PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nelson Hopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson Hopper could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gray Maynard's chin.

Hopper
vs
Maynard

155 cm
30
156 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

172 cm
23
155 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Hopkins Athletics

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 8 - 7 - 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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gray Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopper doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maynard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hopper thinking.
Maynard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hopper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hopper throws a sloppy head kick and Maynard moves out of range easily.
Hopper lands a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Maynard misses the target.
Maynard keeps the fight on the outside.
Good work by Maynard as he checks the leg kick.
Hopper with a poor takedown
and Maynard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maynard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hopper shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hopper takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nelson Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maynard as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Maynard.
Maynard lands a head shot.
Gray Maynard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hopper doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maynard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hopper thinking.
Hopper with a poor takedown
and Maynard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maynard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hopper tries for a takedown but Maynard circles away easily
and Maynard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maynard sprawls well. Maynard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopper gets slowly back to his feet.
Maynard works the jab nicely.
Hopper misses with a few strikes there.
Maynard has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hopper doesn't manage to clinch there - Maynard circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopper tries to clinch

and Maynard moves into the clinch.
Maynard is pressed up against the cage. Hopper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maynard down to the mat. Maynard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hopper walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maynard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maynard leaves Hopper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
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!

Hopper tries to keep at a distance but Maynard has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maynard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopper backwards.
Hopper blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maynard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hopper.
Hopper is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maynard is defending well.
Hopper is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maynard is defending well.
Maynard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maynard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopper looking for a takedown.
Maynard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maynard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hopper gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Hopper is breathing heavily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Maynard regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hopper is pushing down on Maynard's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maynard is fighting to maintain full guard but Hopper has managed to sneak the leg through.
Maynard tries to get to full guard but Hopper has control of the leg.
Maynard manages to get to full guard.
Maynard controlling the position.
Maynard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hopper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hopper!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maynard misses with a head shot.
Hopper might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hopper is trying desperately to improve position.
Hopper tries to hold on but Maynard postures up.
Hopper is squirming around, avoiding Maynard's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hopper is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maynard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maynard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hopper takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maynard sprawls well. Maynard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hopper gets slowly back to his feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maynard, as that shot connected.
Nelson Hopper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maynard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nelson Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard misses with a two punch combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Maynard as he connects with a hook.

Hopper clinches up against the cage.
Hopper looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper prevents a body shot from Maynard.
Hopper blocks an uppercut.
Maynard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hopper wants a takedown but no success here.
Hopper drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maynard pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nelson Hopper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hopper takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Maynard's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Maynard duly obliges.
Hopper tries for a takedown but Maynard circles away easily
letting Maynard counter with a right hand.
Maynard lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Maynard stalks Hopper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hopper's face. Hopper staggers backwards, shaken.
Maynard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hopper.
Maynard circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maynard crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hopper - the referee stops the clock and Maynard gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hopper. Maynard manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hopper walks into a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hopper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maynard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hopper fails with the takedown
enabling Maynard to counter with a crisp jab.
Maynard scores with a three punch combo!
Maynard scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hopper doesn't seem bothered though.
Maynard keeps the fight on the outside.
Hopper misses with a takedown
and Maynard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hopper with a lazy takedown attempt
and Maynard counters with a nice uppercut.
Maynard tries to bum rush Hopper with a series of wild strikes but Hopper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maynard takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Maynard drives through and clinches with Hopper against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopper goes for a takedown in the clinch but Maynard prevents it.
Maynard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maynard tries to work over Hopper's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hopper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maynard avoids it.
Maynard misses with a punch to the body.
Hopper wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maynard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hoppers head.
Maynard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hoppers head.
Maynard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hopper tries to score a body lock takedown but Maynard shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hopper looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Maynard throws a head punch that misses.
Hopper wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maynard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maynard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hopper blocks it with crossed arms.
Hopper is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maynard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Maynard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maynard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maynard.
Hopper avoiding damage as Maynard throws knees to the body.
Maynard lands a shot to the body.
Maynard is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hopper is defending well for now.
A hook to the body from Maynard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maynard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hopper tries for a takedown. No joy.
Maynard swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopper uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maynard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Maynard scores a nice knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maynard lands an uppercut.
Hopper drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maynard pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hopper misses with a takedown attempt
and Maynard counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A punch lands to the side of Hopper 's head but he takes it in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Maynard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Maynard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hopper is trying to drag Maynard to the mat but Maynard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Maynard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maynard struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopper controls his hands.
Maynard lands with a short shot to the head.
Hopper looking to stall.
Hopper drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Maynard gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maynard stops a takedown attempt from Hopper.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nelson Hopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maynard lands a right hand.
Hopper goes for a takedown attempt but Maynard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Maynard stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopper shoots and misses
and Maynard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hopper with a lazy takedown attempt
and Maynard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hopper walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hopper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hopper with a poor takedown
and Maynard counters with a straight right hand.
Maynard connects with the punch.

Maynard clinches up against the cage.
Maynard keeps control of Hopper as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maynard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hopper backwards.
Maynard tries a knee to the head but Hopper blocks it.
Gray Maynard seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Maynard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maynard tries to throw a body punch but Hopper avoids it by throwing Maynard back against the cage.
Maynard tries a body shot but Hopper blocks it.
Gray Maynard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard lands with a left to the head.
Hopper has Maynard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maynard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Maynard.
Maynard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maynard tries a body shot but Hopper blocks it.
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!
Maynard struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopper controls his hands.
Maynard misses with a punch on the inside.
Maynard is pressed up against the cage. Hopper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maynard down to the mat. Maynard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maynard swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hopper.
Maynard is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hopper shoots in for a takedown but Maynard shows good takedown defense.
Maynard thuds his right hand into Hopper's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hopper with a lazy takedown attempt
and Maynard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A left and a right from Maynard both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hopper.

Maynard takes the fight into the clinch.
Hopper prevents a body shot from Maynard.
Maynard scores with a shoulder strike.

Hopper pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maynard checks a leg kick.
Maynard throws the left hand but Hopper avoids the punch easily.
Maynard scores with a body shot.
No luck for Hopper with that takedown attempt.
Maynard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hopper has his takedown stuffed
and Maynard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Maynard.
Hopper fails with the takedown
and Maynard counters with a two punch combo.
Maynard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hopper in his tracks.
Maynard lands with a good body shot.
Hopper tries for a takedown but Maynard circles away easily
and Maynard counters with a nice uppercut.
Hopper doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maynard counters with a series of strikes. Hopper will be more careful next time no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopper on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hopper throws a head kick but Maynard moves out of range.
Nelson Hopper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maynard shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hopper eats them both and turns towards Maynard to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hopper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Maynard counters with a left to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Maynard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Maynard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gray Maynard!
Gray Maynard very nearly forgot to thank Hopkins Athletics amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.