PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Castle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Hopp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castle comes to the cage accompanied by Leper Messiah by Metallica. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castle
vs
Hopp

190 cm
22
203 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

173 cm
26
178 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Castle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Hopp!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Castle drives through and clinches with Hopp against the cage.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopp or not.
Hopp is trying to drag Castle to the mat but Castle just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hopp tries to score a body lock takedown but Castle shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A right hook to the body lands for Castle.
Castle comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Michael Hopp has been cut.
Castle stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hopp tries for a takedown but Castle manages to get underhooks.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Hopp.
Hopp looks gassed!
Castle stalling in the clinch.
Hopp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Knees to the body from Castle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castle works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Castle lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hopp.
Castle pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nice body punch from Castle - that landed with a thud.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopp or not.
A nice left hand lands by Castle.
Castle landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Good body shot from Castle.
Castle slowing the pace effectively.
Hopp is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Good body shot from Castle.
Hopp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A right hand to the body from Castle.
Castle is leaning against Hopp and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Good body shot from Castle.
Castle stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Castle lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopp backwards.
Castle works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Castle gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hopp.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Castle lands a right hand.
Castle lands with a short shot to the head.
Castle lands a nice uppercut.
Castle lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Castle - that landed with a thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castle makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Castle missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castle prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Castle.
A right handed body shot lands from Castle.
Castle is stalling here.
Castle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopps head.
Castle lands a body shot.
Castle stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hopp tries to pull guard but Castle won't allow it.
Hopp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Castle stalling against the cage.
Hopp wants to break free but Castle has control.
Castle lands a left hand.
Castle lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Castle.
Hopp has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Castle avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Castle digs a right hand into Hopp's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hopp's gas tank.
Castle stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Castle.
Castle lands a nice knee to the body.
Castle lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Castle as the two fighters clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Castle.
Castle has Hopp pressed against the cage.
Castle lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopp backwards.
Castle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hopp takes a shot to the head.
Hopp looking for a takedown.
A short right from Castle.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopp or not.
A left hand lands to the body for Castle.
Castle lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hopp misses with a punch to the body.
Castle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hopps head.
Castle lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Castle.
Castle content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopp can't get the takedown.
Castle stalling the fight.
Castle works on Hopp's body with a couple of short punches.

Hopp drags the fight down to the ground.
Castle would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hopp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castle tries to stand but Hopp is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hopp is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Castle looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Hopp's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hopp shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castle as he avoids it easily.
Frank Castle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castle tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Hopp counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hopp wants to lay and pray for a moment but Castle keeps working.
Hopp trying to pass the guard but Castle defending well.

Hopp is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hopp has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopp throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Castle because Hopp loaded up on that one.
Castle is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Castle on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Castle tries to get out of the position.
Hopp trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hopp lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hopp tries to control but Castle wriggling away.
Castle wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hopp throwing strikes here but Castle is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hopp can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Castle is looking to escape.

Hopp is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Castle to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Castle shrugs it off.
Hopp thowing shots but they're missing.

Hopp working for a submission but Castle is keeping him at bay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopp landing punches.
Castle tries to buck Hopp off but he can't manage it.
Hopp throws a sloppy strike and Castle uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Castle has ended up in Hopp's guard.
Hopp throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hopp manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hopp lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Castle hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopp trying to control but Castle is having none of it.
Hopp misses with a head shot.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopp controlling the position easily from mount.
Hopp trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Hopp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Hopp's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hopp shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Castle sprawls well. Castle wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopp gets slowly back to his feet.

Castle closes the distance and clinches.
Hopp drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Castle gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short body shot lands from Castle as the two fighters clinch.
Castle is working Hopp over against the cage.
Castle has Hopp pushed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Castle.
Castle lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopp backwards.
Castle has Hopp pushed against the cage.
Castle lands a shot to the body.
Good body shot from Castle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hopp is defending well for now.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.
Castle lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Castle has Hopp pushed against the cage.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.
Castle lands a body shot.
Castle is working Hopp over against the cage.
Castle lands a nice shot to the body.
Castle lands a hook to the side of the head.
Castle lands a body punch.
Castle pushes Hopp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Castle - that landed with a thud.
Frank Castle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hopp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Hopp.
Castle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hopp being controlled against the cage.
Castle lands a left hand.
The referee is keeping an eye on Castle - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopp or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopp tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hopp blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hopp is trying to break free.
Castle leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hopp is working for takedown but Castle is calmly controlling the position for now.
Castle works on Hopp's body with a couple of short punches.
Castle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hopp can do to turn this around?
Good body shot from Castle.
Castle slows down the pace here.
Hopp is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Castle pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nice body punch from Castle - that landed with a thud.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hopp or not.
Castle is leaning against Hopp and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castle is working Hopp over against the cage.
Castle lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice body punch from Castle - that landed with a thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castle lands a shot to the body.
Castle is working Hopp over against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Castle.
Hopp tries to pull guard but Castle won't allow it.
Hopp letting Castle take a breather here.
A short body shot lands from Castle as the two fighters clinch.
Castle is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Castle stalling in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Castle.
Hopp is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Castle gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Castle lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopp backwards.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Castle slowing the pace effectively.
Hopp tries a body shot but Castle blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hopp can't get the takedown.
Nice body punch from Castle.
Hopp drops down looking for an ankle pick but Castle pulls his leg out and moves away.
Castle is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castle is looking to clinch.
Castle tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Hopp counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hopp.
Hopp is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castle knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hopp on the ground.
Hopp looking to pass the guard.
Hopp has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Castle has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hopp off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Frank Castle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castle tries to clinch but Hopp is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Hopp's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hopp.
Castle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Castle has taken the fight to the clinch.
Castle lands with a short shot to the head.
Castle digs a right hand into Hopp's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hopp's gas tank.
Castle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Castle.
Castle landing knees to the body.
Castle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Castle.
Hopp takes a shot to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Castle lands a body punch.
A bit of stalling here from Castle.
Hopp tries to break the clinch but Castle is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Castle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Castle as the two fighters clinch.
Castle comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A left hand lands to the body for Castle.
Castle is leaning against Hopp and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Castle.
A body shot lands from Castle.
Castle scores with a hook to the body.
Hopp can't get the takedown.
Castle stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Castle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hopp is defending well for now.
A right hook to the body lands for Castle.
Castle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A hook to the body from Castle.
Hopp jumps guard but Castle stands there with Hopp around his waist. Hopp gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Hopp.
Castle has Hopp pressed against the cage.
Castle seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Castle is pressed up against the cage. Hopp has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Castle down to the mat. Castle avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castle moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Castle tries to clinch there but Hopp circles away.

Castle moves into the clinch.
Castle lands a body shot.
Castle softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Castle as the two fighters clinch.
Castle working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Castle lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Castle prevents a takedown attempt there.
A bit of stalling here from Castle.
Castle cracks Hopp with a nice body shot.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hopp has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Castle avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Castle slowing the pace effectively.
Castle presses Hopp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
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!
Castle lands a body shot.
Castle throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Castle pushes Hopp back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Castle stalling.
Hopp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castle is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Castle.
A body shot lands from Castle.
Castle lands a body punch.
A hook to the body from Castle.
The referee is keeping an eye on Castle - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hopp dodges an elbow strike from Castle.

Hopp has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Castle uses from the top position.

Hopp working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Castle doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Castle manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castle wanted to stand there but Hopp had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castle has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Hopp to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Castle is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Hopp pulls down on the head and he's put Castle to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Michael Hopp!
Michael Hopp is the new middleweight champion!