PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nakki Fakiiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fakiiri is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: This One's Gonna Hurt. Vinny Hopkins had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hopkins
vs
Fakiiri

180 cm
24
175 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

182 cm
24
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vinny Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nakki Fakiiri!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fakiiri slips a straight right by Hopkins.
Hopkins checks a leg kick.
Hopkins scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fakiiri checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fakiiri thinks about the counter body kick.
Hopkins lands a lovely overhand right.
Fakiiri lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hopkins will feel that in the morning.
Fakiiri ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fakiiri.
Hopkins checks a leg kick nicely.
Hopkins swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Fakiiri counters with a nice body kick.
Fakiiri slips a jab from Hopkins.
Hopkins looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fakiiri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fakiiri checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hopkins misses with a body punch
and Fakiiri counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hopkins's knee momentarily.
Fakiiri throws a nice head kick!
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!
Fakiiri scores with a leg kick.
Hopkins takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fakiiri scores with a leg kick.
Hopkins checks a low kick from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri throws a wild body kick that Hopkins sees coming a mile off.
Hopkins looks to land a left hand but Fakiiri moved out of range nicely.
Fakiiri looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Fakiiri slips under a jab from Hopkins.
Hopkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fakiiri.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri throws a body kick that misses
and Hopkins counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hopkins tries a head kick but it misses.
Hopkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hopkins 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.
Hopkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fakiiri can pounce on him.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nakki Fakiiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopkins misses with a looping right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fakiiri moves away from the strike by Hopkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a right and a left that Fakiiri avoids nicely.
Hopkins has a takedown stuffed.
Fakiiri flicks out a counter leg kick but Hopkins steps away.
Fakiiri lands a really nice looking cross but Hopkins seems unphased.
Fakiiri connects with a leg kick. Hopkins looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
Hopkins walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fakiiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Fakiiri only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Fakiiri throws a big shot that misses.
Hopkins feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Fakiiri throws a leg kick
and Hopkins counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Fakiiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
A good leg kick by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hopkins. That did some damage!
Hopkins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hopkins with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hopkins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fakiiri tries to move into range but Hopkins moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fakiiri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A combination from Fakiiri does no damage.
Fakiiri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good work by Fakiiri as he checks the leg kick.
Good leg kick by Fakiiri there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hopkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fakiiri looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hopkins avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Hopkins wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Fakiiri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fakiiri throws a leg kick
and Hopkins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fakiiri is looking to land body kicks.
Fakiiri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice uppercut there from Hopkins.
Hopkins connects with a jab.
Nakki Fakiiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fakiiri lands a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri throws a body kick that misses.
Hopkins is looking to counter punch.
Fakiiri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Fakiiri tries to move into range but Hopkins moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hopkins getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hopkins cracks a nice hook into Fakiiri's ribs.
Fakiiri throws a sloppy head kick and Hopkins moves out of range easily.
Fakiiri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hopkins misses with a double jab
and Fakiiri counters with an inside leg kick.
Hopkins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hopkins throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fakiiri counters with a body kick that stops Hopkins in his tracks momentarily.
Hopkins throws a hook to the side of Fakiiri's head but Fakiiri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fakiiri cracks the inside of Hopkins's front leg.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fakiiri moves away.
Hopkins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fakiiri swivels and escapes.
Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fakiiri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nakki Fakiiri will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hopkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice uppercut lands for Fakiiri. That snapped Hopkins's head back.
Fakiiri throws a sloppy head kick
and Hopkins connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Fakiiri.
Hopkins throws a right hand that misses
and Fakiiri counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hopkins's knee momentarily.
Fakiiri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopkins.
A clash of legs there as Hopkins blocks the low kick.
Fakiiri checks a leg kick.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopkins keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hopkins throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fakiiri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fakiiri lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Hopkins might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fakiiri stalks Hopkins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hopkins's face. Hopkins staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fakiiri throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Hopkins to counter with a crisp jab.
Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hopkins was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A lazy body kick from Fakiiri
and Hopkins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Fakiiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Fakiiri is looking to score with low kicks.
A quick step to the side and Hopkins tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fakiiri scores with a nice head shot.
Hopkins will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hopkins has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Fakiiri.
Hopkins misses with a body shot
and Fakiiri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fakiiri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fakiiri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hopkins went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Fakiiri throws a wild body kick that Hopkins sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Hopkins wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hopkins throws a hook to the side of Fakiiri's head but Fakiiri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fakiiri only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A jab from Fakiiri does it's job there.
Hopkins misses with a few strikes there.
Hopkins tests Fakiiri's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fakiiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Fakiiri misses with a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Hopkins on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fakiiri misses with a wild combination.
Fakiiri lands a lovely overhand right.
Hopkins tries to bum rush Fakiiri with a series of wild strikes but Fakiiri uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fakiiri looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Fakiiri thows a leg kick but Hopkins checks it
and Hopkins counters with a right hand to the body.
Fakiiri walks into a stiff left hand from Hopkins.
A jab from Hopkins misses.
Fakiiri turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fakiiri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.
Fakiiri wants to slow Hopkins down by chopping away at his legs.
Fakiiri cracks the inside of Hopkins's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fakiiri throws a head kick that misses.
Hopkins tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hopkins throws out a loose jab but Fakiiri uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fakiiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fakiiri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Fakiiri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hopkins punishes Fakiiri's body with a nice straight punch.
Hopkins's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fakiiri under the eye.
Fakiiri looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hopkins 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.
Hopkins loads up on a big right hand but Fakiiri slips the punch.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Fakiiri manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nakki Fakiiri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopkins stuns Fakiiri with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fakiiri lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hopkins's sensitive parts.
Fakiiri connects with the punch.
Fakiiri slips under a jab.
Hopkins jabs at Fakiiri's body.
Fakiiri throws a low kick, looking for Hopkins's leg but Hopkins calmly moves out of range.
Fakiiri is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Fakiiri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fakiiri looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fakiiri misses with a low kick.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Fakiiri saw that one coming.
Hopkins looks to throw the jab but Fakiiri is out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fakiiri throws a lazy head kick
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fakiiri.
Fakiiri takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nakki Fakiiri will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab, jab by Hopkins - just one landing.
Fakiiri slips a jab from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
Fakiiri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hopkins, right into the meat.
Hopkins misses with a double jab.
Hopkins throws a series of punches but Fakiiri avoids them all with ease.
Hopkins sets himself, and Fakiiri steps forward looking for the clinch! Hopkins avoids it this time.
Hopkins 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.
Hopkins takes a swing at Fakiiri's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins blocks the body kick.
The crowd cheers as Hopkins lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fakiiri doesn't seem phased though.
Hopkins is looking to score with low kicks.
Fakiiri shapes to counter with a head kick.
Fakiiri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.
Fakiiri misses with a body kick.
Hopkins jabs Fakiiri to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fakiiri swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Fakiiri tenderised Hopkins's leg. Hopkins is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fakiiri lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hopkins will feel that in the morning.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Fakiiri sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fakiiri can pounce on him.
Fakiiri connects with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Hopkins misses its intended target.
Fakiiri jabs at Hopkins's body.
Hopkins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Fakiiri is just out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Fakiiri.
Fakiiri scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fakiiri throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hopkins keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Vinny Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Fakiiri paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fakiiri fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Hopkins connects with a body shot that sends Fakiiri's belly button to the back.
Fakiiri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopkins.
Fakiiri lands an overhand right.
Fakiiri cracks the inside of Hopkins's front leg.
Fakiiri looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A counter left hand to the body from Hopkins misses its target.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Fakiiri is just out of range.
Fakiiri wants to counter the offense by Hopkins and move into the clinch position.
Hopkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fakiiri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fakiiri avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinny Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fakiiri lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hopkins on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Fakiiri is looking to slow Hopkins down with leg kicks.
Some wild striking there from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hopkins connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fakiiri scrambles back to his feet.
Hopkins sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Hopkins takes a swing at Fakiiri's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins misses with a body shot
and Fakiiri counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri looks for the body kick but Hopkins saw that one coming.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
Hopkins takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hopkins lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fakiiri cracks Hopkins with a good jab.
Hopkins on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hopkins with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Fakiiri to score with a decent uppercut.
Fakiiri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hopkins's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fakiiri manages to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hopkins.
Fakiiri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fakiiri tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hopkins is able to avoid easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fakiiri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nakki Fakiiri comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fakiiri 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakki Fakiiri!
A very excited looking Nakki Fakiiri made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Vinny Hopkins was interviewed post fight and said 'As always I can do everything through Christ my lord and savior who strengthens me. Without him I wouldn't be here tonight. Don't worry I'll be back.'.