and Hopkins finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kawashima is trying to control the position but Hopkins postures up.
Kawashima can't keep his opponent in guard - Hopkins advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kawashima is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hopkins tries to pass to full mount but Kawashima defends it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima is doing well to control the position and prevent Hopkins from advancing to side control.
Hopkins is looking to advance position but Kawashima won't allow it.
Kawashima has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hopkins is working away from the top position though.
Hopkins wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Hopkins wants to pass to mount but Kawashima is defending the position.
Kawashima is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kawashima.
Kawashima keeping full guard, as Hopkins tries to pass.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawashima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hopkins wants to clinch.
Kawashima throws a head kick that misses
and Hopkins decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kawashima's guard.
Hopkins scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hopkins sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawashima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins preventing the sweep.
Hopkins showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hopkins trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Anthony Hopkins wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hopkins instigates a clinch.
Kawashima lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
Hopkins is pushing Kawashima up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hopkins fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kawashima avoiding damage as Hopkins throws knees to the body.
Hopkins lands a damaging elbow.
It looks like Eiji Kawashima has been cut.
Hopkins tries to land knees in the clinch but Kawashima avoids the damage to the body.
Kawashima is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage.
Kawashima pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kawashima thows a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins connects with a solid leg kick.
Kawashima misses the shot to the body.
Hopkins moves to clinch but Kawashima breaks away
and Kawashima cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Anthony Hopkins really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eiji Kawashima's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and Kawashima counters with a straight right hand.
Kawashima stuffs the takedown.
Hopkins dives in and grabs Kawashima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawashima pushes down on Hopkins's head and hops out.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Hopkins.
Kawashima throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kawashima misses with a few strikes there.
Hopkins fails to land the takedown.
A left lands for Kawashima.
Hopkins fails to land the takedown.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kawashima as he jumps to the side.
The fighters circling - Kawashima throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hopkins. Hopkins circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawashima moves away.
Kawashima connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice body punch from Kawashima.
Hopkins dives in and grabs Kawashima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawashima pushes down on Hopkins's head and hops out.
Hopkins is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kawashima fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hopkins manages to avoid it.
Kawashima throws out a loose jab but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kawashima misses with an uppercut.
Kawashima throws a head kick that misses.
Hopkins wants to clinch but Kawashima slips to the side
and Kawashima counters with a stiff right hand.
Kawashima pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kawashima is controlling Hopkins's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hopkins wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Hopkins working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kawashima's thigh. Kawashima counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Hopkins tries to free his leg and advance position but Kawashima is retaining full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Kawashima keeps moving.
Hopkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawashima swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kawashima keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Anthony Hopkins.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Kawashima.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima slaps away a takedown attempt from Hopkins, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kawashima connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kawashima ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kawashima as he avoids it easily.
Hopkins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kawashima pinned against the cage. Kawashima gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins dives in and grabs Kawashima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawashima pushes down on Hopkins's head and hops out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eiji Kawashima had his way with Anthony Hopkins in that round.
The cut man is working on Eiji Kawashima's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Kawashima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hopkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kawashima manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kawashima. That's going to slow Hopkins down.
Horrible takedown by Hopkins or perhaps it was just good defense by Kawashima which made him look bad.
Kawashima connects with a high kick.
Kawashima throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopkins shoots in and drives through. Kawashima sprawls well.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Hopkins.
Hopkins avoids the body shot from Kawashima.
Kawashima connects with a leg kick. Hopkins looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kawashima catches Hopkins with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hopkins is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kawashima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Kawashima.
Hopkins takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hopkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kawashima avoids it really well and circles away.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawashima sprawls well. Kawashima wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopkins gets slowly back to his feet.
Kawashima throws a right hand that Hopkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopkins also avoids with ease.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopkins.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins closes the distance and clinches up with Kawashima, looking for a takedown. Hopkins pushes Kawashima against the cage but Kawashima circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kawashima lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kawashima thows a leg kick but Hopkins checks it
and Hopkins counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kawashima holds on and takes a little breather.
Kawashima is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hopkins stopping the sweep attempt from Kawashima.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Kawashima manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kawashima looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hopkins trying to control the position but Kawashima is working away.
Kawashima tries to improve position but can't.
Hopkins looking to control but instead Kawashima has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kawashima does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kawashima manages to get to full guard.
Kawashima preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Eiji Kawashima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawashima bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hopkins's guard.
Anthony Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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.
And that's the end of the fight!
Eiji Kawashima showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kawashima 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 49:47
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eiji Kawashima!
Eiji Kawashima retains his welterweight title!
A very excited looking Eiji Kawashima made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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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
93% |
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