PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliézer Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins comes to the cage accompanied by Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako . Machado is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes. 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.

Hopkins
vs
Machado

180 cm
28
167 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

184 cm
38
177 lbs
28 - 22 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Instinct

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vinny Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 22 - 1, fighting out of London, Eliézer Machado!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado lands with a nice combination. Hopkins backs away looking to recover.
Machado avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A left lands for Hopkins.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hopkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hopkins misses with a hook.
Hopkins misses with a lunging right hand
and Machado counters with a two punch combo.
Vinny Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machado misses the shot to the body.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopkins scores with a crisp jab that stopped Machado in his tracks.
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 takes the fight into the clinch.
Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machado 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 Machado.
Machado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Machado told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Hopkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
I was talking to Hopkins's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Machado tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Machado back against the cage.
Machado comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machado's elbow.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Machado throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hopkins misses with a punch to the body.
Machado works on Hopkins's body with a couple of short punches.
Machado lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
Nice body punch from Machado.
Hopkins prevents a body shot from Machado.
Hopkins misses with a body punch.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Machado blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins blocks an elbow strike.
Machado blocks an uppercut.
Machado lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hopkins.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machado lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Machado avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Hopkins misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins throws a punch but it's blocked by Machado.
Machado throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machado prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
A short body shot lands from Machado as the two fighters clinch.
Hopkins working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Hopkins manages to break the clinch.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Machado throws a hook to the side of Hopkins's head but Hopkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado swinging wildly here.
A quick step to the side and Hopkins tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins misses with a straight left.
Hopkins moves in looking to clinch but Machado pushes him off.
A big right from Hopkins misses.
Hopkins lands a jab-cross combination.
Hopkins thuds his right hand into Machado's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Machado looks to move away, Hopkins throws a big counter combo but Machado just gets out of the way.

Hopkins clinches up with Machado and pushes him back against the cage.
Machado lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Machado.
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!
Machado blocking some punches.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins avoids a wild elbow strike from Machado.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Machado avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage.
Machado lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins works on Machado's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Hopkins on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.
Machado pushes Hopkins back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hopkins pushes Machado back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hopkins lands with a left to the head.
Machado lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Machado.
A short body shot lands from Hopkins as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hopkins lands with a left to the head.
Hopkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Machado controls his hands.
Hopkins wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machado has him pressed against the cage.
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 Vinny Hopkins will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Machado scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hopkins tries to clinch there but Machado circles away.
Machado tries to clinch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machado.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Machado doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Machado avoids the body shot from Hopkins.
Vinny Hopkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Hopkins moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hopkins throws a chopping leg kick but Machado manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Machado tries to counter by closing the distance.
Machado looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Machado ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado misses with an uppercut. Hopkins saw that one coming.
Machado throws a hook to the side of Hopkins's head but Hopkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hopkins tries to clinch but Machado is having none of it.
Hopkins throws an overhand right that lands on Machado's shoulder, as Machado tries to avoid the shot.
Machado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hopkins.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Machado! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Machado.
Machado scores with the left hand. Hopkins knows he should have avoided that one.
Machado jabs Hopkins right on the nose. Hopkins blinks but takes it well.

Hopkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins.

Hopkins manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machado walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Machado lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Machado takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Machado throws a hook but Hopkins blocks it.
Hopkins avoids a punch combination nicely.
A cross from Machado lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins misses with a combination
and Machado counters with a right hand to the body.
A big left from Hopkins misses.
Machado staying out of range there.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Machado.
Machado throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hopkins defending well as Machado loads up on a big left hand.
Hopkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Machado swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopkins lands a nice shot that snaps Machado's head back.
Machado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hopkins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopkins is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A jab from Hopkins finds it's way through Machado's defenses.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Machado circles away and keeps his distance.
Hopkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins scores with a three punch combo!
Machado takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hopkins misses with a takedown
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machado connects with a single shot there.
Hopkins throws a left and a right that both miss

and Machado counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machado.
Machado throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopkins.
Machado lands a body shot.
Hopkins takes a shot to the head.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hopkins pushes Machado back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Machado scores with a nice hook to the head.
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 doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Machado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado blocking some punches.
Machado lands an elbow that stopped Hopkins in his tracks for a moment.
Hopkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hopkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
Good body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the forehead.
Eliézer Machado seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hopkins's elbow.
Machado lands an elbow that stopped Hopkins in his tracks for a moment.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins working aggressively here.
Machado swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado scores with a shot to the side of Hopkins's head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Machado creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hopkins tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Machado lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliézer Machado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machado loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch.
Hopkins is looking for a counter combo.
Hopkins cracks Machado with a good jab.

Machado lands a left and a right that send Hopkins crashing to the mat, dazed. Machado thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Hopkins is rocked!

It looks like Vinny Hopkins has been cut.
Machado throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Oh Hopkins is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Machado misses with a body shot.
Hopkins was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hopkins throws a nice looking combination but Machado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopkins fails to land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopkins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hopkins seems to have got his legs back now.
Machado misses with a series of wild punches.
Machado swinging wildly here.
Hopkins tries to clinch up but Machado circles away and keeps his distance.
Machado tries to counter with a clinch but Hopkins shakes him off and moves away.

Machado darts in and clinches Hopkins up against the cage.
Hopkins lands with a short shot to the head.
Machado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
Machado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Machado tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.
Hopkins lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Machado lands a nice uppercut.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the temple.
Machado prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins blocks the elbow strike.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Machado.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Machado.
A short right from Hopkins on the inside.
Machado lands a left hand.

Hopkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Hopkins has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
Machado prevents Hopkins from breaking the clinch.
Machado gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
Machado lands a body shot.
A right hand to the body from Machado.
Hopkins misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Machado blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Machado softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Hopkins.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Machado controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Machado throws an elbow but it misses.
Machado prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins blocks an elbow strike.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Machado blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machado blocks an uppercut.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Machado lands a body punch.
Machado blocking some punches.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machado's elbow.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machado lands with a left to the head.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A cross from Machado lands.
Hopkins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machado.
Machado moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machado moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Machado looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado is trying to improve his position.
Hopkins is looking to take a break and control but Machado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Machado sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliézer Machado comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Machado 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliézer Machado!
The defeated Vinny Hopkins had this to say: '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.'.