PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Randy The Irritator (ranked 1990 p4p, 2012 weight class) and Jesse-James Hopson (ranked 116 p4p, 117 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hopson's choice of entrance music: Home among the gumtrees.. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

The Irritator
vs
Hopson

170 cm
19
140
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
145
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Conviction
Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Randy The Irritator!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jesse-James Hopson!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Irritator misses the shot to the body.
The Irritator moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Hopson throws a big shot that misses.
The Irritator waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopson.
The Irritator avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The Irritator was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Hopson dives in and scores a takedown into The Irritator's guard.
The Irritator looking to control.
Hopson throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hopson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Irritator avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hopson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The Irritator has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Irritator is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The Irritator might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The Irritator trying to keep a closed guard but Hopson is proving a slippery customer.
The Irritator is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hopson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The Irritator keeping moving, preventing Hopson from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hopson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches The Irritator on the side of the head.

The Irritator gets a clinch.
Hopson misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson is looking to break free of the clinch but The Irritator has double underhooks.
Hopson tries to circle away but The Irritator has him pinned against the cage.
Hopson has had enough of the clinch but The Irritator keeps him there for the moment.
The Irritator lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

The Irritator breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The Irritator moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as The Irritator sprawls well. The Irritator wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopson gets slowly back to his feet.
Randy The Irritator is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hopson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hopson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The Irritator not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator has Hopson pulled in close to control his posture.
Hopson stays in close to The Irritator's body and controls the position.
Hopson tries to free his leg and advance position but The Irritator is retaining full guard.
Hopson is fighting to break The Irritator's control of his arms but The Irritator is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like The Irritator wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hopson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The Irritator moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's four 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.
Hopson looks to land a left hand but The Irritator moved out of range nicely.
The Irritator throwing a counter right hand but Hopson manages to avoid it.
The Irritator lands with a hook. Hopson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hopson fails to land the takedown.
An attempted straight right counter from The Irritator misses the target.
Hopson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The Irritator throwing a counter right hand but Hopson manages to avoid it.
The Irritator throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The Irritator moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Irritator lands a body shot.
The Irritator slips a straight right by Hopson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse-James Hopson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The Irritator misses with a straight left.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hopson.
Hopson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? The Irritator is fending him off so far but Hopson persists. Nope, The Irritator circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopson cracks The Irritator with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The Irritator definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The Irritator throwing a counter right hand but Hopson manages to avoid it.
Hopson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The Irritator slips a straight right by Hopson.
The Irritator is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hopson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
The Irritator lands with a nice body punch.
Jesse-James Hopson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopson clobbers The Irritator with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Irritator feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hopsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hopson moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopson clobbers The Irritator with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hopson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hopson throws a lazy right hand but The Irritator sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hopson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The Irritator avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hopson throws the left hand but The Irritator avoids the punch easily.
The Irritator was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hopson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The Irritator.
Nice takedown defense from The Irritator. No joy for Hopson on that attempt.
The Irritator is looking to counter punch.
Randy The Irritator has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse-James Hopson.
The fighters circling - The Irritator throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The Irritator blocks a jab.
The Irritator looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hopson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and The Irritator connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hopson scrambles back to his feet.
Jesse-James Hopson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator staying out of range there.
It looked like The Irritator wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hopson misses with a lunging right hand
and Hopson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopson slips a jab from The Irritator.
Hopson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but The Irritator defends it well.
Nice shot by Hopson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopson throws a right hand that misses
and The Irritator counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The Irritator misses with a combination

and Hopson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The Irritator seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hopson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hopson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hopson trying to control the position from guard on top but The Irritator is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopson with a flurry of punches that miss.

The Irritator is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The Irritator is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The Irritator is looking to stand up but Hopson isn't so interested in that idea.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hopson fails with a takedown attempt.
Hopson thows a left - swing and a miss!
The Irritator slips a straight right by Hopson.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hopson throws a big shot that misses.
The Irritator was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The Irritator stuffs the takedown attempt from Hopson. Hopson gets slowly back to his feet.
Hopson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hopson throws a lazy uppercut
and The Irritator counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jesse-James Hopson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hopson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hopson throws a hook to the side of The Irritator's head but The Irritator sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The Irritator throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopson.
The Irritator looks to land a combination but Hopson avoids it well.
The Irritator slips a straight right by Hopson.
The Irritator displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hopson throws out the jab.
The Irritator waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopson.
Hopson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hopson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The Irritator.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before The Irritator has time to react.
Hopson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hopson with the counter takedown but The Irritator avoids it easily.
Hopson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A counter left hand to the body from The Irritator misses its target.
Hopson misses with a looping left.
The Irritator appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The Irritator tries to move into range but Hopson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hopson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice jab there from Hopson.
The Irritator is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopson.
The Irritator wants to clinch up but Hopson keeps it at a distance.
The Irritator scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The Irritator keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopson moves away.
Hopson looks to throw the jab but The Irritator is out of range.
The Irritator slips a straight right by Hopson.
Hopson connects with a looping right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hopson cracks The Irritator with a good jab.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The Irritator throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by The Irritator.
The Irritator throws a lazy uppercut

and Hopson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator is pulling down on Hopson's head. It's preventing any offense from Hopson, at least for the moment.
The Irritator continues to stall.
Hopson controlling from the top position.
The Irritator looking to control.
Hopson content to stall in guard here.
Hopson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The Irritator is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hopson is in close to The Irritator's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The Irritator trying to control the position here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown but The Irritator shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hopson throws a lazy right hand but The Irritator sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big right from Hopson misses.
Hopson throws a right hand that misses
enabling The Irritator to counter with a crisp jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse-James Hopson really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The Irritator swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The Irritator misses with a looping right.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopson misses the target.
The Irritator appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The Irritator looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The Irritator uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopson.
Hopson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The Irritator throws a predictable looking body shot

and Hopson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The Irritator is trying is best to control the position here.
The Irritator is trying to stand.
Ground and pound from Hopson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Irritator keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Hopson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but The Irritator does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hopson slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hopson is thwarting The Irritator's attempts to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hopson misses with a looping right.
The Irritator lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hopson at a distance.
Hopson looks to land a left hand but The Irritator moved out of range nicely.
The Irritator steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And Hopson tries to counter it with a takedown but The Irritator pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hopson misses with an uppercut. The Irritator saw that one coming.
The Irritator blocks a jab.
The Irritator stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and The Irritator wants it to stay on the feet.
The Irritator throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopson throws a hook but The Irritator blocks it.
It looked like The Irritator was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopson.
Nice defenses there by The Irritator.
A jab from Hopson misses.
A jab from The Irritator misses.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The Irritator was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hopson lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Hopson misses.
The Irritator paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The Irritator takes a swing at Hopson's ribcage but misses.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hopson tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Irritator sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopson somewhat.
The Irritator slips under a jab from Hopson.
Donk. Hopson catches The Irritator right on the button with a cross.
The Irritator misses with a hook.
Hopson throws a jab but it's blocked by The Irritator.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson scores with a nice strike.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The Irritator throws a body punch but Hopson moves out of range.
Hopson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hopson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of The Irritator's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from The Irritator. Hopson does a little dance to reset his feet.
The Irritator lands a lovely overhand right.
Hopson tests The Irritator's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches The Irritator on the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse-James Hopson dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

The Irritator dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hopson throws a right hand that misses
and The Irritator connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hopson throws the left hand but The Irritator avoids the punch easily.
A counter left hand to the body from The Irritator misses its target.
Hopson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hopson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hopson shoots in looking for a takedown but The Irritator manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hopson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but The Irritator avoids it really well and circles away.
A quick step to the side and The Irritator tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The Irritator moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Irritator decides to pull guard.

The Irritator is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hopson is aware though and is defending well.
Hopson controlling from the top position.
Jesse-James Hopson has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Irritator preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hopson throws a big right hand that misses.
The Irritator is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The Irritator has his foot on Hopson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hopson works his way back into a safe position though.
Randy The Irritator has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jesse-James Hopson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The Irritator keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
An attempted straight right counter from The Irritator misses the target.
Randy The Irritator has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse-James Hopson.
Hopson misses with a looping left.
Hopson moves into range and connects with a jab.
The Irritator ducks under a wild hook from Hopson.
Hopson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopson throws a hook but The Irritator blocks it.
The Irritator takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The Irritator misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson clobbers The Irritator with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hopson shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopson throws out a loose jab but The Irritator uses good head movement to avoid it.
The Irritator throwing a counter right hand but Hopson manages to avoid it.
The Irritator gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hopson.
Hopson misses with an uppercut.
The Irritator moves out of range as Hopson strikes.
The Irritator swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A slow jab from The Irritator misses its intended target.
Hopson misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from The Irritator misses the target.
The Irritator loads up on a big right hand but Hopson slips the punch.
Hopson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Irritator drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

The Irritator clinches up with Hopson and pushes him back against the cage.
Hopson being controlled against the cage.

The Irritator pulls guard effortlessly.
The Irritator is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The Irritator has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hopson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopson trying to control but The Irritator is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jesse-James Hopson.
I've got Hopson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse-James Hopson!
Jesse-James Hopson is the new bantamweight champion!
Jesse-James Hopson thanked the fans post fight for their support.