PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Enzo Maldini (ranked 4358 p4p, 414 weight class) and Hans Hermann Hoppe (ranked 5419 p4p, 471 weight class). Hoppe has chosen Wind of Change as his entrance music. The key to victory for Enzo Maldini has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Maldini
vs
Hermann Hoppe

170 cm
21
155 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

173 cm
20
161 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Enzo Maldini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hans Hermann Hoppe!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoppe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maldini lands a nice looking body kick.
Maldini is looking to slow Hoppe down with leg kicks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maldini connects with the punch.
Maldini fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hoppe looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Hoppe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hoppe is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maldini defends it well.
Hoppe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maldini's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maldini is staying active underneath Hoppe, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hoppe throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Maldini to regain full guard.
Hoppe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hoppe with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hoppe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoppe trying to control the position from guard on top but Maldini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hoppe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hoppe with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maldini can't keep his opponent in guard - Hoppe advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Maldini avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hoppe.
Hoppe keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hoppe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maldini's head.
Hoppe is trying to control the action in half guard but Maldini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hoppe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hoppe is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Maldini reverses the position - he's now on top in Hoppe's guard.
Hoppe wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hoppe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maldini's guard.

Maldini not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hoppe throws a big right hand that misses.
Hoppe trying to control the position from guard on top but Maldini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hoppe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hoppe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hoppe controlling from the top position.
Hoppe landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoppe wants to control from the top but Maldini keeps moving.
Hoppe trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Maldini manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Hoppe keeping moving, preventing Maldini from controlling successfully.
Maldini tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoppe is retaining full guard.
Hoppe is adopting a defensive guard.
Hoppe is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maldini pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hoppe is keeping the position for now.

Hoppe has his foot on Maldini's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maldini works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini looking to pass the guard.
Hoppe looking to control.
Hoppe wants to sweep but no luck.
Maldini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hoppe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maldini's guard.

Hoppe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hoppe is in close to Maldini's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Maldini looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hoppe passes into side control.
Hoppe lands an elbow.
Hoppe laying and praying for a moment but Maldini takes advantage and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hans Hermann Hoppe dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maldini digs a good body shot into Hoppe's ribs.

Hoppe feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hoppe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hoppe looking to sit in guard and control but Maldini gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hoppe has his hands on Maldini's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hoppe is keeping the position for now.

Hoppe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maldini defends it easily.
Hans Hermann Hoppe has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoppe is retaining full guard.

Maldini avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Hoppe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maldini passes into half guard.
Maldini looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hoppe wants to improve his position but Maldini is controlling well.
Maldini works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoppe sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hoppe regains full guard. Nicely done.
Maldini advances position into side control!
Hoppe is looking for a sweep.

Maldini is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hoppe is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hoppe gets back to half guard.
Hoppe wants to improve his position but Maldini is controlling well.
Hoppe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hoppe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maldini slips nicely into half guard.
Maldini wants to free his trapped foot but Hoppe is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hoppe wants to control but Maldini is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hoppe is positioning himself well to prevent Maldini advancing to mount.

Hoppe makes his way to full guard, as Maldini worked for a kimura.
Hoppe trying to keep a closed guard but Maldini is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Maldini preventing the sweep.
Maldini is pushing down on Hoppe's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hoppe is fighting to maintain full guard but Maldini has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hoppe wants to get back to full guard.
Hoppe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hoppe.
Maldini looking to pass the guard.

Hoppe looking for a guillotine here but Maldini defends easily.
Hoppe can't keep his opponent in guard - Maldini advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoppe is looking for a sweep. Maldini is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Enzo Maldini will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Maldini connects with a high kick.
Hoppe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hoppe with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hoppe fails with the takedown
and Hoppe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maldini bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hoppe has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Maldini lands a jab to Hoppe's midsection.
Hoppe fails with a takedown attempt.
Enzo Maldini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hans Hermann Hoppe.
Maldini connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hoppe's hands.
A nice inside leg kick there by Maldini. That's going to slow Hoppe down.
Maldini scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maldini works over Hoppe's head and body with a nice combination.
Hoppe shoots in and drives through. Maldini sprawls well.
Hoppe chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Maldini can pounce on him.
Maldini moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice jab there from Maldini.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini thows a body kick. Hoppe tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Enzo Maldini is winning the standup battle so far.
Hoppe shoots in but no luck this time.
Maldini keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hoppe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoppe fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hans Hermann Hoppe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maldini lands a front kick.
Hoppe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maldini tries to avoid it but Hoppe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maldini to the ground. Maldini escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maldini is looking to slow Hoppe down with leg kicks.
Hoppe shoots in but Maldini avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maldini scores with a leg kick.
Maldini lands a head kick!
Hans Hermann Hoppe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoppe takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Maldini looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Maldini stuffs the takedown.
That kick from Maldini tenderised Hoppe's leg. Hoppe is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maldini.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoppe takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maldini.
Hoppe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maldini smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hoppe shoots in for a takedown but Maldini shows good takedown defense.
Maldini lands with a thumping leg kick.
Maldini feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hoppe's calf.
Hoppe shoots for a takedown but Maldini saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hoppe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maldini lands with an uppercut that bounces Hoppe off the cage and back into range.
Maldini throws a head kick that half lands.
Maldini connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hoppe. Hoppe circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hoppe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hoppe's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maldini lands a really nice looking cross but Hoppe seems unphased.
Maldini lands with a shot to the body.
Hoppe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Maldini feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hoppe's calf.
Maldini lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hoppe will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hoppe at a distance.
Hoppe darts in looking for a takedown but Maldini gets double underhooks and turns Hoppe into the cage.
Maldini scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maldini throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maldini stuns Hoppe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maldini turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Maldini keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice body punch from Maldini.
Maldini connects with a body shot.
That kick from Maldini tenderised Hoppe's leg. Hoppe is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hoppe shoots in looking for a takedown but Maldini manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hoppe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
An inside leg kick lands from Maldini.
Maldini dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hoppe. That did some damage!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maldini buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maldini lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Maldini connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoppe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maldini.
Hoppe goes for a double leg but Maldini avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maldini continues to drive forward.
Hoppe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maldini.
Maldini leaves Hoppe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maldini thumps Hoppe with a low kick.
Maldini throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hoppe takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hoppe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maldini avoids it really well and circles away.
Hoppe misses with a takedown
and Maldini counters with a low kick, right behind Hoppe 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoppe doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Maldini counter with a right hand.
Hoppe fails with the takedown
and Hoppe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hoppe takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enzo Maldini showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maldini 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Enzo Maldini!
A relieved looking Enzo Maldini thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.