PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Monteban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako . 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
30
148 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

180 cm
29
157 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bos Energy MMA159.4
Hellbent

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricardo Monteban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vinny Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monteban misses with a body shot.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hopkins lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Monteban on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Monteban lands a head shot.
Hopkins takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Monteban misses with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Hopkins. No joy for Monteban on that attempt.
Monteban looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Monteban has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hopkins tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monteban throws a shot from downtown. Hopkins moves away and avoids it.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Hopkins gets caught flat footed, as Monteban shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Monteban wants to control from the top but Hopkins keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopkins wants to get back to his feet but Monteban is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Monteban gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hopkins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Monteban scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hopkins is adopting a defensive guard.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Monteban throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hopkins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Monteban distracts Hopkins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Monteban postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hopkins is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hopkins has momentary wrist control but Monteban slips an elbow through the middle.
Hopkins wants to stand up but Monteban is controlling him.
Monteban landing some decent shots from guard.
Monteban throwing strikes but missing.
Monteban might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Monteban makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monteban trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hopkins holds on and takes a little breather.
Hopkins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monteban trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monteban is really struggling to control Hopkins but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Monteban makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hopkins controls Monteban momentarily but Monteban frees himself.

Hopkins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Monteban doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Monteban manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Monteban working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Monteban scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Monteban seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monteban throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hopkins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Monteban throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hopkins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hopkins seems keen to control Monteban's posture.
Hopkins trying to control the position.
Hopkins wants to get back to his feet but Monteban is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Monteban has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Monteban working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hopkins's head.
Monteban makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Monteban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopkins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Monteban.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Monteban distracts Hopkins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Monteban works over Hopkins with some ground and pound from guard.
Monteban is in close to Hopkins's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Monteban loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hopkins controlling Monteban's posture.
Hopkins keeping full guard, as Monteban tries to pass.
Hopkins working a defensive guard here.
Hopkins wants to stand up but Monteban is controlling him.
Monteban postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hopkins managing to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control the position.
Monteban landing some decent shots from guard.
Hopkins utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hopkins controlling Monteban's posture.
Monteban lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hopkins is pulling down on Monteban's head to control his posture.
Monteban throws a big elbow that misses.
Hopkins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Monteban throwing strikes from guard but Hopkins blocks nicely.

Monteban avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Monteban connects with a couple of short punches.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Monteban is posturing up here but Hopkins has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Monteban tries to roll out but it's too tight and Monteban has to tap! Slick submission there by Hopkins!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vinny Hopkins!
Post fight, an emotional Vinny Hopkins said 'Step down kid. Welcome to my show..'.