PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jones Zica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zica has chosen Master of Puppets by Metallica as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hopkins
vs
Zica

180 cm
26
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
37
162 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jones Zica!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zica listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Zica. Those never looked like landing.
Hopkins throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hopkins takes a swing at Zica's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zica is able to avoid easily.
A big right from Zica misses.
Zica misses with a two punch combination.
Zica lands with an uppercut that bounces Hopkins off the cage and back into range.
Jones Zica seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zica loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch.
Zica works over Hopkins's head and body with a nice combination.
Zica darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've been hearing reports that Hopkins has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Zica sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zica avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Hopkins drops his hands momentarily and Zica takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Zica checks a leg kick.
Zica takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hopkins moves away from the strike by Zica.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a low kick.
Hopkins gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zica displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hopkins throws a front kick aimed at Zica's knee but Zica avoids it well.
Zica lands a really nice looking cross but Hopkins seems unphased.
Hopkins scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hopkins takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hopkins misses with a head kick.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hopkins.
Zica misses with an uppercut
and Hopkins counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zica's knee momentarily.
Hopkins connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zica. Zica circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zica lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zica just misses with a punch to the body.
We've been informed that Zica has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Zica might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hopkins attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a body shot.
Zica throws an overhand right that lands on Hopkins's shoulder, as Hopkins tries to avoid the shot.
Zica checks a leg kick nicely.
Zica checks the leg kick.
Hopkins takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zica lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zica waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zica.
Zica is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hopkins had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zica looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zica throws a nice looking combination but Hopkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopkins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A shot to the liver by Hopkins. Beautiful body shot.
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zica misses with a double jab.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Zica saw that one coming.
Zica checks a leg kick.
Zica blocks a low kick nicely.
Hopkins lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zica's sensitive parts.
Zica paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hopkins moves out of range as Zica strikes.
Zica wants to clinch up but Hopkins keeps it at a distance.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Zica moved out of range.
Hopkins lands a head shot.
Zica misses with a wild combination.
Hopkins's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zica connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hopkins scrambles back to his feet.
Zica avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zica blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tried to score with a low kick but Zica checks it.
Hopkins will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a nice jab.
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!
Zica tries to clinch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hopkins misses with a lunging right hand

so Zica counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zica trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins wants to sweep here but Zica controlling him for the moment.
Zica sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hopkins has Zica pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jones Zica will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hopkins shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zica. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zica scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins tries a low kick but Zica avoids it.
A clash of legs there as Zica blocks the low kick.
Zica misses with a right hand
and Hopkins counters with a one-two to the body.
Zica moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zica swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zica wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zica lands a head shot.
Hopkins tries to work over Zica's front leg with a kick but Zica checks it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hopkins lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zica has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zica and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zica tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hopkins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hopkins lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Jones Zica has been cut.
A clash of legs there as Zica blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins walks into a jab.
Hopkins connects with a solid leg kick.
Hopkins throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ryan Hopkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Zica cracks Hopkins with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zica keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Zica misses with a straight left.
Zica lands with an overhand left.
A left and a right from Hopkins both land. Nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopkins looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zica avoids the head kick by Hopkins.
Zica keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zica. That did some damage!
Hopkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zica.
Hopkins throws a low kick but Zica avoids it.
Hopkins tries to land a front kick but Zica steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hopkins, as that shot connected.
Hopkins goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hopkins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hopkins turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hopkins.
Zica scores with a jab.
Nice body punch from Hopkins.
Zica moves out of range of the body kick from Hopkins.
A telegraphed right hand from Zica misses the target.
Hopkins tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins misses with a jab to the body

and Zica counters with a shoot takedown. Hopkins fights it but they end up in guard.
Zica stopping the sweep attempt from Hopkins.
Zica trying to control but Hopkins is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to keep a closed guard but Zica is proving a slippery customer.
Zica engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hopkins utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zica is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Jones Zica has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hopkins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hopkins ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zica uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hopkins!
Hopkins moves away from the strike by Zica.
Hopkins throws a lazy right hand but Zica sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zica's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A low kick from Hopkins is predictable there

and Zica counters with a shoot takedown. Hopkins fights it but they end up in guard.
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 not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hopkins trying to control the position here.
Zica preventing the sweep.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zica wants to control from the top but Hopkins keeps moving.
Jones Zica has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zica not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Hopkins dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jones Zica's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hopkins lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hopkins scores with a punch to the head.
Zica tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hopkins slips a straight right by Zica.
Zica swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Zica blocks a low kick nicely.
Zica getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hopkins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Good work by Zica as he checks the leg kick.
Zica tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hopkins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopkins takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hopkins chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hopkins swinging wildly here.
Zica closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zica works Hopkins's body with a nice hook.
Zica moves out of range of the leg kick from Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a leg kick

so Zica counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zica stopping the sweep attempt from Hopkins.
Hopkins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zica manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zica working a defensive guard here.
Zica is pulling down on Hopkins's head. It's preventing any offense from Hopkins, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zica looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Zica's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jones Zica wasn't active enough on the ground.
A big left from Zica misses.
Hopkins connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zica. Zica circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zica waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins.
Zica misses the jab.
Nice defenses there by Hopkins.
A head kick misses from Hopkins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zica wants to clinch up but Hopkins keeps it at a distance.
Zica is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hopkins bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses

so Zica counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hopkins managing to control the position.
Zica loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zica content to stall in guard here.
Hopkins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zica manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hopkins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hopkins misses with a low kick.
Hopkins cracks the inside of Zica's front leg.
Zica scores with a nice right hand.
Zica jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice cross by Zica.
Zica fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zica connects with a looping right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jones Zica.
I think Zica has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!