PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Monteban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Monteban
vs
Hopkins

165 cm
26
165 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
167 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricardo Monteban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vinny Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins cracks Monteban with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hopkins fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vinny Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Monteban gets a double leg takedown into Hopkins's guard.
Monteban forces his way into half guard.
Monteban throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hopkins is looking to control Monteban's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hopkins avoid being mounted?

Monteban is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hopkins is just riding it out for now. Monteban eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monteban is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteban trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hopkins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Monteban drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Monteban jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Monteban from controlling successfully.
Monteban showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Monteban tries to free his leg and advance position but Hopkins is retaining full guard.
Hopkins is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Monteban swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Monteban back to the cage. Hopkins follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hopkins misses with a wild combination.
Hopkins tries to bum rush Monteban with a series of wild strikes but Monteban uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Hopkins. No joy for Monteban on that attempt.

Monteban closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Monteban seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hopkins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monteban wants to free his trapped foot but Hopkins is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hopkins is looking to improve his position.
Hopkins is not content to let Monteban control the position.
Hopkins wants to improve his position but Monteban is controlling well.
Monteban is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Monteban slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monteban tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hopkins is not content to let Monteban control the position.
Monteban throws an elbow but Hopkins slips to the side and avoids it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopkins sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
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 Ricardo Monteban will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hopkins, right into the meat.
Monteban throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hopkins stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Monteban tries for a takedown but Hopkins circles away easily
and Hopkins counters with a nice uppercut.
Hopkins throws a shot from downtown. Monteban moves away and avoids it.
Monteban jabs Hopkins to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Monteban digs a good body shot into Hopkins's ribs.

Hopkins has managed to clinch.
Hopkins working aggressively here.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins throws a punch but it's blocked by Monteban.
Hopkins lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Monteban backwards.
Hopkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Monteban blocks it.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the side of Monteban's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Monteban.
Monteban is pushing Hopkins up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Monteban working hard to break the clinch.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
Monteban prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hopkins can't break the clinch.
Monteban fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monteban's elbow.
Monteban blocking some punches.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Hopkins pushes Monteban back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Hopkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vinny Hopkins seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monteban shoots in for a takedown but Hopkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Monteban. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hopkins misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Hopkins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Monteban shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopkins unleashes a big counter combination but Monteban bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Hopkins scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Left hook, right uppercut from Hopkins.
Nice sprawl there from Monteban as Hopkins shoots in.
Monteban throws a body shot but no joy.
Monteban looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hopkins is fending him off so far but Monteban persists. Nope, Hopkins circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Monteban takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Monteban shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Monteban showed some decent athleticism there.
Ricardo Monteban overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hopkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monteban looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Monteban seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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.
Hopkins is trying to get back to full guard.
Monteban throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hopkins tries to roll over but Monteban keeps him under control.
Hopkins is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hopkins is not content to let Monteban control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny 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!

Good exchange - Hopkins coming out on top.
Monteban shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monteban swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Monteban connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hopkins. Hopkins circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hopkins lands with a nice combination. Monteban backs away looking to recover.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monteban.
Hopkins throws the left hand but Monteban avoids the punch easily.
Monteban fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins throws a left and a right that both miss

and Monteban counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Monteban.
Monteban tries to free his leg and advance position but Hopkins is retaining full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Monteban from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monteban passes Hopkins's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hopkins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hopkins keeping full guard, as Monteban tries to pass.
Monteban postures up.
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Monteban from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hopkins is trying to control the position but Monteban postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Monteban uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.
Hopkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Monteban shoots and misses
and Hopkins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Monteban. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopkins lands a body shot.
Monteban stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hopkins.
Hopkins scores with a nice head shot.
Monteban ducks right into an uppercut from Hopkins.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Monteban.
Hopkins works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Monteban swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hopkins! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Monteban swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Monteban doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vinny Hopkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopkins misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters circling - Hopkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A quick step to the side and Monteban tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monteban misses with an uppercut.
It seemed like Hopkins was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hopkins misses with a double jab.
Hopkins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Monteban changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hopkins tries to bum rush Monteban with a series of wild strikes but Monteban uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A quick step to the side and Monteban tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monteban looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hopkins stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hopkins wants it to stay on the feet.
Monteban shoots for a double leg takedown but Hopkins sprawls well. He's pushed Monteban's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Monteban throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with the combination.
Monteban tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Monteban.
Monteban is looking to wear down Hopkins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hopkins lands a nice shot that snaps Monteban's head back.
Hopkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monteban fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Monteban with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
Monteban takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hopkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hopkins misses with a body kick.
Monteban was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Monteban misses with a wild body shot.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Monteban gets cracked there but stands up to it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinny Hopkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Hopkins!
An intense looking Vinny Hopkins took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'I never got to show my full potential before. Welcome to my show..'.