PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tomi Bryan (ranked 911 p4p, 124 weight class) and Hulk Hogan (ranked 1590 p4p, 215 weight class). Hogan has chosen My Time Is Now as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bryan
vs
Hogan

170 cm
25
192 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
193 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tomi Bryan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hulk Hogan!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Bryan misses its intended target.
Hogan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bryan.
Bryan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bryan throws a shot from downtown. Hogan moves away and avoids it.

Bryan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bryan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bryan thows a huge punch but Hogan dodges it nicely.
Hogan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hogan.
Hogan wants to sweep but no luck.
Bryan wants to control from the top but Hogan keeps moving.
Bryan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hogan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryan wants to control from the top but Hogan keeps moving.
Bryan 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.
Hogan pulls Bryan in close to prevent any damage.
Bryan wants to control from the top but Hogan keeps moving.
Hogan pulls Bryan in close to his closed guard and prevents Bryan from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan looking for a sweep. Not yet Hogan, not yet.
Bryan trying to control but Hogan is working from the bottom.
Hogan controls Bryan momentarily but Bryan frees himself.
Hogan 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.
Hogan is trying to keep Bryan in close.
Hogan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hogan has control of Bryan's left arm, preventing Bryan from doing any damage.
Bryan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Hogan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bryan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hogan trying to control but Bryan postures up.
Hogan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bryan.
Hogan regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hogan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bryan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hogan keeping moving, preventing Bryan from controlling successfully.
Bryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bryan throws a big right hand that misses.
Bryan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bryan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hogan wants to sweep here but Bryan controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hogan has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Temp Spar Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hogan is on top in guard.

Bryan trying to keep a closed guard but Hogan is proving a slippery customer.
Hogan postures up in Bryan's guard and throws a big left but Bryan blocks it.
Bryan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hogan manages to get himself to full guard.

Bryan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bryan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bryan is working Hogan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hogan being controlled here, momentarily.
Bryan postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bryan is one step ahead there.
Bryan scoring with some ground and pound.
Hogan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bryan is one step ahead there.
Bryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Hogan is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bryan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hogan looking for a sweep. Not yet Hogan, not yet.
Bryan landing with the ground and pound.
Bryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hogan is trying to control the position but Bryan postures up.
Bryan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bryan is fighting to break Hogan's control of his arms but Hogan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bryan won't allow Hogan to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Bryan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hogan misses with an uppercut.
Bryan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hogan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bryan throws the left hand but Hogan avoids the punch easily.
Hogan feints the counter takedown.
Bryan avoids the body shot from Hogan.
Hogan defending well as Bryan loads up on a big left hand.
Hogan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hogan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bryan just misses with a punch to the body.
Hogan throws a shot from downtown. Bryan moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hogan stuffs the takedown.
Bryan slips under a jab.
Hogan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bryan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hogan closes the distance and clinches up with Bryan, looking for a takedown. Hogan pushes Bryan against the cage but Bryan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hogan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bryan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryan slips a straight right by Hogan.
Hogan slips a jab from Bryan.
Hogan fails with a takedown attempt.
Tomi Bryan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hulk Hogan.
Hogan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bryan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hogan can do to turn this around?
Hogan throws a body punch but Bryan moves out of range.
Bryan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bryan defending well as Hogan loads up on a big left hand.

Bryan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Bryan trying to control but Hogan is working from the bottom.
Hogan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bryan.
Hogan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hogan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hogan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hogan wants to free his trapped foot but Bryan is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bryan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hogan is working away from the top position though.
Hogan wants to pass the guard but Bryan is defending well.
Bryan 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.
Hogan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hogan looks to land a strike but Bryan avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hogan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hogan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bryan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hogan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bryan.
Bryan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hogan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bryan lands a couple of elbows.
Bryan stopping the sweep attempt from Hogan.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hogan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hogan wants to sweep but no luck.
Bryan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bryan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bryan landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bryan in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hogan is looking for a sweep.
Bryan tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hogan is looking to regain half guard here but Bryan keeps moving and retains side control.
Tomi Bryan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryan landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bryan throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hogan avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bryan.
Hogan tries to improve position but can't.
Bryan in side control, throwing shots but Hogan defends.
Bryan scoring with punches and elbows.
Bryan landing strikes.
Bryan lands a nice forearm strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hogan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bryan connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hogan some visible discomfort.
Hogan is looking for a sweep.
Hogan struggling a bit here.
Hogan is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Bryan dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hogan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bryan was well out of range. Poor timing from Hogan.
Hogan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bryan.
Hogan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bryan.
Hogan throws a jab when Bryan was well out of range.
Hogan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hogan throws a body punch but Bryan moves out of range.
Hogan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bryan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hogan.
Bryan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hogan.
Hogan fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hogan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bryan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bryan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hogan sprawls and moves away.
Hogan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bryan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tomi Bryan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hulk Hogan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bryan misses with a wild body shot.
Bryan is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hogan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bryan defends it nicely.
Hogan throws a body punch but Bryan moves out of range.
Tomi Bryan is winning the standup battle so far.
Bryan misses with a hook. Hogan ducked under it nicely.
Hogan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hogan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bryan sprawls well. Bryan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hogan gets slowly back to his feet.
Bryan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hogan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryan throws out a loose jab but Hogan uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan slips under a jab.

Hogan forces Bryan back against the cage and clinches.

Bryan has picked Hogan up - he's going for a ride! Bryan dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Bryan is nestled in close to Hogan, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bryan looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hogan with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bryan scoring with strikes to the body and head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bryan prevents Hogan from improving his position.
Bryan drops an elbow to the side of Hogan's head.
Bryan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hogan trying to control from the bottom.
Hogan gets back to full guard.
Bryan wants to control from the top but Hogan keeps moving.
Hogan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hogan wants to sweep here but Bryan controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan has his hands on Bryan's head, controlling the position.
Bryan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hogan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hogan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hogan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bryan manages to get himself to full guard.

Hogan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hogan throwing strikes but missing.
Hogan throws a big elbow that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bryan holds on and takes a little breather.
Bryan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan keeping moving, preventing Bryan from controlling successfully.
Bryan postures up in Hogan's guard and throws a big left but Hogan blocks it.
Bryan postures up.
Bryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Hogan is retaining full guard.
Bryan is in close to Hogan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bryan postures up in Hogan's guard and throws a big left but Hogan blocks it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hogan can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hogan has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bryan has passed into side control.
Hogan struggling a bit here.
Hogan is looking for a sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hogan takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Hogan can't do much from the bottom here.
Bryan has control of an arm but Hogan manages to advance to Bryan's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Bryan clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bryan throws a shot from downtown. Hogan moves away and avoids it.
Bryan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hogan is fending him off so far but Bryan persists. Nope, Hogan circles away and we're back to standing.
Bryan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hogan.
Bryan slips a jab from Hogan.
Bryan stuffs the takedown.
Hogan ducks under a wild hook from Bryan.
Hogan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bryan but Bryan pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Bryan gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bryan lands a nice short elbow.
Bryan throwing shots but Hogan is blocking nicely.
Bryan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan tries to get to full guard but Bryan has control of the leg.
Bryan working over Hogan with some ground and pound. Hogan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bryan throwing shots but Hogan is blocking nicely.
Hogan wants to get back to full guard.
Bryan working the head and body with strikes.
Hogan tries to roll over but Bryan keeps him under control.
Hogan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bryan.
Bryan lands strikes from half guard.
Bryan lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bryan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bryan landing with the ground and pound.
Bryan postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Hogan is rocked!
Hogan wants to sweep but no luck.
Bryan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hogan is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bryan postures up.
Bryan looking to pass the guard.
Hogan is trying to control the position but Bryan postures up.
Hogan is controlling Bryan's posture.
Bryan chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryan preventing the sweep.
Bryan is looking to work some ground and pound but Hogan has wrist control.
Bryan works over Hogan with some ground and pound from guard.
Hogan working a defensive guard here.
Hogan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bryan is one step ahead there.
Hogan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hogan controlling the position.
Bryan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bryan stopping the sweep attempt from Hogan.
Bryan postures up and lands a big shot to Hogan's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bryan trying to control but Hogan is working from the bottom.
Hogan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bryan pushes down on Hogan's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hogan gets full guard.
Bryan won't allow Hogan to sweep him here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hogan is pulling down on Bryan's head. It's preventing any offense from Bryan, at least for the moment.
Bryan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Bryan had his way with Hulk Hogan in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bryan moves out of range of the strikes.
Hogan blocks a jab.
Hogan shoots in and drives through. Bryan sprawls well.
Hogan just misses with a punch to the body.
Hogan misses with a hook

and Bryan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bryan.
Bryan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Hogan is retaining full guard.
Bryan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hogan working a defensive guard here.
Hogan is controlling Bryan's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hogan keeping moving, preventing Bryan from controlling successfully.
Hogan pulls Bryan in close to his closed guard and prevents Bryan from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bryan lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan wants to sweep but no luck.
Bryan throwing strikes but missing.
Hogan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bryan.
Bryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hogan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hogan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bryan is one step ahead there.
Bryan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hogan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hogan 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.
Hogan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bryan trying to control but Hogan is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hogan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hogan trying to keep a closed guard but Bryan is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bryan blocks a jab.
Bryan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Bryan gets a double leg takedown into Hogan's guard.
Hogan is trying to control the position but Bryan postures up.
Bryan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hogan's head.
Bryan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bryan content to stall in guard here.
Bryan throwing strikes from guard but Hogan blocks nicely.
Hogan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hogan with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hogan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hogan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bryan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hogan.
Bryan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hogan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bryan's head.
Hogan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hulk Hogan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bryan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hogan lands a couple of elbows.
Bryan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bryan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hogan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hogan tries to roll over but Bryan keeps him under control.
Bryan scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tomi Bryan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bryan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hogan looking for a sweep. Not yet Hogan, not yet.
Hogan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hogan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hogan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bryan's head.
Bryan regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hogan.
Hogan won't allow Bryan to sweep him here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bryan is working hard here to advance position.
Hogan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomi Bryan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bryan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomi Bryan!
Tomi Bryan is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Tomi Bryan rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
The defeated Hulk Hogan had this to say: 'My time is not yet now.'.