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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesse-James Hopson (ranked 490 p4p, 790 weight class) and Ricky Alvarez (ranked 61 p4p, 87 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hopson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Home among the gumtrees.. Ricky Alvarez acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
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| 182 cm
25
159
13 - 2 - 0 |
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188 cm
25
165
13 - 9 - 1 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jesse-James Hopson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Alvarez misses.
Alvarez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A quick step to the side and Hopson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alvarez throws out a loose jab but Hopson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hopson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hopson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Alvarez looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hopson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hopson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hopson connects with a nice short shot to Alvarez's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez is not content to let Hopson control the position.
Hopson stalling away here and it's allowed Alvarez to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Alvarez is pulling down on Hopson's head. It's preventing any offense from Hopson, at least for the moment.
Alvarez is looking to stand up but Hopson isn't so interested in that idea.
Hopson wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Hopson looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alvarez is on top in guard.
Alvarez wants to stand and escape but instead Hopson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hopson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Alvarez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alvarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
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.
Alvarez wants to stand but Hopson is controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
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 in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopson wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Alvarez pushes Hopson off and gets back to his feet.
Alvarez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Alvarez there as he acknowledges the shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez cracks Hopson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Alvarez misses with a combination
and Hopson counters with a stiff right hand.
Hopson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As Hopson backs off Alvarez throws a huge counter combo but Hopson manages to avoid it all.
Alvarez gets caught flat footed, as Hopson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Alvarez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hopson controls the pace.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Hopson from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alvarez is keeping the position for now.
Alvarez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hopson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jesse-James Hopson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Alvarez slaps away a takedown attempt from Hopson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Alvarez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hopson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopson throwing a counter right hand but Alvarez manages to avoid it.
Alvarez throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hopson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hopson throws a poor cross that misses
and Hopson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hopson throws a shot from downtown. Alvarez moves away and avoids it.
Alvarez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Alvarez lands a nice hook to Hopson's body. Hopson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ricky Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hopson tries to counter with a takedown but Alvarez is quick to defend against it.
Hopson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hopson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopson avoids a wild elbow strike from Alvarez.
Hopson swings wildly with an uppercut but Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alvarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alvarez scores with a knee to the head.
Alvarez trying to land knees to the body.
Alvarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hopson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Good body shot from Hopson.
Hopson tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hopson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the head but Hopson blocks with his arms.
Hopson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alvarez takes a shot to the head.
Alvarez blocks a body shot from Hopson.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hopson blocks it with crossed arms.
Alvarez misses with a knee to the head.
Hopson lands a body shot in the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson lands a shot to the body.
Hopson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alvarez controls his hands.
Alvarez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hopson backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alvarez looking to throw knees to the head but Hopson is blocking nicely.
Hopson lands with a left to the head.
Hopson tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alvarez misses with a knee to the head.
Hopson misses with a body punch.
Alvarez takes a shot to the head.
Hopson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Alvarez.
Still in the clinch, Hopson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Alvarez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Hopson with that takedown attempt.
A nice side step and Alvarez releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse-James Hopson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopson blocks a head kick by Alvarez.
Hopson avoids the head kick by Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hopson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hopson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopson gets a clinch.
Hopson managing to block the knees to the body from Alvarez.
Alvarez missing with knees to the body.
Hopson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alvarez has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hopson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Alvarez can turn it around.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hopson avoids it.
Alvarez pushes off an throws an elbow but Hopson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hopson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alvarez controls his hands.
Alvarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hopson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hopson tries a body shot but Alvarez blocks it.
Hopson presses Alvarez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Alvarez is trying to force a seperation but Hopson has the dominant position.
Alvarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hopson avoids it.
Hopson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alvarez controls his hands.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alvarez prevents a body shot from Hopson.
Hopson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Alvarez.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hopson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hopson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hopson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvarezs head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alvarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hopson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hopson lands with a right to the head.
Hopson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Alvarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alvarez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hopson.
Hopson tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Hopson on the inside.
Hopson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hopson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopson.
Hopson lands a body punch.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.
Hopson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jesse-James Hopson dominated that second round.
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.
Alvarez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopson.
Hopson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alvarez pinned against the cage. Alvarez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alvarez doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Alvarez connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopson scores with a body shot.
Hopson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hopson rushes Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson managing to block the knees to the body from Alvarez.
Hopson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Alvarez is looking to break free of the clinch but Hopson has double underhooks.
Alvarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hopson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the head but Hopson blocks with his arms.
Alvarez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Alvarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hopson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopson goes for a takedown attempt but Alvarez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Alvarez misses with a two punch combination.
Hopson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopson.
Alvarez is looking for the big counter here.
Alvarez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopson.
A telegraphed right hand from Alvarez misses the target.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson slips a straight right by Alvarez.
Alvarez looks for the body kick but Hopson saw that one coming.
It looked like Hopson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Alvarez.
Ricky Alvarez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big left from Hopson misses.
Alvarez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Alvarez to the ground. Hopson is now in Alvarez's guard.
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!
Alvarez trying to keep a closed guard but Hopson is proving a slippery customer.
Hopson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopson is one step ahead there.
Hopson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hopson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alvarez's head.
Hopson throws a big right hand that misses.
Hopson throws an elbow that misses. Alvarez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hopson's guard. Nice move by Alvarez!
Hopson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
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.
Alvarez wants to stand but Hopson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopson managing to control the position.
Alvarez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.
Alvarez wants to stand and escape but instead Hopson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopson scoring with some ground and pound.
Alvarez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Jesse-James Hopson did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Nice shot by Hopson.
Hopson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alvarez keeps the fight on the outside.
It seemed like Alvarez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hopson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hopson tries for a takedown but Alvarez circles away easily
enabling Alvarez to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hopson is out of range and Alvarez settles back down.
Alvarez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hopson.
Alvarez is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hopson scores with a hook to the body. Alvarez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hopson looking to score a takedown here. Alvarez is defending well but Hopson drives through and ends up in Alvarez's guard.
Alvarez has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hopson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hopson goes for a double leg but Alvarez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Alvarez continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse-James Hopson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez looking to throw knees to the head but Hopson is blocking nicely.
Alvarez misses with a knee to the head.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the head but Hopson blocks with his arms.
Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alvarez is trying to force a seperation but Hopson has the dominant position.
Hopson scores with a shot to the side of Alvarez's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch on the inside from Hopson fails to land.
Hopson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alvarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alvarez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hopson tries to throw a body punch but Alvarez avoids it by throwing Hopson back against the cage.
Alvarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hopson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alvarez's elbow.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopson looking for a takedown.
Hopson pushes Alvarez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hopson blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alvarez misses with a knee strike.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Hopson tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alvarez wants to get back to striking at distance but Hopson won't allow it.
Hopson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alvarez's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Hopson.
Alvarez trying to land knees to the body.
Alvarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hopson scores with a hook to the body.
Hopson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hopson lands a body punch.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hopson lands with a right to the head.
Alvarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Hopson avoids the damage to the body.
Alvarez breaks from the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Alvarez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hopson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Alvarez will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Hopson wants to control but Alvarez is keeping him busy.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet.
Alvarez is trying to escape the position but Hopson is controlling the position.
Alvarez taking a bit of punishment here - Hopson scoring with strikes.
Jesse-James Hopson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hopson trying to control the position but Alvarez is working away.
Alvarez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is in trouble now - Hopson has advanced to mount!
Hopson controlling from the full mount.
Hopson tries to control but Alvarez wriggling away.
Hopson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hopson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alvarez is looking to escape.
You get the feeling that Alvarez really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Jesse-James Hopson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Hopson misses with an uppercut.
Jesse-James Hopson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Alvarez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopson moves away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Alvarez.
Hopson moves out of range as Alvarez throws a body kick.
Hopson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopson tries to clinch there but Alvarez circles away.
Hopson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alvarez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Alvarez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hopson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hopson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson tries to move to full mount but Alvarez actually manages to regain half guard.
Still in half guard, Hopson seems content to control.
Alvarez pushes Hopson off looking to stand but Hopson dives back in and keeps control.
Hopson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Alvarez is trying to stand back up but Hopson is controlling him
Hopson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alvarez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hopson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Alvarez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alvarez is trying to control but can't.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet.
Hopson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Hopson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alvarez is staying active underneath Hopson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hopson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hopson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez pushes Hopson off looking to stand but Hopson dives back in and keeps control.
Alvarez is doing well to control the position and prevent Hopson from advancing to side control.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Alvarez throws a body punch but Hopson moves out of range.
Hopson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Alvarez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hopson connects with the punch.
Hopson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alvarez throws a body kick that misses
and Hopson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Hopson from controlling successfully.
Alvarez wants to stand but Hopson is controlling the position.
Hopson trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Hopson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
Ricky Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Alvarez's guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse-James Hopson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hopson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 50:45
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse-James Hopson!
Jesse-James Hopson 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
47% |
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