PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Victor Gapuz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Benjamin Hopkins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gapuz
vs
Hopkins

225 cm
23
300 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

198 cm
23
299 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Victor Gapuz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benjamin Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gapuz blocks a jab.
Gapuz misses with a double jab.
Gapuz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hopkins displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gapuz throws out the jab.
Gapuz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Benjamin Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Hopkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short left from Hopkins.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Hopkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gapuz can't get the takedown.
Gapuz is breathing heavily.
Hopkins lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Hopkins.
Gapuz takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Hopkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hopkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gapuz dodges an elbow strike from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hopkins gets through Gapuz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Hopkins lands a big uppercut and Gapuz is down! He's in big trouble - Hopkins follows him to the mat!

Gapuz is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gapuz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Oh Gapuz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hopkins drops an elbow to the side of Gapuz's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hopkins connects with a nice short shot to Gapuz's temple.
Gapuz seems to have got his legs back now.
Hopkins is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gapuz taking some punishment here, with Hopkins in his half guard.

Hopkins decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Gapuz tries to keep at a distance but Hopkins has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hopkins breaks from the clinch.
Hopkins smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopkins throws a good cross that connects.
Hopkins looks to land a combination. Gapuz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hopkins throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gapuz on the side of the head.
Gapuz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Hopkins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gapuz, pushing him back against the cage.
Hopkins lands with a left to the head.

Gapuz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice defenses there by Gapuz.
Some wild striking there from Hopkins.
Hopkins throws an overhand right that lands on Gapuz's shoulder, as Gapuz tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hopkins dodges the punch combination from Gapuz.

Hopkins clinches with his opponent.
Hopkins looking for a takedown.

Gapuz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopkins getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hopkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gapuz can pounce on him.
Gapuz throws a nice head kick!

Hopkins moves into range and clinches up with Gapuz.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Gapuz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gapuz can't break the clinch.
Gapuz wants to stall.
Hopkins creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Gapuz manages to break the clinch.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Gapuz circles away and keeps his distance.
Gapuz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gapuz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hopkins.
Hopkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gapuz defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Hopkins 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.
Gapuz swats away the attempt to clinch by Hopkins.
Hopkins has a takedown stuffed.
Hopkins tries to clinch up.
Gapuz misses with a head kick.
Gapuz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gapuz there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gapuz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Victor Gapuz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gapuz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hopkins connects with a crisp jab.

Hopkins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gapuz tries to pull guard but Hopkins won't allow it.
Hopkins is looking to control Gapuz's arms but Gapuz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hopkins has his back to the cage.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopkins lands a left hand.

That's four 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.
Still in the clinch, Gapuz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gapuz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hopkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Gapuz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gapuz is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hopkins.
Gapuz blocking some punches.
Hopkins lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Gapuz breaks from the clinch.
Gapuz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gapuz looks to land a combination but Hopkins avoids it well.
Hopkins wants to clinch.
Hopkins takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gapuz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gapuz throws a combination. Hopkins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hopkins cracks Gapuz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hopkins moves into the clinch successfully.
Hopkins keeps control of Gapuz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hopkins lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Hopkins dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gapuz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Hopkins has Gapuz up against the cage in a clinch.
Hopkins pushes Gapuz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hopkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hopkins scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the side of Gapuz's head.
Hopkins scores with a shoulder strike.
Gapuz has had enough of the clinch but Hopkins keeps him there for the moment.
Hopkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Gapuz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Hopkins on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Hopkins scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gapuz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hopkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gapuz. Gapuz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gapuz thows a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins misses with a few strikes there.

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.

Gapuz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hopkins uses from the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Gapuz is working an open guard so Hopkins takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gapuz swats away the attempt to clinch by Hopkins.
Hopkins fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hopkins clinches.
Hopkins keeps control of Gapuz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hopkins has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A short right from Hopkins.
Gapuz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hopkins lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Gapuz can't break the clinch.

Gapuz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopkins tries to clinch up.
Gapuz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.
Hopkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gapuz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gapuz swinging wilding here.

Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz blocks an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Hopkins lands a damaging elbow.
Gapuz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hopkins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hopkins lands with a right to the head.
Gapuz tries to pull guard but Hopkins won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Gapuz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gapuz has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hopkins clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Hopkins is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Gapuz is hanging on to Hopkins's back as he tries to escape.
Hopkins tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Hopkins is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gapuz get's back to his feet.
Hopkins throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Gapuz is avoiding it.
Hopkins sizes up Gapuz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gapuz misses with a wild combination.
Gapuz keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopkins throws an overhand right that lands on Gapuz's shoulder, as Gapuz tries to avoid the shot.
Victor Gapuz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopkins has a takedown stuffed.
Hopkins misses with a hook. Gapuz ducked under it nicely.
Gapuz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Gapuz moves out of range.
Gapuz throws a head kick that misses.

Hopkins takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a nice uppercut.
Hopkins is leaning against Gapuz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hopkins lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hopkins lands an uppercut.
Hopkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gapuz wants to break the clinch but can't.

Gapuz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Gapuz avoids a wild elbow strike from Hopkins.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hopkins just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gapuz's brow.
Hopkins lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Hopkins lands a left hand.
Gapuz takes a shot to the head.
Hopkins works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hopkins lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hopkins is working Gapuz over against the cage.
Gapuz tries to land a knee to the head but Hopkins blocks with his arms.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hopkins creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Hopkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gapuz throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hopkins fails to land the takedown.
Hopkins is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Hopkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gapuz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A left and a right from Gapuz both land. Nice combination.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Gapuz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A nice left hand lands by Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hopkins.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gapuz.
Hopkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the side of Gapuz's head.

Gapuz breaks the clinch.
Hopkins is looking to clinch but Gapuz is avoiding it.
Hopkins throws a low kick, looking for Gapuz's leg but Gapuz calmly moves out of range.

Hopkins clinches with his opponent.
Hopkins is looking to control Gapuz's arms but Gapuz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hopkins has his back to the cage.

Hopkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Gapuz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Gapuz circles away and keeps his distance.
Gapuz slips under a jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hopkins gets a clinch.
Hopkins scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Gapuz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gapuz swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Gapuz circles away and keeps his distance.
A combination from Gapuz does no damage.
Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A combination from Gapuz does no damage.
Gapuz misses with a wild combination.
Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gapuz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.
Gapuz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hopkins moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hopkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Gapuz circles away.

Hopkins has taken the fight to the clinch.

Gapuz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hopkins uses from the top position.
Hopkins passes Gapuz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hopkins not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Hopkins gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz throws a head kick but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Gapuz moves out of range.
Gapuz lands a head kick. Hopkins smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gapuz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hopkins in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hopkins in side control lands a decent elbow.

Hopkins decides to stand back up. Hopkins steps back and let's Gapuz get back to his feet.
Hopkins avoids the head kick by Gapuz.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Hopkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Hopkins gets through Gapuz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.

Gapuz breaks the clinch.
Hopkins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Gapuz moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hopkins darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz misses with a double jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hopkins darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hopkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Gapuz circles away.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Gapuz is having none of it.

Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gapuz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hopkins scores with a couple of short elbows.

Hopkins stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hopkins gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Hopkins forces Gapuz back against the cage and clinches.
Hopkins lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hopkins is working Gapuz over against the cage.
Hopkins lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gapuz backwards.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gapuz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hopkins smiles and moves away.
Gapuz ducks right into an uppercut from Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins wants to clinch.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Gapuz moved out of range.
Some wild striking there from Gapuz.
Hopkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Gapuz circles away.
Hopkins misses with the body kick
and Gapuz counters with a left and a right that stings Hopkins.
Gapuz walks into a stiff left hand from Hopkins.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Gapuz moves away
and Gapuz counters with a nice body shot.
Hopkins looks to land a left hand but Gapuz moved out of range nicely.
Gapuz lunges at Hopkins with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hopkins's hand.
Hopkins misses with a double jab.
Gapuz slips under a jab from Hopkins.
Gapuz throws a nice looking combination but Hopkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hopkins gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins scoring with punches and elbows.
Victor Gapuz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benjamin Hopkins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Hopkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hopkins 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Hopkins!