PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mae Joon (ranked 1463 p4p, 549 weight class) and Jesse-James Hopson (ranked 169 p4p, 70 weight class). Hopson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Home among the gumtrees.. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Joon
vs
Hopson

170 cm
25
161
12 - 6 - 0

182 cm
24
159
12 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Pulling Guard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mae Joon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jesse-James Hopson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Joon has time to react.
Hopson misses with a body shot.
Hopson misses with a looping right.
Joon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Joon half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hopson misses with a left hand

and Joon counters with a takedown into side control.
Hopson felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Joon swings around for an armbar but Hopson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Joon's guard.
Hopson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hopson wants to pass the guard but Joon is keeping the position.

Hopson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Joon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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!

Hopson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson is pushing down on Joon's leg trying to pass to half guard. Joon is fighting to maintain full guard but Hopson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Joon's coaches at Makweingdo Academy have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Hopson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hopson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Joon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Joon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joon moves into full guard.

Joon working for a triangle but Hopson defends it easily.

Joon is looking for a triangle but Hopson pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Joon throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hopson escapes and throws Joon's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Joon is looking to reverse the position.
Joon seems a little lost for a moment, as Hopson dominates the positioning.
Joon manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hopson not doing much here.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.

Joon looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson controlling the action here.
Hopson moves nicely into side control.
Joon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Joon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Joon is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
You can see the frustration on Joon's face as Hopson controls the position.
Joon tries to buck Hopson off but Hopson is having none of it.
Joon is working hard here to advance position.
Joon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hopson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.
Hopson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Let's hope that Hopson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joon tries to get to full guard but Hopson has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesse-James Hopson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Joon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hopson lands a lovely overhand right.
Hopson swings for the body but Joon moves out of range.
Hopson is looking to clinch but Joon is avoiding it.
Joon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hopson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hopson throws a body shot but no joy.
Joon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Joon tries to counter with a takedown but Hopson is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hopson has Joon up against the cage in a clinch.
Joon blocks a body shot from Hopson.
Hopson lands with a right to the head.
Joon is trying to pull guard but Hopson has him pressed against the cage.
Joon drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joon pulls guard successfully.

Joon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hopson stopping the sweep attempt from Joon.

Joon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Joon is looking for a triangle but Hopson pushes his legs off easily.

Joon is looking for a triangle but Hopson pushes his legs off easily.
Hopson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hopson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Joon tries to get to full guard but Hopson has control of the leg.

Joon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hopson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
Hopson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Hopson.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
Well, if Hopson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Joon wants to improve his position but Hopson is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.
Hopson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.
Hopson wants to pass to mount but Joon is defending the position.
Hopson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

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.

Joon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopson pulls his head out easily.
Joon has hold of Hopson's hands but Hopson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Joon moves into full guard.

Joon has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hopson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Joon.
Hopson 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hopson trying to control the position but Joon is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse-James Hopson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hopson takes a swing at Joon's ribcage but misses.
Joon tries to counter with a takedown but Hopson is quick to defend against it.
Jesse-James Hopson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hopson connects with a crisp jab.
Joon takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Joon takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hopson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hopson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joon.
Jesse-James Hopson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Joon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joon takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hopson tries to clinch but Joon is having none of it.
Hopson looks to score with a jab to the body but Joon is just out of range.
Joon tries to counter with a takedown but Hopson is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopson moves into the clinch.
Hopson pushes Joon back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Joon decides to pull guard.

Joon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Joon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hopson defends well.

Joon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hopson is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hopson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Joon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hopson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Joon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hopson has managed to get both his arms back between Joon's legs - danger averted.
Hopson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hopson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Joon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hopson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hopson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hopson with a nice head shot there.
Mae Joon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hopson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hopson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hopson passes Joon's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Joon looking for a kimura from the bottom but Hopson passes into side control!
Joon tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hopson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hopson controls the position.
Joon tries to buck Hopson off but Hopson is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Joon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Well, if Hopson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Joon is in trouble now - Hopson has advanced to mount!
Hopson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Joon is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hopson controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joon can't escape the position.
Hopson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hopson raining down shots from the mount!
Hopson controlling from mount.
Joon is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mae Joon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopson raining down hammerfists from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse-James Hopson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hopson 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse-James Hopson!
A very excited looking Jesse-James Hopson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.