PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Stuart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Hopes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stuart
vs
Hopes

217 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jerry Stuart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Hopes!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Skip Squint and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hopes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hopes trying to control from half guard but Stuart is working away.
Hopes trying to mount his opponent but Stuart defends it.
Hopes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stuart does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hopes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Hopes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stuart doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hopes.
Hopes wants to take a breather but Stuart is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stuart is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stuart knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hopes on the ground.
Ground and pound from Hopes.
Stuart won't allow Hopes to pass to mount.
Hopes trying to control the action but Stuart is working from the bottom.
Stuart wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Hopes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hopes throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Stuart to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hopes wants to control from the top but Stuart keeps moving.
Hopes throws a strike but Stuart rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hopes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hopes has his hands on Stuart's head, controlling the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johnny Hopes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Stuart closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stuart is trying to ground and pound but Hopes uses the momentary lack of control by Stuart to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stuart is trying to control the action in half guard but Hopes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Hopes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hopes tries to roll over but Stuart keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hopes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hopes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hopes 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stuart controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Hopes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hopes misses with the combination.

Hopes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stuart's guard.

Hopes decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stuart, up you get!
Hopes wants to clinch.

Hopes shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hopes was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stuart manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hopes's best efforts.
Hopes thows a huge punch but Stuart dodges it nicely.
Hopes trying to control the action but Stuart is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hopes is looking for a kimura but Stuart is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hopes to get the leverage.
Hopes is nestled in close to Stuart, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hopes is trying to control. Stuart wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Hopes is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stuart sees it coming and defends easily.
Stuart keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stuart looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hopes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stuart does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hopes trying to work for an americana but Stuart has managed to regain full guard.
Hopes throws a strike but Stuart rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stuart wants to control from the top but Hopes keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopes trying to keep a closed guard but Stuart is proving a slippery customer.
Hopes wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopes pulls Stuart in to control the position.
Stuart really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johnny Hopes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Stuart clinches up with Hopes and pushes him back against the cage.

Stuart manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stuart keeping moving, preventing Hopes from controlling successfully.
Hopes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stuart looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hopes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stuart is trying to control the position but Hopes postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stuart avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hopes landing with the ground and pound.

Hopes drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Hopes seems to have locked his on tight now - Stuart screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Hopes, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Johnny Hopes!
After winning the bout, Johnny Hopes thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.