PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cristian Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavares comes to the cage accompanied by Karter comes out rocking #1 headband. Hopkins has chosen Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako as his entrance music. Cristian Tavares has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tavares
vs
Hopkins

173 cm
26
150 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

180 cm
34
153 lbs
33 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cristian Tavares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vinny Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares shoots in looking for a takedown. Hopkins tries to sprawl out of it but Tavares keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hopkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopkins swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Tavares appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cristian Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tavares has time to react.
Hopkins digs a good hook to Tavares's body.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Hopkins.
Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Hopkins throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
The crowd cheers as Hopkins lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tavares doesn't seem phased though.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
The fighters circling - Hopkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopkins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
Tavares slips under a jab from Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares swings widly with a right hand
and Hopkins counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopkins has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Tavares is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavares misses the target.
Tavares swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
Hopkins throws out a loose jab but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hopkins manages to avoid it.
Tavares scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hopkins lands with an uppercut that bounces Tavares off the cage and back into range.
Tavares has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Tavares takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tavares lands with a good body shot.
Tavares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopkins.
Tavares takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares throws a poor cross that misses
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good shot there by Tavares.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Hopkins ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopkins fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tavares on the side of the head.
Tavares swings widly with a right hand
enabling Hopkins to counter with a crisp jab.
Tavares throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopkins.
Tavares cracks Hopkins with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Hopkins clinches up with Tavares and pushes him back against the cage.
Tavares throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopkins.

Hopkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tavares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hopkins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopkins tests Tavares's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tavares takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tavares avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Hopkins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Tavares misses.
Hopkins throws out a counter right but Tavares avoids it with no problem.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavares misses the target.
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. Tavares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hopkins checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Hopkins's legs.
Nice defenses there by Hopkins.
Tavares closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hopkins listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tavares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopkins.
Tavares was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hopkins slips under a jab.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Hopkins saw that one coming.
Tavares feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hopkinss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hopkins scoring well with a low kick there.
A shot to the body from Tavares misses
and Hopkins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hopkins throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tavares.
Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tavares at a distance.
Hopkins slips a jab from Tavares.
Hopkins needs to keep his hands up - Tavares had a free shot at his head there.
Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Tavares was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins.
A cross from Hopkins lands.
A swing and a miss from Hopkins.
Hopkins is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Tavares had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Tavares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.

Hopkins drives through and clinches with Tavares against the cage.

Hopkins breaks from the clinch.
Hopkins slips a straight right by Tavares.
Hopkins lands a jab to Tavares's midsection.
Tavares is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hopkins's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Hopkins throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Hopkins misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavares misses the target.
Hopkins bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Hopkins dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tavares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hopkins doesn't seem bothered though.
Tavares looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tavares throws a good cross that connects.
Sloppy strikes from Tavares. Those never looked like landing.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the body.
Tavares lands a nice shot that snaps Hopkins's head back.
Hopkins lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tavares creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Tavares fails to land.
Hopkins lands a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Tavares misses with a body punch.

Hopkins manages to break the clinch.
Tavares throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range.
Tavares walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Tavares misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice shot lands for Hopkins.
Tavares moves out of range of the strikes.
Tavares drops his hands momentarily and Hopkins takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Hopkins moves into the clinch.
Hopkins misses with some punches.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hopkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tavares working aggressively here.
Tavares lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tavares.
Hopkins is trying to maintain a safe position but Tavares gets an underhook and turns Hopkins into the cage.
A short right from Tavares.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tavares blocks an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins lands on the inside with an uppercut.

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

Hopkins moves into range and clinches up with Tavares.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hopkins.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.
Tavares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopkins effectively controlling the action here.
Tavares lands with a short shot to the head.
Tavares lands with a left to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hopkins.
Tavares struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopkins controls his hands.
Tavares misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Hopkins fails to land.
Tavares jumps guard but Hopkins stands there with Tavares around his waist. Tavares gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tavares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tavares can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins looking to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Hopkins fails to land.
Tavares lands a left hand.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavares blocking some punches.
Tavares digs a right hand into Hopkins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hopkins's gas tank.
Tavares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Hopkins lands with a light punch inside.
Hopkins blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Tavares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hopkins working aggressively here.
Tavares lands a shoulder strike.
Tavares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tavares works on Hopkins's body with a couple of short punches.
Tavares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tavares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Vinny Hopkins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tavares works on Hopkins's body with a couple of short punches.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares jumps guard but Hopkins stands there with Tavares around his waist. Tavares gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tavares tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hopkins just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cristian Tavares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavares misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tavares prevents Hopkins from breaking the clinch.
Hopkins blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Hopkins lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Tavares.
Hopkins lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares cracks Hopkins with a nice body shot.
Tavares tries to pull guard but Hopkins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tavares lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hopkins throws a head punch that misses.
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tavares blocking some punches.

Hopkins manages to break the clinch.
Hopkins throws a looping overhand right but Tavares ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tavares can pounce on him.

Hopkins gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vinny Hopkins will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
Tavares misses with a straight right.
Tavares motions for Hopkins to come forward. Tavares throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Tavares there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tavares slips a jab from Hopkins.
Tavares listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tavares walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hopkins checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tavares keeps Hopkins at a distance using the push kick.
Hopkins connects with a leg kick. Tavares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tavares jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tavares dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopkins.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tavares prevents a body shot from Hopkins.
Tavares lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right handed body shot lands from Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hopkins.
Tavares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tavares works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tavares misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares has Hopkins pressed against the cage, preventing Hopkins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tavares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Tavares has a couple of punches blocked by Hopkins.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
A short left from Hopkins.
Tavares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
Tavares tries to pull guard but Hopkins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hopkins lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tavares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tavares.
A short right from Hopkins.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a short punch on the inside.

Hopkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Hopkins gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tavares.
Tavares on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tavares tries to clinch but Hopkins is having none of it.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.

Tavares moves into the clinch.
Tavares pushes Hopkins back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Hopkins avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Tavares avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares misses with a punch on the inside.
Tavares blocking some punches.
Tavares swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands a body punch.
Hopkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tavares pushes Hopkins back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares lands with a light punch inside.
Hopkins misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
Hopkins is trying to stall.
Tavares throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins tries a body shot but Tavares blocks it.
Hopkins misses with a punch on the inside.
Hopkins digs a right hand underneath Tavares's ribcage. Tavares let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A left hand lands to the body for Hopkins.
Tavares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tavares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tavares misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Hopkins breaks from the clinch.
Hopkins avoids the body shot from Tavares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopkins takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
Tavares scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hopkins in his tracks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins scores with a jab.
A right-left combo lands from Tavares.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Tavares connects with a jab.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.
Tavares dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares cracks Hopkins with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopkins tests Tavares's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
A big left from Tavares misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Tavares clearly takes that round.
That's time! Tavares's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Tavares misses with a series of wild punches.

Hopkins moves into the clinch successfully.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tavares.
A right handed body shot lands from Tavares.
Tavares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopkinss head.
Hopkins tries to circle away but Tavares has him pinned against the cage.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Hopkins lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hopkins blocks an uppercut.
Hopkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Tavares scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tavares tries a body shot but Hopkins blocks it.
Tavares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tavares blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tavares tries to work over Hopkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hopkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavares's elbow.
Tavares tries to work over Hopkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Hopkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tavares throws a leg kick
and Hopkins counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hopkins scoring well with a low kick there.

Hopkins clinches up against the cage.
Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tavares digs a right hand into Hopkins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hopkins's gas tank.
Hopkins lands a nice shot to the body.

Tavares pulls guard.
Tavares trying to keep a closed guard but Hopkins is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control but Tavares is working from the bottom.

Hopkins gets to his feet. Tavares looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Jab from Tavares.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares misses with a body shot.
Tavares jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hopkins drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tavares swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Tavares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopkins.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tavares lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hopkins takes a step back to recover.
Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
Hopkins connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tavares momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hopkins throws out the jab.
Hopkins throws out a loose jab but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tavares is looking to slow Hopkins down with leg kicks.
Tavares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tavares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hopkins is able to avoid easily.
Tavares throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Hopkins misses.

Hopkins pushes Tavares up against the cage in a clinch.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
Tavares lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tavares pushes Hopkins back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tavares.
Hopkins scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hopkins blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Tavares controls the action.
Hopkins misses with the head strike.
Tavares misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tavares gets control of Hopkins's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tavares will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hopkins being controlled here momentarily.

Tavares is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hopkins defends well.
Tavares is trying to control the position but Hopkins postures up.
Hopkins looking to pass the guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins postures up.
Hopkins wants to pass the guard but Tavares is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Cristian Tavares will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Hopkins swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Hopkins slips a jab from Tavares.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut.
A quick step to the side and Tavares tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tavares works the jab nicely.
Cristian Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Tavares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hopkins circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavares throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares looks for the body kick but Hopkins saw that one coming.
Hopkins digs a good hook to Tavares's body.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavares.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins throws a hook to the side of Tavares's head but Tavares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tavares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tavares fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tavares looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tavares ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hopkins lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tavares blocks a jab.
Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Hopkins misses.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopkins. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tavares.
Tavares misses the jab.
Hopkins fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tavares on the side of the head.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Hopkins misses with a hook
and Tavares counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tavares throws a lazy uppercut
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Hopkins was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares looks to land a left hand but Hopkins moved out of range nicely.
Hopkins slips under a jab.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Hopkins swings widly with a right hand
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Hopkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tavares shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hopkins eats them both and turns towards Tavares to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hopkins uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tavares has time to react.
Tavares misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Tavares.
Hopkins throws a hook but Tavares avoids it easily.
Hopkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopkins swings widly with a right hand
and Tavares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tavares misses the jab.

Hopkins takes the fight into the clinch.
Tavares tries to work over Hopkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tavares lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopkins or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tavares.
Hopkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tavares struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopkins controls his hands.
Hopkins misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Tavares fails to land.
Tavares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tavares tries to pull guard but Hopkins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tavares misses with the head strike.
Hopkins blocking some punches.
Hopkins lands with a left to the head.

Hopkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hopkins misses with a looping right.
Tavares throws a shot from downtown. Hopkins moves away and avoids it.
A nice side step and Hopkins releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tavares takes one to the side of the head.
Tavares misses with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a body shot
and Hopkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big left from Hopkins misses.
Tavares shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hopkins but Hopkins pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Hopkins.
Hopkins throws a hook but Tavares avoids it easily.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopkins throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tavares counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice shot by Tavares.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
Tavares takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Hopkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tavares ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tavares no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tavares trying to control the position.
Hopkins pushing down on Tavares's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

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 Cristian Tavares.
I think Tavares has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:48
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vinny Hopkins!
Vinny Hopkins is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Vinny Hopkins made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.