PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Terry Hopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spencer Gordon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spencer Gordon has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Terry Hopper's chin.

Hopper
vs
Gordon

201 cm
18
177 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Terry Hopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Spencer Gordon!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gordon closes the distance and clinches.
Gordon lands a nice uppercut.
Hopper tries for a takedown but Gordon manages to get underhooks.
Gordon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hopper after a bit of a struggle.
Gordon has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hopper is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gordon is looking for a takedown.
Terry Hopper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spencer Gordon.

Gordon jumps into guard, dragging Hopper to the mat.
Gordon wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gordon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopper throws a big right hand that misses.
Hopper really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gordon wants to get back to his feet but Hopper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gordon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hopper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hopper will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gordon is trying to control the position but Hopper postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hopper not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gordon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hopper's guard.
Hopper throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Hopper working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gordon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gordon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hopper wants to get back to his feet but Gordon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordon throws a big elbow that misses.
Gordon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gordon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hopper has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gordon has managed to get both his arms back between Hopper's legs - danger averted.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gordon shoots in for a takedown but Hopper shows good takedown defense.
Gordon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopper pinned against the cage. Hopper gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gordon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hopper is fending him off so far but Gordon persists. Nope, Hopper circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopper shoots in but Gordon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gordon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopper tries to avoid it but Gordon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopper to the ground. Hopper escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gordon looks winded!
Hopper dives in and grabs Gordon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gordon pushes down on Hopper's head and hops out.
Gordon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gordon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gordon closes the distance and clinches up with Hopper, looking for a takedown. Gordon pushes Hopper against the cage but Hopper circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gordon shoots in for a double leg but Hopper sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hopper shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ground and pound from Hopper.
Hopper lands with a punch from half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hopper in particular looking to stall.
Gordon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hopper.
Hopper trying to control the pace.
Hopper takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopper not doing much here.
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 Terry Hopper will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gordon pushes Hopper up against the cage in a clinch.
Gordon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gordon controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Gordon's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

Gordon jumps guard and drags Hopper to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopper looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordon wants to sweep here but Hopper controlling him for the moment.
Hopper working some strikes from top position.
Hopper engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hopper seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gordon for as long as he can get away with.
Hopper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hopper throwing strikes from guard but Gordon blocks nicely.
Gordon wants to stand and escape but Hopper is having none of it.

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.
Hopper wants to control from the top but Gordon keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hopper lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gordon circles away quickly and effectively.
Gordon is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Terry Hopper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hopper shoots in and bounces Gordon off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hopper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hopper is looking to work some ground and pound but Gordon has wrist control.
Gordon keeping moving, preventing Hopper from controlling successfully.
Hopper is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gordon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper controlling from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hopper wants to control from the top but Gordon keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Spencer Gordon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gordon moves into the clinch successfully.
Gordon goes for a takedown attempt but Hopper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gordon has managed to clinch.
Gordon is trying to pull guard but Hopper has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gordon successfully pulls guard.
Gordon wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopper is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hopper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopper is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gordon has a closed guard, preventing Hopper from standing up.
Hopper throws a big elbow that misses.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hopper sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hopper misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Spencer Gordon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Hopper. No joy for Gordon on that attempt.
Hopper wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hopper misses with a takedown attempt
and Gordon counters with a left to the body.
Gordon with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hopper holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hopper looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gordon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hopper gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Terry Hopper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spencer Gordon.
Gordon is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gordon is working for takedown but Hopper is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gordon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Gordon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gordon closes the distance and pushes Hopper back into the cage.

Gordon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hopper or perhaps it was just good defense by Gordon, which made it look bad.
Gordon tries to bum rush Hopper with a series of wild strikes but Hopper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hopper misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gordon clinches up against the cage.

Hopper pulls guard successfully.
Hopper wants to get back to his feet but Gordon passes into half guard.
Hopper regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gordon.
Gordon postures up in Hopper's guard and throws a big left but Hopper blocks it.
Gordon controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gordon trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Gordon manages to pass to side control.
Gordon thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hopper's head.
Gordon trying to control from Hopper's half guard. Hopper has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Terry Hopper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gordon prevents Hopper from getting back to his feet.

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.

Gordon gets to his feet - Hopper follows without any prompting.
Gordon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hopper sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gordon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hopper swivels and escapes.
Gordon stuffs the takedown.
Hopper has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gordon.

Gordon rushes Hopper and presses him up against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gordon breaks from the clinch.
Gordon dives in for a single leg takedown but Hopper sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spencer Gordon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gordon 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spencer Gordon!