PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Hopkins (ranked 24 p4p, 1 weight class) and Vincent Oketch (ranked 1051 p4p, 54 weight class). Hopkins comes to the cage accompanied by Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako . 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.

Hopkins
vs
Oketch

180 cm
37
148 lbs
38 - 20 - 1

170 cm
34
134 lbs
32 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Bullet Proof System

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 38 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Vinny Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vincent Oketch!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins stuffs the takedown attempt from Oketch. Oketch gets slowly back to his feet.
Hopkins sizes up Oketch with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hopkins misses with a right hand
and Oketch counters with an outside leg kick.
Hopkins looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Oketch tries to move into range but Hopkins moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hopkins swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Oketch doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Oketch shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hopkins manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Oketch stops Hopkins from standing up.
Oketch controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oketch preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hopkins trying to keep a closed guard but Oketch is proving a slippery customer.

Oketch thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopkins is looking for a triangle but Oketch pushes his legs off easily.

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

Oketch tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hopkins manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins wants to get back to full guard.
Hopkins is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Oketch jumps into side control!
Oketch working away.
Hopkins is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Oketch is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hopkins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hopkins tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oketch working away.
Hopkins tries to bench press Oketch off him but Oketch keeps the position.
Oketch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hopkins regains half guard.
Hopkins is not content to let Oketch control the position.
Hopkins wants to improve his position but Oketch is controlling well.
Hopkins regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hopkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hopkins keeping moving, preventing Oketch from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Oketch sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hopkins scores with a nice strike.

Oketch closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hopkins did well to prevent Oketch getting side control.
Hopkins is looking to control Oketch's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hopkins avoid being mounted?
Hopkins tries to roll over but Oketch keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hopkins wants to control but Oketch is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vincent Oketch will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hopkins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hopkins throws the left hand but Oketch avoids the punch easily.
Oketch on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hopkins swings for the body but Oketch moves out of range.
Oketch throws out a counter right but Hopkins avoids it with no problem.
Hopkins tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Oketch is able to avoid easily.
Hopkins works the jab nicely.
Oketch shoots in looking for a takedown. Hopkins tries to sprawl out of it but Oketch keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hopkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hopkins stuffs the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oketch on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hopkins lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hopkins is looking to chop away at Oketch's legs.
Oketch has his takedown stuffed
and Hopkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vinny Hopkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Oketch.
Hopkins lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins takes a swing at Oketch's ribcage but misses.
Hopkins scores with a body shot.
Oketch is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hopkins throws a leg kick

and Oketch decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hopkins's guard.
Hopkins is looking to stand back up but Oketch counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Hopkins.

Hopkins tries to get to full guard but Oketch has control of the leg.
Hopkins is staying active underneath Oketch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Oketch is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hopkins wants to control but Oketch is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins is concentrating on defense, preventing Oketch from advancing position.
Hopkins is looking to improve his position.
Vincent Oketch has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hopkins tries to kick Oketch off but Oketch keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Oketch is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Oketch working Hopkins over with strikes.
Oketch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oketch is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hopkins is trying to stand back up but Oketch is controlling him
Hopkins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hopkins.
Oketch preventing the sweep.
Hopkins wants to stand and escape but Oketch is having none of it.
Hopkins looking to control.
Hopkins managing to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jab from Hopkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Oketch ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins.
Oketch looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hopkins throws out a loose jab but Oketch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Oketch has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Oketch there as he acknowledges the shot.
Vinny Hopkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hopkins throws a body shot but no joy.
Hopkins throws a shot from downtown. Oketch moves away and avoids it.
Hopkins is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Oketch can do to turn this around?
Oketch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Oketch looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Hopkins gets caught napping as Oketch dives in and scores a takedown. Hopkins manages to retain guard.
Oketch working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hopkins manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Hopkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hopkins throws an off balance right hand
and Oketch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good exchange - Hopkins coming out on top.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Oketch is just out of range.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot.
And Oketch tries to counter it with a takedown but Hopkins pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hopkins scores with a jab. Oketch acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Hopkins dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Oketch shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hopkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hopkins is trying to maintain the position but Oketch is very close to passing his half guard.
Oketch looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins wants to get back to his feet.

Oketch is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hopkins defends it well.

Hopkins looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oketch is looking for a kimura but Hopkins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Oketch to get the leverage.
Hopkins trying to control here.
Hopkins is trying to stand back up but Oketch is controlling him
Hopkins is looking to control Oketch's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hopkins avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Oketch gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hopkins.
Hopkins lands a jab to Oketch's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hopkins throws a hook but Oketch blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target.

Oketch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Hopkins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Oketch trying to control the position but Hopkins is working away.

Oketch is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hopkins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Oketch tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Oketch has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins manages to work his way to half guard, despite Oketch's best efforts.
Oketch wants to control but Hopkins is keeping him busy.

Oketch is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hopkins tries to get to full guard but Oketch has control of the leg.
Hopkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Oketch is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Oketch is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Oketch wants to control but Hopkins is keeping him busy.
Hopkins trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hopkins manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Oketch would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hopkins is trying to keep Oketch in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vinny Hopkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Hopkins with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vincent Oketch.
I think Oketch has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincent Oketch!
During a confident post fight interview, Vincent Oketch thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Vinny Hopkins spoke after the fight, saying 'As always I can do everything through Christ my lord and savior who strengthens me. Without him I wouldn't be here tonight. Don't worry I'll be back.'.