PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yogi Bear (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hopkins
vs
Bear

177 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

171 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

TKO Clothing

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 Tokyo, Jimmy Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yogi Bear!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bear gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hopkins.
Hopkins throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bear connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bear avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hopkins takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bear blocks a low kick nicely.
Bear uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins.
Hopkins shoots and misses
and Bear counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins throws a poor cross that misses
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Hopkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopkins takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bear misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Bear gets tackled into the ropes by Hopkins. Hopkins maintains the clinch.
Bear is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the ropes.
Hopkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bear's coach down at La Grande BJJ & Muay Thai was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Bear's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hopkins takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hopkins has Bear pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Bear manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Bear.
Bear lands a left hand.

Bear pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yogi Bear is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hopkins clinches.
Hopkins takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bear.

Hopkins gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Bear scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bear connects with a body shot that sends Hopkins's belly button to the back.
Bear thuds a left hand into Hopkins's body.
Hopkins shoots and misses
letting Bear counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jimmy Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bear fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hopkins dips to his left and cracks Bear with an uppercut!
Hopkins takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hopkins tries for a takedown but Bear circles away easily
and Bear counters with a nice uppercut.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bear circles away.
Bear defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hopkins.
Hopkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bear moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins needs to keep his hands up - Bear had a free shot at his head there.
Bear bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bear scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Bear swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hopkins takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bear lands with a right hand.
Bear blocks a head kick by Hopkins.
Hopkins moves to clinch but Bear breaks away
and Bear cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hopkins throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bear counters with a stiff right hand.
Bear leaves Hopkins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bear keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear thuds his right hand into Hopkins's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Bear does it's job there.

Hopkins is rocked!
Hopkins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hopkins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bear.
Hopkins takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Oh Hopkins is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hopkins throws a sloppy body shot
and Hopkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bear lands with a good body shot.
Hopkins seems to have got his legs back now.
A jab from Bear finds it's way through Hopkins's defenses.
Bear lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bear defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand.
Some wild striking there from Bear.
Hopkins looks to land a left hand but Bear moved out of range nicely.
No joy there for Bear, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hopkins throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Bear moves into the clinch.
Hopkins has Bear pressed against the ropes.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bear. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopkins.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Bear controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bear misses with some punches.

Hopkins gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Hopkins not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hopkins looks to land a strike but Bear avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
Bear is pulling down on Hopkins's head to control his posture.
Hopkins showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hopkins wants to control from the top but Bear keeps moving.
Bear working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hopkins.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hopkins misses with a hook.
Hopkins sets himself, and Bear steps forward looking for the clinch! Hopkins avoids it this time.
Hopkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Bear on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bear swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hopkins.
Bear fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hopkins looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hopkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bear circles away.
Hopkins darts in trying to clinch
and Bear makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hopkins takes one on the button.
Bear looks to throw the jab but Hopkins is out of range.
Bear scores with a shot to the body.
Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bear moves away.
Hopkins sets himself, and Bear steps forward looking for the clinch! Hopkins avoids it this time.
Hopkins definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins misses with a jab to the body
and Bear cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bear fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bear looks to land a right hand but Hopkins moved out of range.
Hopkins throws an overhand right that lands on Bear's shoulder, as Bear tries to avoid the shot.
Hopkins has his takedown stuffed

and Bear counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bear makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hopkins throws a punch but it's blocked by Bear.
Bear pushes Hopkins back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hopkins goes for a takedown attempt but Bear pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jimmy Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hopkins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bear seems keen to control Hopkins's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear wants to stand up but Hopkins is controlling him.
Hopkins has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hopkins trying to control but Bear is working from the bottom.
Hopkins postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bear keeping moving, preventing Hopkins from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yogi Bear showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bear scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hopkins doesn't seem bothered though.
Bear has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bear dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Hopkins has managed to clinch.

Hopkins lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Bear makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hopkins is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Bear manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hopkins was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hopkins postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bear wants to get back to his feet but Hopkins drags him back down.
Bear tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hopkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Bear swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bear lands a jab.
That kick from Hopkins tenderised Bear's leg. Bear is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hopkins throws a body kick that misses
enabling Bear to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheers as Bear lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hopkins doesn't seem phased though.
Hopkins dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice cross by Bear.
Hopkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Hopkins shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bear napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bear regains half guard, as Hopkins was trying to land strikes.
Jimmy Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear is looking to escape.
Bear avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hopkins.
Yogi Bear has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hopkins is thwarting Bear's attempts to control the position.
Hopkins trying to control the pace.
Hopkins trying to control the action but Bear is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bear lands with a shot to the body.
Bear missing with a left hand there. Hopkins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bear with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hopkins throws a shot to the body.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Bear. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bear.
Bear thuds a left hand into Hopkins's body.

Hopkins shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bear is trying to defend but Hopkins finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bear makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bear.
Hopkins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bear is looking to stand up but Hopkins isn't so interested in that idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yogi Bear comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bear 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Yogi Bear!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Yogi Bear!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Yogi Bear!

Yogi Bear wins by unanimous decision!