PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Regis Rumblebelly (ranked 3629 p4p, 306 weight class) and Joe Hooks (ranked 6529 p4p, 409 weight class). Joe Hooks is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rumblebelly
vs
Hooks

159 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Regis Rumblebelly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Hooks!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rumblebelly walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hooks lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hooks uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rumblebelly has time to react.
Hooks misses with the combination.
Hooks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hooks misses with a body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Hooks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hooks.
Hooks just misses with a punch to the body.
Rumblebelly changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Rumblebelly rushes Hooks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rumblebelly is looking for a takedown.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rumblebelly tries to clinch but Hooks is having none of it.
Nice uppercut lands for Hooks. That snapped Rumblebelly's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hooks rushes Rumblebelly and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Hooks manages to break the clinch.
Joe Hooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rumblebelly takes a swing at Hooks's ribcage but misses.
Rumblebelly lands a jab-cross combination.
No joy there for Hooks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hooks clinches up with Rumblebelly and pushes him back against the cage.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hooks has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hooks closes the distance and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Hooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hooks has a couple of punches blocked by Rumblebelly.
Rumblebelly is looking for a takedown.
Hooks lands a left hand.
Hooks is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Hooks.
Hooks lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hooks lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rumblebelly backwards.
Hooks tries a knee to the head but Rumblebelly blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hooks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joe Hooks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hooks lunges at Rumblebelly with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rumblebelly's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Hooks.
A combination from Hooks does no damage.
Hooks connects with a solid leg kick.
Rumblebelly has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hooks.
Hooks takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hooks tries to clinch up.
Hooks is looking to clinch.
Hooks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rumblebelly.
Rumblebelly appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hooks swats away the attempt to clinch by Rumblebelly.

Hooks has Rumblebelly up against the cage in a clinch.
Rumblebelly drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hooks pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Regis Rumblebelly. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rumblebelly has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hooks finds it's way round the side to connect with Rumblebelly's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rumblebelly has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Hooks forces Rumblebelly back against the cage and clinches.
Good body shot from Hooks.
Hooks swings wildly with an uppercut but Rumblebelly uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hooks lands a right hand.
Hooks blocks an uppercut.
Hooks pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rumblebelly is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hooks is defending well.

Hooks breaks the clinch.

Hooks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short right from Hooks on the inside.
Rumblebelly wants a takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rumblebelly is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hooks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Hooks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hooks is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Rumblebelly had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rumblebelly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hooks.
Hooks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hooks moves into range and clinches up with Rumblebelly.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hooks lands a nice shot that snaps Rumblebelly's head back.

Hooks closes the distance and pushes Rumblebelly back into the cage.
Rumblebelly wants to take the fight to the mat but Hooks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Hooks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice straight punches there by Hooks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hooks.

Rumblebelly gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hooks pushes off an throws an elbow but Rumblebelly leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hooks lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hooks lands with a light punch inside.

Hooks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hooks fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rumblebelly checks it well.
Rumblebelly takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hooks dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hooks closes the distance and clinches.
Hooks is looking to break free of the clinch but Rumblebelly has double underhooks.
Hooks misses with a hook from the clinch.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rumblebelly darts in and clinches Hooks up against the cage.

Rumblebelly gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hooks tries to kick Rumblebelly off but Rumblebelly keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rumblebelly wants to take a breather but Hooks is having none of it.
Rumblebelly is really struggling to control Hooks but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Rumblebelly is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Hooks reverses the position - he's now on top in Rumblebelly's guard.
Hooks wants to stand but Rumblebelly has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooks preventing the sweep.
Hooks looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
My spies in Doom's Gym inform me that Hooks has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Hooks wants to control from the top but Rumblebelly keeps moving.
Hooks has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Rumblebelly looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hooks passes into side control.

Hooks stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hooks thuds his right hand into Rumblebelly's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Hooks moves into the clinch.
Rumblebelly misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hooks works on Rumblebelly's body with a couple of short punches.

Hooks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hooks buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rumblebelly takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hooks scores with a jab. Rumblebelly acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hooks misses with an attempted mid kick.
Some wild striking there from Hooks.

Hooks closes the distance and pushes Rumblebelly back into the cage.

Hooks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hooks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rumblebelly walks into a stiff left hand from Hooks.
Joe Hooks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice sprawl there from Hooks as Rumblebelly shoots in.
Rumblebelly shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rumblebelly slips a jab from Hooks.
A lazy left from Hooks finds it's target.
Hooks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rumblebelly. That did some damage!
Rumblebelly stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hooks.
Rumblebelly tries to clinch there but Hooks circles away.
Hooks connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rumblebelly's hands.

Rumblebelly forces Hooks back against the cage and clinches.
Rumblebelly with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short right from Hooks on the inside.
Hooks lands a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rumblebelly blocks the elbow strike.

Hooks manages to break the clinch.
Hooks throws a leg kick but Rumblebelly moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Rumblebelly closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hooks lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rumblebelly leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hooks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hooks wants to get back to striking at distance but Rumblebelly won't allow it.

Hooks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rumblebelly wants to clinch up but Hooks keeps it at a distance.
Hooks fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rumblebelly is out of range.
Rumblebelly fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rumblebelly takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rumblebelly moves away from the strike by Hooks.
Rumblebelly with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hooks to score with a decent uppercut.
Jab by Hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hooks 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! This is the final round!

Rumblebelly doesn't manage to clinch there - Hooks circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hooks, right into the meat.
Rumblebelly tries to clinch up but Hooks circles away and keeps his distance.

Hooks clinches.
Hooks has a couple of punches blocked by Rumblebelly.
A short right from Hooks.
Hooks lands with a right to the head.

Hooks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hooks lands with a straight right. Rumblebelly didn't see that one coming.
Hooks connects with a leg kick. Rumblebelly looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rumblebelly looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hooks is fending him off so far but Rumblebelly persists. Nope, Hooks circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick lands from Hooks.

Rumblebelly clinches up with Hooks and pushes him back against the cage.
Hooks lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hooks breaks from the clinch.
Rumblebelly takes one to the chin there.
Hooks lands a head kick. Rumblebelly smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooks throws a good cross that connects.
Rumblebelly uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hooks.
Hooks scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rumblebelly in his tracks.
Rumblebelly moves in looking to clinch but Hooks pushes him off.

Hooks clinches up with Rumblebelly and pushes him back against the cage.
Hooks lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hooks fails to land.
Rumblebelly stalling in the clinch but Hooks improves position.
Hooks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rumblebelly avoids the elbow strike from Hooks, against the cage.
Hooks throws a punch but it's blocked by Rumblebelly.
Rumblebelly has Hooks pressed against the cage.
Hooks misses with a punch on the inside.

Hooks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hooks forces Rumblebelly back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rumblebelly tries to stall but Hooks uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hooks works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hooks lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rumblebelly backwards.
Rumblebelly is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hooks being controlled against the cage.
Hooks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hooks.
Hooks scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rumblebelly looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hooks is pressed up against the cage. Rumblebelly has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hooks down to the mat. Hooks avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Rumblebelly gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rumblebelly takes a shot to the head.
Hooks blocks an elbow strike from Rumblebelly.

Hooks manages to break the clinch.
Rumblebelly goes for a double leg but Hooks avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hooks continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Regis Rumblebelly. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hooks scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooks clobbers Rumblebelly with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hooks's corner calls for a 1-2. Hooks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hooks tries to clinch there but Rumblebelly circles away.
Rumblebelly fails in his attempt to clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Hooks there.
Hooks scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hooks throws a jab but it's blocked by Rumblebelly.
Hooks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rumblebelly.
Rumblebelly checks a low kick from Hooks.
Rumblebelly takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hooks ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hooks's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hooks duly obliges.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hooks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Rumblebelly is rocked!
Rumblebelly shoots in and drives through. Hooks sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hooks has closed the distance and engaged Rumblebelly in a clinch.

Hooks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rumblebelly fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hooks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Regis Rumblebelly is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Good leg kick by Hooks there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rumblebelly gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hooks fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rumblebelly on the side of the head.
Joe Hooks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hooks cracks Rumblebelly with a good jab.
Hooks scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rumblebelly in his tracks.
Hooks connects with a right hand. Rumblebelly shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hooks motions for Rumblebelly to come forward. Hooks throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rumblebelly moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hooks wants to clinch up but Rumblebelly keeps it at a distance.
Regis Rumblebelly has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hooks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Hooks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hooks has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Hooks!