PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Witt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Witt has chosen Animal by Disturbed as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hopkins
vs
Witt

180 cm
28
165 lbs
12 - 2 - 1

165 cm
33
157 lbs
32 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

VIRAL COMBAT
Fury Nutrition Inc.

GREEN!160
Hellbent

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 12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Hopkins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Aaron Witt!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. Witt looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hopkins explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Witt misses with a series of wild punches.
Witt digs a good hook to Hopkins's body.
Witt throws the left hand but Hopkins avoids the punch easily.
Hopkins turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Witt swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Witt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hopkins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Witt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins.
Witt lands a nice shot to the body.
Witt lands a nice hook to Hopkins's body. Hopkins takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hopkins throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins throws a combination that misses

and Witt counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hopkins!
Hopkins takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Witt working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt wants to control but Hopkins is keeping him busy.
Witt connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hopkins some visible discomfort.
Witt wants to control but Hopkins is keeping him busy.
Hopkins is looking for a sweep.
Witt lands a decent elbow from side control.
Hopkins's coaches at Riddum Elite have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Witt working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hopkins gets back to half guard.

Witt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins taking some punishment here, with Witt in his half guard.
Hopkins is doing well to control the position and prevent Witt from advancing to side control.
Witt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Witt is trying to control the action in half guard but Hopkins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hopkins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Witt.
Witt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hopkins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hopkins wants to improve his position but Witt is controlling well.
Witt is keen to just control but Hopkins is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins wants to control but Witt is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hopkins slips under a jab from Witt.
Hopkins scoring well with a low kick there.
Hopkins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some bone on bone action there as Witt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hopkins takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Witt looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
Witt swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Witt throws a hook but Hopkins avoids it easily.
Witt drops his hands momentarily and Hopkins takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hopkins. That's going to slow Witt down.
A low kick from Hopkins is predictable there

and Witt counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hopkins!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Witt working away.
Hopkins tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is squirming around, avoiding Witt's attempts to control the action.
Hopkins tries to reverse the position but Witt maintains control.
Hopkins tries to hold on but Witt postures up.
Hopkins is trying to escape the mount.
Witt with a couple of short strikes.
Hopkins is working to get back to half guard.
Hopkins is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hopkins misses with a low kick.
Witt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hopkins rather than just go for the knockout.
Witt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopkins.
Hopkins avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopkins is defended easily by Witt.
Witt bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hopkins throws a head kick that misses.
Hopkins misses with a head kick.
Witt lands with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins moves out of range as Witt strikes.
Nice shot lands for Witt.
Hopkins displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Witt throws out the jab.
Hopkins throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Witt shoots in for a double leg but Hopkins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Witt checks a leg kick.
Hopkins checks a leg kick.
Witt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hopkins looks for a takedown but Witt sprawls well.
Ryan Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Witt connects with a body shot.
Witt connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Witt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins.
Witt loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch.
Hopkins moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Witt or perhaps it was just good defense by Hopkins, which made it look bad.
Witt checks a leg kick.
Witt stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hopkins.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Witt sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Witt checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hopkins. That's going to slow Witt down.
Some bone on bone action there as Witt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Witt scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Witt checks a leg kick.
Hopkins throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Witt's head.
Some bone on bone action there as Witt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Witt misses with a body shot.
Hopkins throws a low kick but Witt avoids it.
Witt pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hopkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Witt throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hopkins misses with a low kick as Witt jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Witt is just out of range.

Witt closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Witt lands in his opponent's guard.
Hopkins has Witt pulled in close to control his posture.
Witt stopping the sweep attempt from Hopkins.
Witt trying to control but Hopkins is working from the bottom.
Witt throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopkins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hopkins will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Witt wants to control from the top but Hopkins keeps moving.
Hopkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Witt looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Hopkins tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Witt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopkins pinned against the cage. Hopkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Witt looks to land a left hand but Hopkins moved out of range nicely.
Witt keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hopkins is looking to chop away at Witt's legs.
Hopkins jabs Witt to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hopkins defending well as Witt loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Witt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hopkins throws a sloppy head kick

and Witt counters with a single leg into guard. Hopkins didn't expect that.
Hopkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Witt throws a big right hand that misses.
Hopkins bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Witt's guard.

Hopkins won't allow Witt to sweep him here.
Witt keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
Witt working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins won't allow Witt to sweep him here.

Witt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins passes into half guard.
Witt tries to roll over but Hopkins keeps him under control.
Hopkins not doing much here.
Witt gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hopkins trying to control but Witt is working from the bottom.
Witt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Witt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hopkins.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Witt lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hopkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Witt connects with a leg kick. Hopkins looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Witt keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Witt lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt checks a leg kick.
Witt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Witt walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hopkins.
Witt stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hopkins.
Hopkins wants to slow Witt down by chopping away at his legs.
Hopkins takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Witt shoots in for a takedown but Hopkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Witt swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hopkins throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Witt lands a right hook to the body.

Hopkins manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Witt on his heels. He'll look to pass Witt's guard now, I'm sure.
Witt is trying to keep Hopkins in close.
Witt tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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 wants to control from the top but Witt keeps moving.
Hopkins is really struggling to control Witt but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hopkins controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Witt keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Aaron Witt just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Witt takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses.
Witt takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Witt scores with a body shot.

Hopkins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hopkins showed some decent athleticism there.
Hopkins tries to pass the half guard into mount. Witt knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Witt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Witt on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control from half guard but Witt is working away.
Hopkins is taking a breather. Witt says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Witt trying to control from the bottom.
Hopkins trying to control the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hopkins swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Witt counters with a takedown into side control.
Hopkins is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Hopkins tries to buck Witt off but Witt is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hopkins tries to buck Witt off but Witt is having none of it.
Witt lands a nice forearm strike.
Witt scoring with punches and elbows.
An elbow from Witt crashes against the mat.
Witt is chipping away with strikes.
Hopkins is looking to reverse the position.
Hopkins can't do much from the bottom here.
Hopkins is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt is looking to take a break and control but Hopkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Witt might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hopkins haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hopkins manages to work his way to half guard, despite Witt's best efforts.
Hopkins trying to control from the bottom.
Witt is looking to take a break and control but Hopkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hopkins keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Witt smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopkins does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A telegraphed right hand from Witt misses the target.
Hopkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Witt's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A telegraphed right hand from Witt misses the target.
Hopkins digs a good body shot into Witt's ribs.
Witt scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopkins looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hopkins stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hopkins throws a solid leg kick but Witt takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hopkins.
Witt throws a hook to the side of Hopkins's head but Hopkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Aaron Witt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hopkins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Witt throws an overhand right that lands on Hopkins's shoulder, as Hopkins tries to avoid the shot.
Hopkins dodges the punch combination from Witt.
Witt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hopkins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hopkins is looking to slow Witt down with leg kicks.
Hopkins staying out of range there.
Witt misses with a wild body shot.
Witt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Hopkins misses with a low kick as Witt jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins misses with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hopkins.
Hopkins is looking to land body kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hopkins, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt misses with an uppercut. Hopkins saw that one coming.
Hopkins swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hopkins takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Witt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Witt throws a leg kick which misses Hopkins's front leg but catches the back leg as Hopkins tries to avoid it.
Hopkins misses with a body shot.
Witt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
No luck for Witt with that takedown attempt.
Witt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Witt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins misses with a leg kick.

Witt gets caught flat footed, as Hopkins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt trying to keep a closed guard but Hopkins is proving a slippery customer.
Hopkins cracks Witt with a solid left hand.
Witt working a defensive guard here.
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!
Witt keeping full guard, as Hopkins tries to pass.
Hopkins throwing strikes from guard but Witt blocks nicely.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ryan Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Witt misses with the combination.

Witt scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hopkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Aaron Witt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A lull in the action here as Witt stalls from top position.
Hopkins is trying to control Witt's posture but Witt avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins seems a little lost for a moment, as Witt dominates the positioning.
Hopkins can't do much from the bottom here.
Hopkins manages to get back to half guard.
Witt wants to take a breather but Hopkins is having none of it.
Witt perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Witt throws a big shot that misses.

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 Ryan Hopkins.
Well Witt has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:50
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:49
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Witt!
Aaron Witt is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Aaron Witt thanked Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).