PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Trang Troc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Troc might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Dr. Octagon - Real Raw. 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.

Troc
vs
Hopkins

175 cm
40
168 lbs
27 - 14 - 0

180 cm
28
165 lbs
11 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Hellbent

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Trang Troc!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Troc avoids it really well and circles away.
Troc throws a big shot that misses.
Hopkins wants to land a leg kick but Troc is out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands a jab-cross combination.
Troc tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Troc.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Troc circles away.
Trang Troc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Troc is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Hopkins fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Troc.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins takes a swing at Troc's ribcage but misses.
Troc throws a lazy uppercut
and Hopkins counters with a stiff right hand.
Ryan Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Troc takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A low kick from Hopkins misses
and Troc counters with a series of strikes. Hopkins will be more careful next time no doubt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Troc does a little dance to reset his feet.
Troc looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Troc misses with a double jab.
Troc fails to land with a series of punches.
Troc checks a leg kick.
Troc throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hopkins counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hopkins is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Troc rather than just go for the knockout.
Hopkins misses with a body punch
and Troc counters with a low kick, right behind Hopkins 's knee.
Troc takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Troc drops his hands momentarily and Hopkins takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Troc moves out of range of the body kick.
A jab from Troc does it's job there.
Troc throws a leg kick which misses Hopkins's front leg but catches the back leg as Hopkins tries to avoid it.
Troc punishes Hopkins's body with a nice straight punch.
Troc throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hopkins throws a looping overhand right but Troc ducks down to avoid it.
Hopkins throws a nice inside leg kick.
Troc misses with a jab, cross combination.
Troc is looking to clinch but Hopkins is avoiding it.
Hopkins misses with a leg kick.
Troc misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins thows a leg kick but Troc checks it
and Troc counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hopkins's knee momentarily.
Hopkins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hopkins misses with an attempted mid kick.
Troc on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice body kick there by Hopkins.
Troc fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Troc fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hopkins looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Troc saw that one coming.
A big right from Troc misses.
Troc throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hopkins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Troc pinned against the cage. Troc gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Troc takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Troc lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
Troc blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins managing to block the knees to the body from Troc.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Troc's elbow.
Troc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hopkins presses Troc against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hopkins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Troc blocking some punches.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Troc controls the action.
Troc misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hopkins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Trang Troc will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hopkins lands a nice hook to Troc's body. Troc takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hopkins avoids the head kick by Troc.
Hopkins lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Troc checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hopkins jabs Troc right on the nose. Troc blinks but takes it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Troc does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice body punch from Hopkins.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Troc misses its intended target.
Troc connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hopkins's hands.

It looks like Ryan Hopkins has been cut.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Troc sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hopkins scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Hopkins misses its intended target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Troc looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hopkins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Hopkins looking to score a takedown here. Troc is defending well but Hopkins drives through and ends up in Troc's guard.
Troc is pulling down on Hopkins's head to control his posture.
Troc preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hopkins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control but Troc is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Troc lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hopkins throws an off balance right hand
and Troc counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Troc connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Trang Troc is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Troc's calf.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Troc checks a leg kick.
Hopkins checks a low kick from Troc.
Hopkins connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hopkins throws a hook but Troc blocks it.
Hopkins misses with a body shot.
Hopkins throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hopkins lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Troc tries a head kick but it misses.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
Hopkins throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Troc to counter with a crisp jab.
Hopkins goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
No joy there for Hopkins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hopkins, right into the meat.
Hopkins lands with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins shoots in for a double leg but Troc sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hopkins throws a lazy uppercut

and Troc counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins is leaning against Troc and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Troc prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Troc misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Troc lands a nice uppercut.
Troc fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Troc tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hopkins avoids it.
Troc softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Troc has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.
Troc works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Troc misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Hopkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryan Hopkins'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.

A jab from Hopkins misses.
Hopkins thuds his right hand into Troc's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Troc misses with a head kick.

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hopkins sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Troc defending well though.
Hopkins is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Troc reverses the position - he's now on top in Hopkins's guard.
Hopkins trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Troc stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hopkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hopkins wants to sweep here but Troc controlling him for the moment.
Hopkins is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Troc has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Troc throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins swinging wildly here.
Hopkins chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hopkins digs a good body shot into Troc's ribs.
Hopkins works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Troc moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopkins throws a right hand that misses
and Troc counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hopkins thuds a left hand into Troc's body.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
Trang Troc is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopkins tests Troc's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Troc rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hopkins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice cross by Troc.
Troc throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hopkins connects with a looping right hand.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Troc is just out of range.
Troc pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Troc ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Troc keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins looks for a takedown but Troc sprawls well.
Hopkins connects with a looping right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Troc pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Hopkins blocks the leg kick.
Troc defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Troc is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Troc throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Troc takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Hopkins really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Hopkins's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hopkins walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Troc checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hopkins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hopkins throws a jab when Troc was well out of range.
Nice jab there from Hopkins.
Hopkins moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hopkins scores with a leg kick.
Hopkins takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A shot to the liver by Troc. Beautiful body shot.
Hopkins lands with a hook. Troc tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Troc slips under a jab.
Troc misses with a leg kick
and Hopkins counters with a nice low kick that buckles Troc's knee momentarily.
Troc tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a leg kick that knocks Troc off balance momentarily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hopkins.
Troc misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Troc.
Troc uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopkins.
Troc uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.
Hopkins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Troc lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hopkins tries a low kick but Troc avoids it.
Nice cross by Hopkins.
Hopkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Troc was well out of range. Poor timing from Hopkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a leg kick but Troc checks it.
Hopkins throws a leg kick
and Troc counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hopkins throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Troc stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hopkins throws a leg kick that misses.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
Hopkins throws a hook but Troc blocks it.
Troc walks into a straight right hand from Hopkins.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Troc saw that one coming.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Troc moves away.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopkins will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins feints and then cracks Troc's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Troc down.
Troc lands a jab to the head.
Troc's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hopkins connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Troc scrambles back to his feet.
Hopkins throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses
letting Troc counter with a right hand.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Troc moved out of range.
Troc with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Troc looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Troc scores with a hook.
Troc connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Troc.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Troc's head.
Troc goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Hopkins is rocked!
Hopkins will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hopkins is still on wobbly legs! Can Troc finish him?
Troc checks the leg kick.
Troc throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hopkins seems to have recovered his senses.
Hopkins throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins looks to throw the jab but Troc is out of range.
A good leg kick by Troc.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins throws a low kick, looking for Troc's leg but Troc calmly moves out of range.
Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A right-left combo lands from Hopkins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Ryan Hopkins will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ryan Hopkins'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. This is the final round!

Hopkins will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Troc tries to clinch but Hopkins moves away
and Hopkins counters with a stiff right hand.
Troc moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Troc takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice shot by Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a right hand that misses

and Troc counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Troc can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Troc just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hopkins's brow.
Troc misses with the head strike.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Troc's elbow.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins tries to work over Troc's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Troc misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hopkins.
Troc tries a knee to the head but Hopkins blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins lands with a left to the head.
Troc misses with some punches.
Troc blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Troc tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.
Troc can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.
Hopkins lands a body punch.
Troc swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Troc swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Troc can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Troc.
Troc lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Troc avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Troc throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Troc's elbow.
Hopkins misses with a body punch.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Trang Troc has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Troc creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hopkins's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Troc.
Troc throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hopkins blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from Troc.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Troc misses with some punches.
Hopkins misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Troc misses with a body punch.
Troc lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hopkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Troc prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Troc swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Troc.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Troc blocks it.
Hopkins blocks the elbow strike.
Troc putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hopkins in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hopkins is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Troc throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Hopkins tries to work over Troc's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Troc throws a head punch that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Troc just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hopkins's brow.
Nice elbow from Troc.
Troc tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Troc back against the cage.
Troc throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice elbow from Troc.

That has opened up Ryan Hopkins's cut even more.
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!
Troc tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hopkins avoids it.
Troc blocks a body shot from Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Troc controls his hands.
Troc misses with a hook from the clinch.
Troc gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Troc tries a knee to the head but Hopkins blocks it.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Troc misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hopkins avoiding damage as Troc throws knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Hopkins as the two fighters clinch.
Troc tries to land knees in the clinch but Hopkins avoids the damage to the body.
Hopkins lands a body shot.
Troc misses with the head strike.
Troc scores with a shot to the side of Hopkins's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hopkins misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Troc's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Troc.
Hopkins blocking some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trang Troc showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hopkins 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:49
Judge William Peck scores the fight 47:49
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Hopkins!
Ryan Hopkins is the new lightweight champion!
Trang Troc spoke after the fight, saying 'DANG!!!'.