PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rigoberto Lopez (ranked 4658 p4p, 456 weight class) and The Hitman (ranked 5807 p4p, 503 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Lopez
vs
Hitman

175 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rigoberto Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, The Hitman!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez moves in looking to clinch but Hitman pushes him off.
Lopez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hitman looks to throw the jab but Lopez is out of range.
A punch combination from Hitman misses.
Hitman misses with a few strikes there.
Hitman throws a series of punches but Lopez moves out of range.
Hitman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Hitman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lopez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hitman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Hitman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lopez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lopez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rigoberto Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitman throws a series of punches but Lopez moves out of range.
Hitman misses with a double jab.
A combination from Hitman does no damage.
Lopez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Lopez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lopez.
Lopez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lopez shoots in looking for a takedown but Hitman manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lopez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lopez is looking to clinch.
Hitman throws an off balance right hand
and Lopez counters with a straight right hand.
Hitman misses with a series of wild punches.
Lopez lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Lopez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lopez is breathing heavily.
Lopez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitman.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lopez or perhaps it was just good defense by Hitman, which made it look bad.
Hitman looks to throw the jab but Lopez is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Hitman misses.
Hitman looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
Hitman misses with a double jab
and Lopez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hitman throws a hook but Lopez avoids it easily.
Lopez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lopez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lopez wants to clinch.
Hitman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lopez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hitman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sloppy strikes from Hitman. Those never looked like landing.
Lopez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitman fails to land with a series of punches.
As Hitman tries to get set, Lopez tries to push him back and clinch up but Hitman manages to avoid the attempt.
Hitman misses with a combination
and Lopez counters with a series of strikes. Hitman will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hitman misses with a double jab

and Lopez counters by clinching up.
Hitman is trying to break the clinch but Lopez has him pressed against the cage.

Lopez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lopez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hitman.

Lopez moves into range and clinches up with Hitman.
Lopez scores with a hook to the body.

Hitman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lopez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hitman pinned against the cage. Hitman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hitman throws a series of punches but Lopez avoids them all with ease.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hitman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Hitman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lopez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lopez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The Hitman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Hitman shows good takedown defense.
Hitman's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hitman duly obliges.
Sloppy strikes from Hitman. Those never looked like landing.
Hitman throws a combination that misses
and Lopez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hitman is defended easily by Lopez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hitman rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lopez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hitman throws a hook but Lopez avoids it easily.
Lopez throws a big counter combination but Hitman scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lopez tries to work over Hitman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Hitman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lopez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hitman misses with a straight right.
Hitman swinging wildly here.
Lopez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hitman manages to circle out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitman stuffs the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Hitman on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Lopez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hitman throws a head punch that misses.

Hitman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lopez doesn't manage to clinch there - Hitman circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitman throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fighters circling - Hitman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hitman is breathing heavily.
Hitman keeps the fight on the outside.
Hitman fails to land with a series of punches.
Hitman misses with a few strikes there.
Hitman misses with a wild combination.

Lopez clinches.
Lopez wants to stall.

Hitman manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Hitman.

Lopez rushes Hitman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lopez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hitman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The Hitman seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Lopez does no damage.
Lopez moves in looking to clinch but Hitman pushes him off.
Hitman throws out a loose jab but Lopez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lopez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lopez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hitman is fending him off so far but Lopez persists. Nope, Hitman circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rigoberto Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitman misses with a series of wild punches.
An attempted straight right counter from Lopez misses the target.
Hitman throws a big shot that misses.
Lopez motions for Hitman to come forward. Lopez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hitman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hitman might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lopez defending well as Hitman loads up on a big left hand.

Lopez moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hitman breaks from the clinch.
A combination from Hitman does no damage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lopez is defended easily by Hitman.
Lopez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hitman swivels and escapes.
Hitman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lopez.
No joy there for Hitman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hitman tries to bum rush Lopez with a series of wild strikes but Lopez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.
Hitman throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lopez counters with a series of strikes. Hitman will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lopez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hitman.
Hitman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hitman stuffs the takedown.
Lopez dodges the punch combination from Hitman.
Hitman fails to land with a series of punches.
Hitman rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lopez counters with a stiff right hand.
Hitman keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lopez takes the fight into the clinch.

Lopez breaks the clinch.
Hitman throws a series of strikes that have Lopez backpedaling.

Lopez closes the distance and clinches.
Lopez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hitman has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Lopez seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Hitman can turn it around.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Hitman 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!

Hitman swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hitman misses with an uppercut
and Lopez counters with a nice body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lopez or perhaps it was just good defense by Hitman, which made it look bad.
Hitman avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hitman looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Hitman misses the target.
Hitman throws a looping overhand right but Lopez ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez tries to clinch but Hitman is having none of it.
Hitman swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab lands there for Hitman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hitman defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rigoberto Lopez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hitman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hitman looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
Lopez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hitman fails to land with a series of punches.
Hitman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hitman looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
Hitman dodges the punch combination from Lopez.
Lopez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hitman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Hitman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Hitman misses.
Lopez throws a leg kick that misses.
Hitman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hitman misses with a series of wild punches.
A little feinted left hand from Lopez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A combination from Hitman does no damage.
Lopez tries to clinch but Hitman is having none of it.
Hitman swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.
Lopez dodges the punch combination from Hitman.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hitman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lopez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lopez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hitman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitman throws a push kick but Lopez slaps the foot to one side.
Lopez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lopez throws a right and a left that Hitman avoids nicely.
Lopez moves out of range as Hitman strikes.
The fighters circling - Hitman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hitman stuffs the takedown.
Hitman feints a jab promting Lopez to slip. Hitman then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lopez slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hitman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hitman tries to land a body kick
and Lopez counters with a one-two to the body.
Lopez goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hitman misses with a few strikes there.
Lopez is looking to clinch.
A combination from Hitman does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hitman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lopez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hitman lands a jab-cross combination.
Rigoberto Lopez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitman looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lopez or perhaps it was just good defense by Hitman, which made it look bad.
Sloppy strikes from Hitman. Those never looked like landing.
The Hitman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hitman blocks a head kick by Lopez.
Hitman displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Lopez gets a clinch.

Hitman breaks the clinch.
Hitman slaps away a takedown attempt from Lopez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hitman throws a counter combo.
Rigoberto Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hitman throws a series of punches but Lopez avoids them all with ease.
Lopez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hitman manages to circle out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Hitman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hitman 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Hitman!
The Hitman was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.