PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Danny Lynch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malcolm Hopkins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lynch
vs
Hopkins

190 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Lynch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Malcolm Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hopkins clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Hopkins.
Hopkins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lynch prevents it.

Lynch gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Hopkins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lynch defends well.
Hopkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hopkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hopkins controlling the position.
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Lynch from controlling successfully.
Hopkins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lynch!
Hopkins sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins has hold of Lynch's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Lynch manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Hopkins is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Lynch has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Lynch!
Hopkins wants to improve his position but instead Lynch has moved into half guard.
Lynch seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Hopkins gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopkins is trying to keep Lynch in close.
Hopkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lynch is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lynch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lynch landing with the ground and pound.
Lynch trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hopkins had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lynch defends it easily.
Hopkins looking for a sweep. Not yet Hopkins, not yet.
Lynch wants to control from the top but Hopkins keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hopkins keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Danny Lynch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lynch tries to clinch up

and Hopkins counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynch tries to circle away but Hopkins has him pinned against the cage.
Lynch wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage.
Hopkins letting Lynch take a breather here.
Lynch wants to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lynch creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lynch drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hopkins pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hopkins drives through and clinches with Lynch against the cage.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Lynch manages to get underhooks.
Lynch gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Danny Lynch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malcolm Hopkins.
Lynch stalling in the clinch but Hopkins improves position.

That's four 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.
Hopkins has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lynch is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hopkins tries to score a body lock takedown but Lynch shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lynch is trying to drag Hopkins to the mat but Hopkins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lynch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hopkins tries to bum rush Lynch with a series of wild strikes but Lynch uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lynch shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lynch takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lynch closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hopkins counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Hopkins dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lynch tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hopkins counters with a takedown into side control.
Lynch pushes Hopkins away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hopkins gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Hopkins tries for a kimura but Lynch is defending well.
Lynch wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Lynch bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Lynch misses with a double jab.
Hopkins ducks right into an uppercut from Lynch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lynch fails with the takedown
and Hopkins counters with a low kick, right behind Lynch 's knee.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopkins scoring well with a low kick there.
Danny Lynch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lynch throws a series of punches but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins scores with a hook to the body. Lynch takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lynch has his takedown stuffed
and Hopkins counters with a low kick, right behind Lynch 's knee.
Hopkins throws a head kick but Lynch moves out of range.

Hopkins moves into the clinch.
Hopkins has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lynch avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hopkins drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hopkins looking for a takedown.
Danny Lynch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malcolm Hopkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lynch misses with some punches.
Lynch wants to break free but Hopkins has control.
Hopkins is trying to drag Lynch to the mat but Lynch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hopkins is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lynch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Hopkins turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hopkins trying to control the action but Lynch is working from the bottom.
Hopkins throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lynch is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hopkins connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lynch pushes Hopkins away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hopkins gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lynch is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hopkins wants to control but Lynch is keeping him busy.
Lynch is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hopkins tries to advance to mount but can't.

Hopkins is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lynch is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lynch pushes Hopkins away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hopkins gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

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.
Lynch tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Hopkins working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Hopkins looking to secure an arm triangle but Lynch defends it well.
Hopkins controlling the pace for now.
Lynch avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hopkins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Hopkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hopkins moves into the clinch.
Hopkins stops a takedown attempt from Lynch.
Lynch wants to break free but Hopkins has control.
Hopkins is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lynch looking for a takedown.
Lynch misses with the head strike.
Lynch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Lynch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lynch doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hopkins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hopkins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lynch fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lynch shoots and misses
and Hopkins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Hopkins moves into the clinch.
Hopkins gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lynch.

Hopkins lands a takedown into guard.
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.
Hopkins postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hopkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Lynch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hopkins passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lynch is pushing Hopkins's head away, looking to escape. Hopkins manages to hold on to the position though.
Hopkins has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Lynch!
Lynch's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Hopkins is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lynch can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hopkins wants to control the pace but Lynch is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Hopkins connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Hopkins is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Hopkins extends the arm and Lynch is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Malcolm Hopkins!