PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jon Richard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bronson Hopps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bronson Hopps has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Richard
vs
Hopps

163 cm
19
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Richard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bronson Hopps!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopps scores with a shot to the body.

Richard clinches with his opponent.
Hopps wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Richard has him pressed against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Richard - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch but Richard keeps him there for the moment.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Richard breaks the clinch.
Hopps fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Richard manages to avoid it.
Richard closes the distance and clinches up with Hopps, looking for a takedown. Richard pushes Hopps against the cage but Hopps circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hopps leaves Richard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hopps looks to land a combination. Richard sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Jon Richard has been cut.
Richard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopps pinned against the cage. Hopps gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Richard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hopps cracks Richard with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Richard with that takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Hopps. Those never looked like landing.
No joy there for Hopps, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Richard gets a clinch.
Hopps is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hopps is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Richard breaks from the clinch.
Richard slips a jab and a cross from Hopps.

Richard closes the distance and pushes Hopps back into the cage.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch but Richard keeps him there for the moment.

Richard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hopps misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Richard dodges the punch combination from Hopps.
Hopps fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Richard on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopps slaps away a takedown attempt from Richard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hopps dips to his left and cracks Richard with an uppercut!
Richard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hopps checks a leg kick.
Richard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Richard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hopps sprawls well. Hopps wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Richard gets slowly back to his feet.
Richard is breathing heavily.
Richard tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hopps defends well and Richard ends up having to push Hopps into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Richard is looking to break free of the clinch but Hopps has double underhooks.
Richard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Richard misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopps tries to break the clinch but Richard is controlling the position.
Hopps wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Richard has him pressed against the cage.
Richard tries to pull guard but Hopps holds him up against the cage and eventually Richard drops back down to his feet.
Richard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hopps fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Richard dodges the punch combination from Hopps.
Hopps throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopps looks to land a combination but Richard avoids it well.
Hopps throws a combination. Richard tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hopps works over Richard's head and body with a nice combination.

Richard is rocked!
Richard looks to land a body kick but Hopps moved away.
Oh Richard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopps with a body punch. A glancing blow.
No joy there for Hopps, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hopps tries to bum rush Richard with a series of wild strikes but Richard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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!
Hopps misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bronson Hopps seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopps misses with a few strikes there.
Hopps throws a series of punches but Richard avoids them all with ease.
Hopps throws a nice looking combination but Richard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hopps checks a leg kick nicely.
Richard on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hopps looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Richard throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Richard avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Richard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Richard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Richard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hopps.
Hopps lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Richard seems to have got his legs back now.
Hopps has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Richard throws a head kick but Hopps moves out of range.
Hopps uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hopps misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Richard closes the distance and clinches up with Hopps, looking for a takedown. Richard pushes Hopps against the cage but Hopps circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hopps misses with a double jab.
Bronson Hopps is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Richard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bronson Hopps dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jon Richard's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hopps misses with the combination.
Hopps smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hopps misses with a few strikes there.

Richard has Hopps up against the cage in a clinch.
Richard pushes off an throws an elbow but Hopps leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hopps is trying to break free.

Richard manages to pull guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hopps stands and throws Richard's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hopps tries to stand but Richard is controlling his head.

Hopps is trying to get an arm triangle but Richard is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopps's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hopps wants to free his trapped foot but Richard is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Richard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Richard kicks off Hopps and gets to his feet.
Hopps swinging wildly here.
Hopps throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopps is breathing heavily.
Hopps leaves Richard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hopps looks to land a combination but Richard avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopps swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Hopps.
Richard tries for a takedown but Hopps sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hopps tries to bum rush Richard with a series of wild strikes but Richard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jon Richard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopps.
Richard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopps.
Bronson Hopps seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hopps fails to land with a series of punches.
Richard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hopps pinned against the cage. Hopps gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Richard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Richard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopps scores with a one two! Richard had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hopps misses with the combination.
A combination from Hopps does no damage.
Hopps misses with a straight right.
Richard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Richard shoots in but no luck this time.
Hopps throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Richard counters with a series of strikes. Hopps will be more careful next time no doubt.
Richard shoots in and drives through. Hopps sprawls well.
Hopps looks to land a combination but Richard avoids it well.
Hopps misses with a series of wild punches.
Hopps looks to score with a jab to the body but Richard is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hopps tries to avoid it but Richard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hopps to the ground. Hopps escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hopps throws a series of punches but Richard avoids them all with ease.
Hopps is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hopps throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Richard counters by moving into the clinch.

Richard breaks from the clinch.
Hopps throws a right hand that Richard ducks under and follows up with a left that Richard also avoids with ease.
Richard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hopps sprawls well. Hopps wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Richard gets slowly back to his feet.
Hopps throws a right and a left that Richard avoids nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopps avoids the body shot from Richard.
Jab by Hopps.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopps throws a nice looking combination but Richard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bronson Hopps showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jon Richard'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. 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.

Hopps misses with a lunging right hand

and Richard counters by moving into the clinch.
Hopps avoiding damage as Richard throws knees to the body.
Richard wants to take the fight to the mat but Hopps manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Richard stalls.
Richard keeps control of Hopps as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hopps wants to break free but Richard has control.

Richard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopps throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hopps misses with a double jab.
Hopps takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hopps misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hopps tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richard was well out of range. Poor timing from Hopps.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopps misses with a combination

and Richard counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Richard.

Richard breaks from the clinch.

Hopps gets tackled into the cage by Richard. Richard maintains the clinch.
Richard is stalling here.
Hopps stops a takedown attempt from Richard.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Richard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hopps.
Hopps on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The referee calls for Richard to work.
Richard is trying to pull guard but Hopps turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Richard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Richard tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hopps defends well and Richard ends up having to push Hopps into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Richard tries a knee to the head but Hopps blocks it.
Hopps working hard to break the clinch.
Hopps is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch but Richard keeps him there for the moment.
Hopps is trying to break the clinch but Richard has him pressed against the cage.
Hopps has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hopps can't break the clinch.
Richard tries to pull guard but Hopps holds him up against the cage and eventually Richard drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopps wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hopps tries to break free but Richard pushes him back against the cage.
Hopps is trying to force a seperation but Richard has the dominant position.
Hopps being controlled against the cage.
Hopps is trying to break the clinch but Richard has him pressed against the cage.

Richard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hopps lands a nice looking body shot.
Hopps misses with a series of wild punches.
Richard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hopps!
Richard slips a jab and a cross from Hopps.
Richard throws a body kick that misses.
Hopps looks to land a combination but Richard avoids it well.

Richard has Hopps up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hopps's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopps is trying to break free.
Hopps is trying to force a seperation but Richard has the dominant position.
Jon Richard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bronson Hopps is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hopps is looking to break free of the clinch but Richard has double underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bronson Hopps.
I've got Hopps 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bronson Hopps!