PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fink McIllhenny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

McIllhenny
vs
Hopkins

182 cm
24
175 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
180 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Great elbows
Granite chin

RMC - $ 11 Shorts!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fink McIllhenny!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Hopkins!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McIllhenny throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopkins.

Hopkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Hopkins.

It looks like Fink McIllhenny has been cut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McIllhenny as Hopkins tries to tie him up.
Hopkins trying to land knees to the body.
McIllhenny lands with a left to the head.
Hopkins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McIllhenny is defending well for now.
McIllhenny can't break the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hopkins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McIllhenny 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.
Hopkins pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hopkins throws an elbow but it misses.
Hopkins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McIllhenny takes an elbow to the temple.
McIllhenny is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hopkins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McIllhenny has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hopkins after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fink McIllhenny. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McIllhenny is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hopkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McIllhenny displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hopkins up against the cage.

McIllhenny's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McIllhenny defends it nicely.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and McIllhenny makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hopkins shoots in for a double leg but McIllhenny sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McIllhenny misses with a looping left.
McIllhenny keeps the fight on the outside.

Hopkins rushes McIllhenny and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hopkins trying to land knees to the body.
McIllhenny being controlled against the cage.
McIllhenny is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hopkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McIllhenny has Hopkins pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. McIllhenny pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hopkins tumbling to the mat - McIllhenny dives into Hopkins's guard.
McIllhenny has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hopkins keeping full guard, as McIllhenny tries to pass.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McIllhenny tries to stand but Hopkins is controlling from the bottom.
Hopkins wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopkins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McIllhenny won't allow Hopkins to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but McIllhenny has passed into side control.

McIllhenny has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
That kick from McIllhenny tenderised Hopkins's leg. Hopkins is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hopkins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McIllhenny's waist but McIllhenny gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hopkins off to one side.
McIllhenny throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hopkins displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McIllhenny throws out the jab.
Hopkins with a poor takedown
and McIllhenny counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and McIllhenny counters with a stiff right hand.
Hopkins checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hopkins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McIllhenny swivels and escapes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Fink McIllhenny is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Hopkins misses with a takedown
letting McIllhenny counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McIllhenny misses with the combination.
McIllhenny lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hopkins's sensitive parts.
Hopkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McIllhenny.
Hopkins shoots for a takedown but McIllhenny saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McIllhenny pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hopkins looks for a takedown but McIllhenny sprawls well.
McIllhenny misses with a straight left.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hopkins fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McIllhenny to the ground. Hopkins is now in McIllhenny's guard.
Hopkins postures up.

McIllhenny has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hopkins is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for McIllhenny.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fink McIllhenny dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fink McIllhenny's cut.
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 shoots and misses
and McIllhenny counters with a straight right hand.
Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McIllhenny.
Nice sprawl there from McIllhenny as Hopkins shoots in.

Hopkins gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McIllhenny is pressing down on Hopkins's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McIllhenny wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopkins slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hopkins trying to control but McIllhenny is working from the bottom.

McIllhenny throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hopkins escapes and throws McIllhenny's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McIllhenny is trying to buck Hopkins off.
Hopkins is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down McIllhenny's shoulder. That is not cool.
McIllhenny is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hopkins is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McIllhenny has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McIllhenny is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McIllhenny tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hopkins wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McIllhenny is trying to control Hopkins's posture but Hopkins avoids it.
McIllhenny is not content to let Hopkins control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McIllhenny is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins scoring with punches from side control.
Hopkins is looking to take a break and control but McIllhenny is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
McIllhenny is trying to control Hopkins's posture but Hopkins avoids it.
McIllhenny is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins trying to control the action but McIllhenny is working from the bottom.
Hopkins wants to control for a moment but McIllhenny uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Hopkins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McIllhenny does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

McIllhenny pushes Hopkins off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hopkins moves into range and clinches up with McIllhenny.
Nice elbow from Hopkins.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stalling in the clinch from Hopkins.
McIllhenny is trying to force a seperation but Hopkins has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Hopkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fink McIllhenny's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McIllhenny lands a right hook to the body.
Hopkins tries to clinch but McIllhenny moves out of range.
McIllhenny misses with a straight left.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but McIllhenny circles away.
McIllhenny misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
McIllhenny looks to land a combination but Hopkins avoids it well.
McIllhenny throws a leg kick

and Hopkins counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for McIllhenny!
McIllhenny is looking to get to half guard.
McIllhenny tries to hold on but Hopkins pushes him away.
McIllhenny can't escape the position.
Hopkins with shots to the head and body - McIllhenny looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins looking to control and managing it successfully.
McIllhenny tries to buck Hopkins off but he can't manage it.
Hopkins takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
McIllhenny tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hopkins breaks from McIllhenny's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hopkins scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish McIllhenny?
McIllhenny is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McIllhenny gets back to half guard.
Hopkins throwing shots but McIllhenny is blocking nicely.
Hopkins is looking to take a break and control but McIllhenny is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hopkins controlling the pace.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for McIllhenny!
Hopkins breaks from McIllhenny's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins with a couple of short strikes.
McIllhenny is working to get back to half guard.
Hopkins lands a big shot there that rocks McIllhenny but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hopkins working the ground and pound effectively.
Hopkins postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. McIllhenny looks a forlorn figure.
BOOM! Hopkins connects with a massive shot to the dome!

McIllhenny is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hopkins looking to control but McIllhenny is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Oh McIllhenny is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hopkins drops a big elbow. That's hurt McIllhenny! More shots from Hopkins and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anthony Hopkins!
Anthony Hopkins is the new welterweight champion!