PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Terry Hobbs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Mario (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hobbs
vs
Mario

184 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Terry Hobbs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mario Mario!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hobbs clinches with his opponent.

Hobbs has Mario pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hobbs pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mario tumbling to the mat - Hobbs dives into Mario's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Mario wants to sweep but no luck.

Mario is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mario wants to sweep but no luck.
Mario is still trying to improve position.
Hobbs stays in close to Mario's body and controls the position.
Hobbs will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Mario looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
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!
Hobbs is in close to Mario's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mario trying to control the position.
Hobbs is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Mario escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hobbs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mario manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mario is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hobbs has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hobbs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hobbs has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hobbs is looking to stand up but Mario won't let him.
Mario trying to keep a closed guard but Hobbs is proving a slippery customer.
Hobbs engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hobbs has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hobbs really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Terry Hobbs just wasn't active enough.

Mario gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mario managing to block the knees to the body from Hobbs.

Mario gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mario seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hobbs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hobbs is controlling Mario's trapped leg to prevent Mario from advancing to side control.
Mario wants to take a breather but Hobbs is having none of it.
Hobbs moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Mario drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hobbs dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mario has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hobbs can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mario wants to sweep here but Hobbs controlling him for the moment.
Mario looking to control but Hobbs passes into half guard.
Mario moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hobbs content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hobbs fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mario sprawls well initially but Hobbs persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mario regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mario looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hobbs is one step ahead there.
Mario working a defensive guard but Hobbs passes into half guard.
We've been informed that Mario has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Mario is looking for a sweep. Hobbs is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Still in half guard, Hobbs seems content to control.

Mario looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hobbs stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mario trying to control but Hobbs postures up.
Mario is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hobbs is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mario tries to get to full guard but Hobbs has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs passes into side control, despite Mario's attempt to control the position.
Mario is trying to improve his position.

Hobbs looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mario trying his best to control but Hobbs has mounted him.
Hobbs sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mario is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mario slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mario trying to control here.
Hobbs content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mario wants to control but Hobbs is keeping busy.
Mario won't allow Hobbs to pass to mount.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mario throws a combination. Hobbs tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Hobbs scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hobbs controlling the action here.
Hobbs prevents Mario from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Terry Hobbs dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mario moves into the clinch.
Mario has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Hobbs pulls Mario into guard.

Mario drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hobbs dives on top into guard.

Mario has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hobbs is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mario.
Hobbs controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mario can't do much from the bottom here.
Terry Hobbs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Mario is looking to regain half guard here but Hobbs keeps moving and retains side control.
Mario looking for a sweep but Hobbs has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Hobbs tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mario working to try and regain half guard.
Hobbs controlling the pace for now.
Mario is trying desperately to improve position.
Mario bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mario tries to free his leg and advance position but Hobbs is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hobbs is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hobbs as Mario tries to tie him up.

Hobbs gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Hobbs got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mario has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hobbs has managed to get both his arms back between Mario's legs - danger averted.
Mario is looking to stand up but Hobbs isn't so interested in that idea.
Mario takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mario looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hobbs stopping the sweep attempt from Mario.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hobbs stays in close to Mario's body and controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Terry Hobbs.

Mario clinches up against the cage.

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 Terry Hobbs.
I think Hobbs 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Terry Hobbs!