PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Kenny Smith (ranked 1484 p4p, 1811 weight class) and Jacob Hopson (ranked 170 p4p, 206 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by IS THIS LOVE. Hopson has chosen Down Under as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Hopson

181 cm
41
187
41 - 15 - 1

190 cm
26
185
13 - 8 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
© Trap House

Wrestler Wayfare

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenny Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacob Hopson!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hopson. That one must have hurt.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hopson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smith connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hopson scrambles back to his feet.
Kenny Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith lands a nice looking body kick.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Hopson follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Smith throws a hook but Hopson avoids it easily.
Smith works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hopson misses with a body kick.
Smith misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hopson connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hopson.
Hopson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Smith is able to avoid easily.
Smith moves out of range as Hopson throws a body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
Hopson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopson.
Smith throws a jab when Hopson was well out of range.
Smith wants to slow Hopson down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hopson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hopson misses with a body shot.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hopson can pounce on him.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hopson throws out the jab.
Smith has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Catch Wrestling L.A. in the buildup to the fight.
Hopson tries to land a leg kick but Smith saw it coming and moves away.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Hopson misses with a low kick.
Smith cracks Hopson with an open hand slap.
Smith is looking to land body kicks.
Smith looks to land a body kick but Hopson moved away.
It seemed like Hopson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hopson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Hopson tries a quick counter leg kick but Smith is wise to it.
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
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!
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A cross from Hopson lands.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hopson at a distance.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopson moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Hopson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smith works the jab nicely.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopson.
Donk. Smith catches Hopson right on the button with a cross.
Hopson is looking to land body kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hopson.
Hopson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Hopson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hopson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopson staying out of range there.
Smith tries to land a front kick but Hopson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Smith misses with a straight left.
A jab from Hopson misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smith misses with the body kick
enabling Hopson to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith lands a really nice looking cross but Hopson seems unphased.
Smith throws a hook but Hopson avoids it easily.
Hopson walks into a jab.
Smith lands with an uppercut that bounces Hopson off the cage and back into range.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopson.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Hopson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Smith has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hopson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hopson scores with a leg kick.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good work by Smith as he checks the leg kick.
Smith lands a front kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab lands there for Smith.
Hopson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smith pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hopson is out of range and Smith settles back down.
Nice body kick from Hopson.
Hopson needs to keep his hands up - Smith had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hopson checks it well.
Hopson misses with a body kick.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hopson can do to turn this around?
Hopson avoids the head kick by Smith.
Hopson throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Smith scores with a hook.
Smith is looking to clinch but Hopson is avoiding it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hopson, as that shot connected.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hopson.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Kenny Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice shot lands for Hopson.
Hopson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hopson lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hopson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hopson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hopson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Hopson.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Hopson saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith checks a leg kick.
Smith throws a push kick but Hopson slaps the foot to one side.
Hopson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Smith misses the jab.
It seemed like Hopson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good work by Smith as he checks the leg kick.
Smith smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopson moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Hopson is trying to counter with his kicks.
Hopson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nice uppercut lands for Hopson. That snapped Smith's head back.
Hopson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Smith throws a push kick but Hopson slaps the foot to one side.
Hopson misses with a body shot.
Hopson throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hopson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopson misses the body punch
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopson looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hopson has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hopson slips under a jab from Smith.
Hopson blocks the body kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hopson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hopson slips a jab from Smith.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Hopson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big left from Smith misses.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab from Smith.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hopson misses with a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Smith misses with a looping right.
Smith throws a right hand that misses
and Hopson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hopson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smith.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopson is just out of range.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Hopson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hopson misses with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith moves out of range as Hopson throws a body kick.
Hopson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Hopson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Smith looks to land a body kick but Hopson moved away.
Hopson lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
Hopson throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith is looking to land body kicks.
Smith stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hopson.
Hopson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hopson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hopson is looking to land body kicks.
Hopson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith checks a leg kick nicely.
Smith moves out of range as Hopson throws a body kick.
Smith defending well as Hopson loads up on a big left hand.
Smith is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick
and Hopson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoids the body shot from Hopson.
Smith on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith connects with a right hand. Hopson shakes it off.
Smith throws a right and a left that Hopson avoids nicely.
Smith is looking to land body kicks.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Hopson looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.
Smith jabs Hopson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopson throws a body kick that misses.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopson lands an overhand right.
Hopson moves away from the strike by Smith.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hopson - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hopson. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Hopson dodges the punch combination from Smith.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kenny Smith did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hopson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Hopson walks into a stiff left hand from Smith.
Hopson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hopson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Smith defending well as Hopson loads up on a big left hand.

Smith has Hopson up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
Smith lands a left hand.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Hopson trying to land knees to the body.
Hopson lands a left hand.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopson misses with the head strike.
Hopson misses with the head strike.
Hopson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hopson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Hopson struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith has Hopson pushed against the cage.
Hopson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hopson is defending well for now.
Hopson tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith lands an elbow inside that Hopson shrugs off.

Hopson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hopson misses with a low kick.
Smith takes one on the button.
Smith gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smith swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws the left hand but Hopson avoids the punch easily.
Hopson loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Smith there as he acknowledges the shot.
Smith lands with a kick to the ribs.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A countering left hand to the body from Hopson misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith slips under a jab from Hopson.
Hopson moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Hopson connects with a leg kick.
Hopson ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Hopson lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
Hopson throws out a leg kick but Smith moves out of range and Hopson only half commits.
Smith dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hopson. That did some damage!
Hopson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Smith moves out of range as Hopson throws a body kick.
Hopson wants to land a leg kick but Smith is out of range.
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 Kenny Smith will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith scores with a kick to the midsection.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hopson.
Hopson dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.
Smith moves out of range as Hopson throws a body kick.
Hopson throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and moves out of range.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Hopson moves out of range easily.
Hopson throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A leg kick checked by Smith.
Smith wants to clinch.
Hopson defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a leg kick that knocks Hopson off balance momentarily.
Jacob Hopson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith misses with a hook. Hopson ducked under it nicely.
Hopson misses with a low kick as Smith jumps back.
Hopson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hopson moves out of range of the strikes.
Hopson tries a quick counter leg kick but Smith is wise to it.
Hopson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hopson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith connects with a body shot that sends Hopson's belly button to the back.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hopson's sensitive parts.
A slow jab from Hopson misses its intended target.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hopson takes one on the button.
Danga de danga de dang - Hopson scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Kenny Smith has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A left lands for Smith.
Hopson moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Hopson's head but Hopson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith works the jab nicely.
Smith misses with a hook.
Hopson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hopson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hopson throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hopson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith moves away from the strike by Hopson.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hopson.
Smith tests Hopson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hopson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Smith scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hopson. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kenny Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith misses with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:46
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Smith!
Kenny Smith retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Kenny Smith thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.