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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jesse-James Hopson (ranked 265 p4p, 1334 weight class) and Alan Arnolds (ranked 28 p4p, 118 weight class). Hopson comes to the cage accompanied by Home among the gumtrees.. Arnolds has chosen Free and Easy - The Almighty as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 182 cm
24
157
11 - 1 - 0 |
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173 cm
23
150
4 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jesse-James Hopson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Alan Arnolds!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopson walks into a straight right hand from Arnolds.
Hopson takes the fight into the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Arnolds has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hopson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Arnolds walks away with a smile on his face. Hopson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hopson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Arnolds sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopson somewhat.
Arnolds now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse-James Hopson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hopson or perhaps it was just good defense by Arnolds, which made it look bad.
Arnolds misses with a left hand
and Hopson counters with a shoot takedown. Arnolds fights it but they end up in guard.
Arnolds kicks Hopson off and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Arnolds feints and then cracks Hopson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hopson down.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson checks the leg kick.
Arnolds misses with a left hand
and Hopson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Arnolds's guard.
Arnolds is trying to keep Hopson in close.
Hopson trying to control but Arnolds is working from the bottom.
Arnolds lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Hopson keeping moving, preventing Arnolds from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arnolds advances to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson trying to control from the bottom.
Hopson controlling the position well.
Hopson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Arnolds's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Arnolds's back!
Hopson scores with strikes from the back.
Hopson not allowing Arnolds to control his hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopson scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Arnolds is looking for a way out.
Arnolds rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hopson is trying to control the action in half guard but Arnolds is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds is looking for a sweep. Hopson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hopson slows the pace down in half guard.
Arnolds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hopson moves nicely into side control.
Arnolds is trying to get back to half guard.
Hopson 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.
Hopson trying to control the action but Arnolds is working from the bottom.
Arnolds is trying to work for a sweep but Hopson has mounted him!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Arnolds is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hopson with shots to the head and body - Arnolds looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hopson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Arnolds is looking to escape.
Arnolds tries to hold on but Hopson pushes him away.
Hopson trying to control but Arnolds is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopson breaks from Arnolds's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hopson lands with some strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jesse-James Hopson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Hopson moves out of range of the strikes.
A head kick misses from Arnolds.
Hopson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hopson slips under a jab from Arnolds.
Hopson shoots for a double leg takedown but Arnolds sprawls well. He's pushed Hopson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Arnolds as Hopson shoots in.
Hopson has a takedown stuffed.
Arnolds throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse-James Hopson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopson is defended easily by Arnolds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Arnolds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arnolds cracks Hopson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hopson shoots and misses
and Arnolds connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Arnolds swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hopson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little jabbing left from Arnolds on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Arnolds throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopson.
Hopson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Arnolds. Arnolds obviously looking to wear him down.
Both fighters circling a little - Arnolds finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Arnolds misses with a head kick.
Hopson shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopson backing away here, and Arnolds unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hopson staying out of range there.
Hopson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Arnolds misses.
Arnolds throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds leaves Hopson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hopson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Arnolds lands a nice hook to Hopson's body. Hopson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hopson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Arnolds. Arnolds obviously looking to wear him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Arnolds on his heels. He'll look to pass Arnolds's guard now, I'm sure.
Arnolds working a defensive guard here.
Hopson throwing strikes but missing.
Arnolds looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopson is one step ahead there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hopson cracks Arnolds with a solid left hand.
Arnolds looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopson is one step ahead there.
Hopson is stalling in the full guard.
Arnolds looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hopson wants to control from the top but Arnolds keeps moving.
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.
Hopson preventing the sweep.
Arnolds punching to the body, from the bottom.
Arnolds keeping moving, preventing Hopson from controlling successfully.
Arnolds trying to control the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Arnolds chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hopson blocks a leg kick.
Arnolds throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arnolds misses with a body shot.
Alan Arnolds seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arnolds misses with a looping left.
Nice straight punches there by Arnolds. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Arnolds.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Alan Arnolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Arnolds swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arnolds misses with a leg kick.
Arnolds misses the shot to the body.
Arnolds throws a jab when Hopson was well out of range.
Hopson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Arnolds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Arnolds throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Arnolds scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Arnolds throws a leg kick
and Hopson counters with a shoot takedown. Arnolds fights it but they end up in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hopson wants to pass the guard but Arnolds is keeping the position.
Arnolds 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.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Arnolds manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hopson manages to get himself to full guard.
Hopson seems keen to control Arnolds's posture.
Arnolds is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hopson is trying to keep Arnolds in close.
Hopson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hopson wants to sweep here but Arnolds controlling him for the moment.
Hopson is trying to control the position but Arnolds postures up.
Arnolds sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hopson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Arnolds manages to get himself to full guard.
Hopson wants to control from the top but Arnolds keeps moving.
Hopson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hopson throwing strikes but missing.
Arnolds tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hopson cracks Arnolds with a solid left hand.
Hopson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Arnolds is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hopson is stalling in the full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hopson with a flurry of punches that miss.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Arnolds wants to get back to his feet but Hopson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Some wild striking there from Arnolds.
Hopson fails to land the takedown.
Arnolds motions for Hopson to come forward. Arnolds throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hopson attempts a counter takedown but Arnolds avoids it well and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopson is defended easily by Arnolds.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arnolds stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Alan Arnolds really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Arnolds with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Arnolds throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hopson blocks a jab.
Hopson tries to counter with a takedown but Arnolds is quick to defend against it.
Arnolds buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Arnolds scores with a nice right hand.
Hopson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Arnolds.
Arnolds misses with a leg kick
and Hopson counters with a shoot takedown. Arnolds fights it but they end up in guard.
Hopson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hopson trying to control the position from guard on top but Arnolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hopson lands a couple of elbows.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson throwing strikes but missing.
Hopson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Arnolds has his hands on Hopson's head, controlling the position.
Hopson works over Arnolds with some ground and pound from guard.
Arnolds 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.
That's two 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.
Arnolds is trying to keep Hopson in close.
Arnolds can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hopson controls the pace.
Arnolds keeping moving, preventing Hopson from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hopson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hopson throwing strikes from guard but Arnolds blocks nicely.
Hopson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hopson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Arnolds tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Arnolds has control of Hopson's left arm, preventing Hopson from doing any damage.
Hopson wants to control from the top but Arnolds keeps moving.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hopson shoots for a double leg takedown but Arnolds sprawls well. He's pushed Hopson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Arnolds throws a hook to the side of Hopson's head but Hopson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arnolds but Arnolds pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hopson moves away from the strike by Arnolds.
Arnolds tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopson was well out of range. Poor timing from Arnolds.
Hopson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Arnolds throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopson.
Arnolds swings for the body but Hopson moves out of range.
Arnolds throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arnolds defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hopson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse-James Hopson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Arnolds tries to avoid it but Hopson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Arnolds to the ground. Arnolds escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Arnolds throws a push kick but Hopson slaps the foot to one side.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arnolds but Arnolds pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alan Arnolds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arnolds throws a leg kick but Hopson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hopson misses with a takedown attempt
and Arnolds counters with a one-two to the body.
No luck for Hopson with that takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Alan Arnolds dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Arnolds connects with a solid leg kick.
Jesse-James Hopson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopson moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Arnolds misses with a kick to the body
and Hopson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Arnolds tries to roll over but Hopson keeps him under control.
Arnolds wants to control but Hopson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hopson is looking to take a break and control but Arnolds is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arnolds is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hopson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hopson's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Arnolds's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson trying to control the hands but Arnolds won't let him.
Hopson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Hopson breaks Arnolds's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Arnolds bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hopson's guard.
Arnolds preventing the sweep.
Arnolds trying to control but Hopson is working from the bottom.
Arnolds is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Arnolds stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hopson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hopson keeping moving, preventing Arnolds from controlling successfully.
Arnolds working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hopson is controlling Arnolds's posture.
Arnolds wants to control from the top but Hopson keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hopson is on top in guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arnolds is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Arnolds controlling the action here.
Hopson is doing well to control the position and prevent Arnolds from advancing to side control.
Alan Arnolds is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hopson trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Arnolds in particular looking to stall.
Arnolds wants to pass to mount but Hopson is defending the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson is holding on to half guard well.
Arnolds is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hopson is trying to control but can't.
Arnolds is looking to advance position but Hopson won't allow it.
Arnolds takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arnolds's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hopson swings for the body but Arnolds moves out of range.
And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Arnolds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Arnolds has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Arnolds!
Alan Arnolds is the new featherweight champion!
Alan Arnolds seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
39% |
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