PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Rickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bubba Hoetep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hoetep comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Viva Las Vegas kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Bubba Hoetep will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rickson
vs
Hoetep

190 cm
23
130 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

225 cm
18
137 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocky Rickson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bubba Hoetep!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rickson scores with a takedown into Hoetep's guard.
Rickson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rickson distracts Hoetep with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Rickson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rickson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hoetep trying to control the position.
Hoetep really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rickson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickson prevents Hoetep from getting back to his feet.

Rickson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rickson avoids the head kick by Hoetep.
Rocky Rickson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rickson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rickson lands in his opponent's guard.
Rickson thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rickson stands up and waves to Hoetep to follow him.
Rickson is breathing heavily.
Hoetep clobbers Rickson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hoetep throws a head kick that Rickson semi-blocks.
Hoetep pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rickson scores with a takedown into Hoetep's guard.
Rickson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Rickson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rickson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hoetep is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rickson is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rickson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hoetep wants to stand but Rickson is controlling the position.
Hoetep controls Rickson momentarily but Rickson frees himself.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rickson slips nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Rickson dominated that round.
That's time! Rickson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hoetep scores with a push kick.
Crunch! Hoetep slams his shin into Rickson's torso.
Rickson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Hoetep as he connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoetep lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rickson blocks a head kick by Hoetep.
Rickson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rickson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hoetep sprawls well initially but Rickson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hoetep looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rickson is pressing down on Hoetep's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hoetep is holding on for now.
Rickson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hoetep does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoetep is looking to control Rickson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hoetep avoid being mounted?
Hoetep tries to get to full guard but Rickson has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hoetep manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hoetep controls Rickson momentarily but Rickson frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hoetep throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rickson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hoetep circles away.
Rickson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hoetep throws a nice head kick!
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoetep looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hoetep throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoetep scores with a jab to the body.
Rickson shoots in for a double leg but Hoetep sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocky Rickson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoetep tries to clinch there but Rickson circles away.
Hoetep keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hoetep slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rickson shoots for a double leg takedown but Hoetep sprawls well. He's pushed Rickson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hoetep's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hoetep duly obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Hoetep showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hoetep lands a head kick!
Rickson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoetep looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Rickson gets a takedown into half guard.
Hoetep looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rickson in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Hoetep tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Rickson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rocky Rickson!