PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nelson Hopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin St Andre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Andre has chosen When the Saints Go Marching In as his entrance music. Nelson Hopper has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopper
vs
St Andre

155 cm
28
148 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

176 cm
22
157 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nelson Hopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benjamin St Andre!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hopper shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. St Andre is trying to defend but Hopper finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hopper wants to pass to mount but St Andre is defending the position.
St Andre is trying to stand.
St Andre is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hopper working St Andre over with strikes.
Hopper looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
St Andre is trying to control but can't.

Hopper is looking for a kimura but St Andre is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hopper to get the leverage.
Hopper moves nicely into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopper controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopper tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hopper has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hopper lands a few punches from side control.
Hopper throws an elbow but St Andre slips to the side and avoids it well.
St Andre wants to control but Hopper postures up.
Hopper scores with punches from side control.
Hopper lands an elbow.

Hopper is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. St Andre knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
St Andre tries to buck Hopper off but Hopper is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopper scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopper cracks St Andre with a big elbow.
Hopper throws an elbow but St Andre slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hopper misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
St Andre is trying to improve his position.

Hopper working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hopper scoring with punches and elbows.
Hopper wants to lay and pray for a moment but St Andre keeps working.
St Andre is trying to control Hopper's posture but Hopper avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Andre taking punishment in the form of punches.
Hopper working away.
Hopper grinds an elbow into St Andre's temple.

St Andre is rocked!
Hopper working the ground and pound.
St Andre is still in real trouble! Can Hopper finish him?
Hopper in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and St Andre looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Hopper turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nelson Hopper!