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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Bulman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nelson Hopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bulman's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Opposite of Adults. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 180 cm
22
153 lbs
10 - 8 - 0 |
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155 cm
29
156 lbs
6 - 5 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful |
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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
10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Bulman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nelson Hopper!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopper scores with a takedown into Bulman's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Bulman is adopting a defensive guard.
Bulman wants to stand up but Hopper is controlling him.
Bulman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hopper's guard.
Hopper not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hopper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bulman won't allow Hopper to sweep him here.
Bulman trying to control but Hopper is working from the bottom.
Bulman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopper keeping moving, preventing Bulman from controlling successfully.
Bulman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bulman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hopper seems keen to control Bulman's posture.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hopper shoots for a takedown but Bulman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bulman stuffs the takedown.
Bulman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bulman wants it to stay on the feet.
Mark Bulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Hopper.
Hopper feints and as Bulman raises his hands in defense, Hopper changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bulman has his hands on Hopper's head, controlling the position.
Bulman working a defensive guard here.
Bulman looking for a sweep. Not yet Bulman, not yet.
Bulman has his foot on Hopper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hopper works his way back into a safe position though.
Bulman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bulman wants to get back to his feet but Hopper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bulman has his foot on Hopper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hopper works his way back into a safe position though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bulman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hopper passes into half guard.
Bulman tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bulman is looking for a sweep. Hopper is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hopper is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hopper is thwarting Bulman's attempts to control the position.
Hopper wants to control but Bulman is keeping him busy.
Hopper looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hopper not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bulman trying to control here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper wants to take a breather but Bulman is having none of it.
Bulman wants to improve his position but Hopper is controlling well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hopper is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bulman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bulman gets full guard.
Bulman has his hands on Hopper's head, controlling the position.
Bulman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hopper's guard.
Hopper is trying to control the position but Bulman postures up.
Hopper wants to stand but Bulman is controlling the position.
Bulman pushing down on Hopper's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopper keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hopper manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Bulman throws a body punch but Hopper moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Bulman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bulman shoots in for a takedown but Hopper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bulman sprawls well. Bulman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopper gets slowly back to his feet.
Bulman shoots for a double leg takedown but Hopper sprawls well. He's pushed Bulman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bulman throws a lazy right hand but Hopper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bulman keeps the fight on the outside.
Bulman lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hopper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bulman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopper misses with a few strikes there.
Bulman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopper is defended easily by Bulman.
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 Mark Bulman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Hopper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bulman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hopper scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hopper shoots in but no luck this time.
Bulman leaves Hopper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mark Bulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Hopper.
Hopper shoots in for a double leg but Bulman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice sprawl there from Bulman as Hopper shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hopper.
Nelson Hopper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopper misses with a takedown
and Bulman counters with a left and a right that stings Hopper.
Bulman throws a right hand that Hopper ducks under and follows up with a left that Hopper also avoids with ease.
Bulman lands with a right hand.
Hopper fails with a takedown attempt.
Nelson Hopper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopper is breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulman connects with a jab.
Hopper avoids the body shot from Bulman.
Bulman misses with a wild body shot.
Hopper tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bulman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hopper somewhat.
Bulman throws out a loose jab but Hopper uses good head movement to avoid it.
A combination from Bulman does no damage.
Bulman leaves Hopper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bulman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hopper to the ground. Bulman is now in Hopper's guard.
Hopper keeping full guard, as Bulman tries to pass.
Bulman is stalling in the full guard.
Hopper is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulman is trying to maintain the position but Hopper is very close to passing his half guard.
Bulman has hold of Hopper's hands but Hopper slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bulman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mark Bulman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bulman is on top in guard.
Hopper wants to sweep here but Bulman controlling him for the moment.
Bulman trying to control but Hopper is working from the bottom.
Bulman cracks Hopper with a solid left hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bulman trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bulman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hopper wants to sweep but no luck.
Bulman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hopper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bulman trying to control the position from guard on top but Hopper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bulman gets to his feet. Hopper looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hopper takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bulman is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Bulman cracks Hopper with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Both fighters circling a little - Hopper finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bulman is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hopper is defended easily by Bulman.
Hopper ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bulman moves away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bulman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hopper quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bulman prevents Hopper from improving his position.
Bulman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hopper is trying to get back to full guard.
Hopper is looking to control Bulman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hopper avoid being mounted?
Bulman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bulman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bulman working over Hopper with some ground and pound. Hopper looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bulman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bulman connects with a nice short shot to Hopper's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mark Bulman dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Bulman connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hopper momentarily.
A jab from Bulman misses.
Bulman shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hopper looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bulman landing some decent shots from guard.
Hopper keeping moving, preventing Bulman from controlling successfully.
Hopper is pulling down on Bulman's head to control his posture.
Hopper keeping moving, preventing Bulman from controlling successfully.
Hopper is trying to control the position but Bulman postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bulman connects with a single shot there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hopper!
Bulman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulman cracks Hopper with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hopper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bulman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hopper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bulman is looking for a triangle but Hopper pushes his legs off easily.
Bulman keeping full guard, as Hopper tries to pass.
Bulman controls Hopper momentarily but Hopper frees himself.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hopper lands a couple of digs.
Hopper with a nice head shot there.
Bulman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hopper is one step ahead there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bulman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bulman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bulman keeping moving, preventing Hopper from controlling successfully.
Hopper wants to pass the guard but Bulman is keeping the position.
Hopper showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bulman pulls Hopper in close to his closed guard and prevents Hopper from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hopper preventing the sweep.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bulman scores with a sloppy right hand. Hopper should have avoided that one.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown but Bulman shows good takedown defense.
Hopper closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bulman is pressed up against the cage. Hopper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bulman down to the mat. Bulman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mark Bulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Hopper.
Bulman lands with an overhand left.
Hopper has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bulman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bulman shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hopper is refusing to be controlled, as Bulman sits in half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bulman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bulman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hopper does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hopper tries to kick Bulman off but Bulman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopper works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hopper pulls Bulman in to control the position.
Bulman pushes down on Hopper's leg and manages to get into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopper looking for submissions off his back.
Nelson Hopper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hopper looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
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 Mark Bulman.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bulman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Bulman!
A very excited looking Mark Bulman made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
86% |
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