PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jihadi Joseph (ranked 6475 p4p, 2177 weight class) and Lukas Hooper (ranked 250 p4p, 113 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Joseph
vs
Hooper

175 cm
21
145
1 - 0 - 0

163 cm
28
137
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jihadi Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Lukas Hooper!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joseph with a jab.
Joseph stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Joseph wants it to stay on the feet.
Joseph seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Joseph lands a jab to the head.
A cross from Joseph lands.
A jab from Joseph finds it's way through Hooper's defenses.
Hooper shoots for a double leg takedown but Joseph sprawls well. He's pushed Hooper's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Joseph lands with a nice body punch.
Joseph dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Joseph fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hooper has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Joseph throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joseph rushes Hooper and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Joseph working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Joseph lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Hooper jumps into guard, dragging Joseph to the mat.
Hooper trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Joseph trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joseph engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Hooper looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Joseph has picked Hooper up and slammed him! Hooper can't keep hold of the triangle and Joseph manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Hooper is trying to improve his position.
Hooper is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hooper can't do much from the bottom here.
Hooper prevents Joseph from moving into mount.
Hooper wants to control but Joseph postures up.
Hooper stops Joseph from passing to mount.
Hooper told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper is being controlled here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hooper is looking for a sweep.
Hooper sneaks back into half guard.
Joseph trying to mount his opponent but Hooper defends it.

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.
Joseph with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hooper looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Joseph fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Joseph moves into the clinch.
Hooper fails to pull guard.
Jihadi Joseph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lukas Hooper.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice right hand lands inside from Joseph.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Joseph creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Joseph lands a shoulder strike.
Joseph digs a right hand underneath Hooper's ribcage. Hooper let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Joseph lands a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice straight punches there by Joseph. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Joseph.
Joseph is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Good leg kick by Joseph.
Joseph dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Joseph throws a head kick that misses.
Hooper swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hooper misses with a takedown
and Joseph counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Joseph.
Hooper shoots for a takedown but Joseph saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Joseph is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph is looking to slow Hooper down with leg kicks.
Hooper tries to work over Joseph's front leg with a kick but Joseph checks it.
Joseph scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jihadi Joseph is winning the standup battle so far.
Joseph throws a monster overhand right that drops Hooper! Joseph follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jihadi Joseph!