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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grant Hopkins (ranked 6833 p4p, 544 weight class) and Bubba James Jr (ranked 24365 p4p, 583 weight class). James Jr is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Biscuits & Gravy. Bubba James Jr is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 185 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 4 - 0 |
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188 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 5 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin |
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BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Grant Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bubba James Jr!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Daniel Blasius.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James Jr tries to avoid it but Hopkins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James Jr to the ground. James Jr escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hopkins looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Hopkins throws a lazy right hand but James Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hopkins takes a body punch but keeps moving.
James Jr connects with a body shot.
James Jr keeps Hopkins at a distance using the push kick.
Hopkins definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
James Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hopkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James Jr shoots for a takedown but Hopkins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hopkins slaps away a takedown attempt from James Jr, before circling back to the center of the mat.
James Jr lunges at Hopkins with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hopkins's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James Jr pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hopkins back to the cage. James Jr follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
James Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hopkins sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James Jr somewhat.
Grant Hopkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba James Jr.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James Jr.
James Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Hopkins takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
James Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hopkins defends it nicely.
James Jr wants to clinch up but Hopkins keeps it at a distance.
James Jr thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hopkins if he has to take too many more of those.
James Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopkins pinned against the cage. Hopkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bubba James Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A left and a right from James Jr both land. Nice combination.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
James Jr shoots for a takedown but Hopkins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James Jr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hopkins's waist but Hopkins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James Jr off to one side.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown.
James Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hopkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James Jr closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
James Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Hopkins circles away.
James Jr throws a series of strikes that have Hopkins backpedaling.
James Jr works over Hopkins's head and body with a nice combination.
James Jr fails to land the takedown.
James Jr tries to clinch but Hopkins moves out of range.
James Jr shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hopkins sprawls well. Hopkins wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James Jr gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
James Jr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hopkins counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
James Jr is trying to force a seperation but Hopkins has the dominant position.
James Jr has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hopkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James Jr's efforts to push away.
Hopkins ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hopkins no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Hopkins on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hopkins tries to get out of the position.
Hopkins looking for a sweep. Not yet Hopkins, not yet.
James Jr tries to stand but Hopkins is controlling from the bottom.
James Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hopkins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
James Jr gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
James Jr shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hopkins eats them both and turns towards James Jr to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A nice inside leg kick there by James Jr. That's going to slow Hopkins down.
James Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
James Jr lands with a nice combination. Hopkins backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Bubba James Jr dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown attempt from James Jr. James Jr gets slowly back to his feet.
James Jr throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
We've been informed that James Jr has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopkins goes for a double leg but James Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as James Jr continues to drive forward.
Grant Hopkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James Jr lands a jab-cross combination.
James Jr closes the distance and clinches up with Hopkins, looking for a takedown. James Jr pushes Hopkins against the cage but Hopkins circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hopkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hopkins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bubba James Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by James Jr.
James Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
James Jr lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
James Jr shoots in for a takedown but Hopkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grant Hopkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba James Jr.
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hopkins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James Jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hopkins's calf.
James Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hopkins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hopkins is rocked!
James Jr displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Oh Hopkins is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
James Jr clinches with his opponent.
James Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hopkins is looking for a takedown up against the cage. James Jr gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hopkins keeps control of James Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
James Jr is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage.
Hopkins seems to have got his legs back now.
James Jr manages to break the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
James Jr fails with the takedown.
Hopkins attempts a counter takedown but James Jr avoids it well and moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins misses with a looping right.
A solid leg kick lands there for James Jr.
James Jr wants to clinch.
James Jr gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James Jr wants to break the clinch but can't.
James Jr tries for a takedown but Hopkins manages to get underhooks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables James Jr to keep the fight standing.
Hopkins keeps control of James Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hopkins prevents James Jr from breaking the clinch.
James Jr has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
James Jr is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage.
Hopkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James Jr's efforts to push away.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
James Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hopkins pulls his leg out and moves away.
James Jr is working the combinations to good effect here.
A solid leg kick lands there for James Jr.
James Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hopkins circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hopkins half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hopkins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James Jr stalks Hopkins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hopkins's face. Hopkins staggers backwards, shaken.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by James Jr!
James Jr throws a combination. Hopkins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
James Jr looks to land a combination. Hopkins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
James Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James Jr scores with a leg kick.
James Jr buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Bubba James Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!
James Jr shoots for a takedown but Hopkins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopkins tries to avoid it but James Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopkins to the ground. Hopkins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hopkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
James Jr dives in for a single leg takedown but Hopkins sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Grant Hopkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba James Jr.
Hopkins takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hopkins slaps away a takedown attempt from James Jr, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hopkins closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopkins tries to avoid it but James Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopkins to the ground. Hopkins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopkins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
James Jr scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
That's one minute gone in the round.
James Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopkins pinned against the cage. Hopkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James Jr tries to clinch up but Hopkins circles away and keeps his distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James Jr.
Hopkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
James Jr scores with a hook to the body. Hopkins takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
James Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
James Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James Jr throws a one two combo.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
James Jr throws a one two combo.
Hopkins swats away the attempt to clinch by James Jr.
Hopkins tries to counter with a takedown but James Jr is quick to defend against it.
James Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James Jr goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hopkins keeps the fight on the outside.
James Jr lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hopkins wants it to stay on the feet.
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins slips a jab and a cross from James Jr.
Hopkins misses with a two punch combination.
James Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hopkins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James Jr closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hopkins circles away.
James Jr delivers a nice body kick.
Hopkins displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from James Jr.
Bubba James Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
James Jr lands a leg kick that knocks Hopkins off balance momentarily.
Hopkins displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from James Jr.
Hopkins will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nice jab there from James Jr.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
James Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hopkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
James Jr shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopkins is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from James Jr.
Hopkins tries to clinch but fails miserably
and James Jr counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
James Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hopkins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
James Jr is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hopkins rather than just go for the knockout.
Hopkins doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
James Jr lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by James Jr.
James Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
James Jr tries to clinch but Hopkins is having none of it.
It looked like Hopkins was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
James Jr is looking to clinch but Hopkins is avoiding it.
An attempted straight right counter from Hopkins misses the target.
Grant Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hopkins as he jumps to the side.
And that's the end of the fight!
Bubba James Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got James Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bubba James Jr!
In defeat, Grant Hopkins stepped up to the mic, saying 'Well, i better get a rematch, these fighters arent on my level.'.
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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
57% |
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