PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas's entrance music is Devil went down to Georgia. A fine choice. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Thomas
vs
Hopkins

188 cm
27
202 lbs
20 - 9 - 1

180 cm
27
190 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

[CBK] Legal Highs ↑ 160Q STAMINA + EN
[CBK] Legal Highs ↑ 160Q STAMINA + EN

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 20 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, John Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Malcolm Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins misses with a looping left.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.

Hopkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Thomas looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Thomas is looking to reverse the position.
Hopkins throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Thomas tries to improve position but can't.
Thomas wants to control but Hopkins postures up.

Hopkins thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hopkins advances to full mount.
Hopkins throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thomas is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas prevents Hopkins from taking his back.
Hopkins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thomas is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hopkins has hold of Thomas's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Thomas manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Thomas is trying to reverse the position but instead Hopkins has taken his back - oops!

Hopkins patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Thomas breaks Hopkins's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Hopkins blocks nicely.
Thomas throws a big elbow that misses.
Hopkins is pulling down on Thomas's head to control his posture.
Thomas advances to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ground and pound from Thomas.
Thomas looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thomas is thwarting Hopkins's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hopkins keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hopkins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thomas trying to control the action but Hopkins is working from the bottom.
Hopkins is trying is best to control the position here.
Hopkins is looking for a sweep. Thomas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Thomas is looking for a kimura here.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Hopkins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hopkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thomas working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hopkins's thigh. Hopkins counters though and makes it back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas postures up in Hopkins's guard and throws a big left but Hopkins blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Thomas will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hopkins misses with a looping right.
Thomas throws a jab when Hopkins was well out of range.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.

Thomas gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hopkins to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hopkins passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Hopkins is very close to passing his half guard.

Thomas actively working from the bottom here.

Thomas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hopkins pulls his head out easily.

Thomas is defending against the submission attempts here by Hopkins.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hopkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hopkins is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thomas sees it coming and defends easily.
Hopkins is looking to advance position but Thomas won't allow it.
Thomas is trying to control but Hopkins manages to pass to mount!
Thomas tries to lock up and control but Hopkins gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hopkins putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thomas really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hopkins moves to back control.
Thomas breaks Hopkins's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomas slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Hopkins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
Hopkins keeping control of the position.
Hopkins trying to control here.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hopkins is trying to control but can't.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hopkins is trying to stand back up but Thomas is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hopkins defending well though.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Hopkins is defending well.
Hopkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thomas is working away from the top position though.
Hopkins gets back to full guard.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins wants to stand and escape but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas scoring with punches to the head and body.
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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big left from Hopkins misses.
Hopkins tries to score with a low kick but Thomas moves his leg out of the way.
Thomas throws a combination. Hopkins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Thomas takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hopkins throws an overhand right that lands on Thomas's shoulder, as Thomas tries to avoid the shot.
Thomas misses with a left hand
and Hopkins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thomas lands a slapping body shot.
Thomas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thomas.
Nice jab there from Thomas.
Thomas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hopkins manages to avoid it.
Hopkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Nice straight punches there by Thomas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thomas.
Thomas uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hopkins has time to react.
Hopkins tried to score with a low kick but Thomas checks it.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
Hopkins takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thomas circles away.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopkins.
Thomas works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins misses with a body punch
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hopkins thinking.
Thomas scores with a body shot.
Hopkins throws a shot from downtown. Thomas moves away and avoids it.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thomas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hopkins looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hopkins throws a hook but Thomas blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a looping right.
Thomas takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hopkins is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range.
Hopkins tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas blocks a jab.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Thomas there.
Thomas swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hopkins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hopkins shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.
John Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malcolm Hopkins.
Hopkins misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a body shot.
Hopkins scores with a punch to the head.
Hopkins misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Hopkins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thomas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hopkins throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins fails with the takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
John Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thomas clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Hopkins darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Thomas is looking for a sweep. Hopkins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hopkins is working for a submission of some sort.
Thomas trying to hold on to Hopkins's head to control him but Hopkins postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is defending against the submission attempts here by Hopkins.
Thomas is looking to improve his position.
Thomas moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Thomas is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hopkins preventing the sweep.
Thomas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thomas has control of Hopkins's left arm, preventing Hopkins from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins looking to pass the guard.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hopkins defends well.
Hopkins passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thomas desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Thomas wants to get back to full guard.

Hopkins is looking for a kimura but Thomas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hopkins to get the leverage.
Thomas trying to control but Hopkins postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to get back to full guard.

Hopkins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Thomas tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hopkins scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thomas controlling the position well.
Thomas is looking to control Hopkins's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thomas avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Thomas reverses the position - he's now on top in Hopkins's guard.
Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Hopkins blocks nicely.
Thomas slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thomas swings around for an armbar but Hopkins sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thomas's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that John Thomas will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A lazy left from Hopkins finds it's target.
Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thomas defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Hopkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Thomas.
Thomas misses with a hook to the body
and Hopkins counters with a stiff right hand.
Thomas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas throws an overhand right that lands on Hopkins's shoulder, as Hopkins tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins digs a good body shot into Thomas's ribs.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins misses with a wild combination.
Thomas throws out a leg kick but Hopkins moves out of range and Thomas only half commits.
Thomas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hopkins.
Hopkins shoots for a takedown but Thomas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hopkins misses with a right hand
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Danga de danga de dang - Thomas scores with a four punch combination!
Thomas is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Hopkins walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hopkins throws out a loose jab but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Hopkins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hopkins shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Thomas eats them both and turns towards Hopkins to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
John Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a wild combination.
John Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hopkins's sensitive parts.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hopkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thomas jabs Hopkins to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Thomas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thomas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hopkins.
Thomas misses the shot to the body.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Hopkins sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Malcolm Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopkins lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thomas at a distance.
Thomas is looking to wear down Hopkins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Thomas misses the jab.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thomas throws a wild body kick that Hopkins sees coming a mile off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Thomas.
Well Thomas 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 48:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46

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