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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brendan Pocketts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Finlay Hope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pocketts comes to the cage accompanied by Hajime No Ippo. This should be a great matchup!
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| 182 cm
25
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
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180 cm
25
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brendan Pocketts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Finlay Hope!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pocketts is looking to clinch.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hope breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hope gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hope wriggles free and stands up.
Pocketts gets caught flat footed, as Hope shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pocketts utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pocketts wants to sweep but no luck.
Pocketts looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hope throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pocketts works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pocketts has his hands on Hope's head, controlling the position.
Pocketts's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Pocketts looking for a sweep. Not yet Pocketts, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hope looking to sit in guard and control but Pocketts gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hope pushes Pocketts off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Hope fails to land with a series of punches.
Hope looks to land a right hand but Pocketts moved out of range.
Hope looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pocketts has Hope pulled in close to control his posture.
Pocketts looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hope wants to control from the top but Pocketts keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope is working Pocketts over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hope won't allow Pocketts to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hope accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pocketts is on top in guard.
Pocketts pushing down on Hope's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Still in half guard, Pocketts seems content to control.
Hope kicks Pocketts off and gets back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hope pinned against the cage. Hope gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hope shoots in and gets a takedown into Pocketts's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pocketts pulls Hope in close to prevent any damage.
Hope stopping the sweep attempt from Pocketts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Finlay Hope dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Hope connects with a single shot there.
Pocketts is looking to clinch but Hope is avoiding it.
Hope scores with a three punch combo!
It looks like Brendan Pocketts has been cut.
Hope misses the jab.
Hope throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pocketts tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hope is in Pocketts's guard.
Pocketts wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Hope manages to pass to side control.
Finlay Hope has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pocketts manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pocketts trying to control the position here.
Pocketts keeping moving, preventing Hope from controlling successfully.
That's one minute gone in the round.
We've been informed that Hope has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Pocketts looking to control.
Hope is stalling in the full guard.
Pocketts has Hope pulled in close to control his posture.
Pocketts is trying to control the position but Hope postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hope stopping the sweep attempt from Pocketts.
Pocketts preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hope trying to control the position from guard on top but Pocketts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pocketts looking for a sweep. Not yet Pocketts, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hope trying to control the position from guard on top but Pocketts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hope working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hope trying to control the position from guard on top but Pocketts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pocketts is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pocketts walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pocketts feinted with a counter takedown.
Pocketts moves in looking to clinch but Hope pushes him off.
Hope leaves Pocketts with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pocketts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hope as he jumps to the side.
Pocketts misses with a takedown
and Hope counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brendan Pocketts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pocketts tries to clinch up but Hope circles away and keeps his distance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hope to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hope trying to control but Pocketts is working from the bottom.
Pocketts not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hope with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pocketts looking for a sweep. Not yet Pocketts, not yet.
Hope trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pocketts has Hope pulled in close to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hope content to stall in guard here.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Finlay Hope showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brendan Pocketts's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Pocketts wants to clinch but Hope slips to the side
and Hope makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hope, as that shot connected.
Hope has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pocketts fails to pull guard.
Hope has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Pocketts is trying to keep an underhook but Hope manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Hope sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pocketts defending well though.
Pocketts trying to control but Hope postures up.
Pocketts is not content to let Hope control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pocketts makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pocketts.
Hope with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope throws a strike but Pocketts rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hope has his feet on Pocketts's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hope misses with a series of wild punches.
Pocketts connects with a body shot that sends Hope's belly button to the back.
Pocketts lands a nice hook to Hope's body. Hope takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pocketts looks to throw the jab but Hope is out of range.
Hope is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hope stuffs the takedown attempt from Pocketts. Pocketts gets slowly back to his feet.
Finlay Hope seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts tries to clinch up but Hope circles away and keeps his distance.
Hope misses with a combination
and Pocketts counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pocketts is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hope!
Pocketts landing strikes, looking to finish!
Pocketts trying to control but Hope is having none of it.
Pocketts is stalling here but it's allowed Hope to get half guard.
Hope takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hope does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hope tries to kick Pocketts off but Pocketts keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pocketts is looking to advance position but Hope won't allow it.
Hope trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Pocketts manages to pass to mount!
Pocketts controlling the position easily from mount.
Hope tries to reverse the position but Pocketts maintains control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pocketts trying to control but Hope is having none of it.
Hope wants to hold on but Pocketts pushes him away.
Pocketts trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pocketts has hold of Hope's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hope manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Finlay Hope just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Brendan Pocketts's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Pocketts shoots in for a double leg but Hope sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pocketts shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hope defends it nicely.
A combination from Hope does no damage.
Pocketts tries to clinch there but Hope circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope drives through with a takedown into Pocketts's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Pocketts looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hope is one step ahead there.
Pocketts wants to get back to his feet but Hope is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Pocketts is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hope is aware though and is defending well.
Hope throws a big right hand that misses.
Pocketts is trying to keep Hope in close.
Pocketts has control of Hope's left arm, preventing Hope from doing any damage.
Pocketts continues to stall.
Pocketts is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pocketts is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hope wants to improve his position but Pocketts is controlling well.
Hope won't allow Pocketts to pass to mount.
Hope is doing well to control the position and prevent Pocketts from advancing to side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hope tries to get to full guard but Pocketts has control of the leg.
Hope holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Pocketts is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Pocketts in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hope tries to reverse the position but Pocketts maintains control.
Pocketts controlling his opponent.
Pocketts can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hope is looking to escape.
Pocketts looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Brendan Pocketts had his way with Finlay Hope in that round.
The cut man is working on Brendan Pocketts's cut.
That's time! Pocketts's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Hope gets a double leg takedown into Pocketts's guard.
Pocketts keeping moving, preventing Hope from controlling successfully.
Pocketts working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hope.
Pocketts managing to control the position.
More hug and hope from Pocketts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope trying to control but Pocketts is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hope is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hope throws an elbow that misses. Pocketts uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hope's guard. Nice move by Pocketts!
Pocketts wants to control from the top but Hope keeps moving.
Hope has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pocketts is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hope is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pocketts controls from within his opponent's guard.
Pocketts trying to control but Hope is working from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Pocketts closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hope quickly recovers to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pocketts is trying to control the action in half guard but Hope is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hope is doing well to control the position and prevent Pocketts from advancing to side control.
Brendan Pocketts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pocketts passes to side control.
Hope is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's four 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.
Hope stops Pocketts from passing to mount.
Hope is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pocketts's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Pocketts is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Finlay Hope is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hope trying to control from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pocketts seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hope does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Brendan Pocketts.
Well Hope 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:48
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finlay Hope!
Finlay Hope is the new welterweight champion!
Brendan Pocketts spoke after the fight, saying 'Will be back stronger then today.'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
34% |
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