PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manco Capac (ranked 1121 p4p, 1214 weight class) and Thomas Hearn (ranked 152 p4p, 162 weight class). Capac comes into the arena with Iggy Pop - The Passenger blaring out of the sound system. Hearn has chosen Professor X - Dave as his entrance music. Thomas Hearn told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Capac
vs
Hearn

180 cm
26
170
13 - 11 - 0

185 cm
28
180
12 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Manco Capac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Hearn!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Capac slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Capac throws a left and a right that both miss
and Capac takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hearn tried to score with a low kick but Capac checks it.
Hearn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Capac.
It looked like Capac was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hearn.
Hearn lands a nice shot to the body.
Hearn lands a nice shot that snaps Capac's head back.

Capac shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hearn's guard.

Hearn has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Capac is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Capac fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hearn gets underhooks to prevent Capac's takedown attempt.
We've been hearing reports that Capac has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Capac lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hearn backwards.

Capac is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hearn can't fight it off and eventually Capac manages to take the fight to the floor. Hearn looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Hearn scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hearn scores with a three punch combo!
Capac shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hearn but Hearn pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hearn looks to land a left hand but Capac moved out of range nicely.
Hearn tries a low kick but Capac avoids it.
Hearn lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Good work by Capac as he checks the leg kick.
Hearn throws a sloppy body shot
and Hearn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hearn jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Capac connects with a body shot that sends Hearn's belly button to the back.
Hearn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Capac misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hearn.
Hearn with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hearn throws a head kick that misses.
Hearn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Capac's sensitive parts.
Hearn throws a body kick that misses.
Hearn misses with a kick to the body

and Capac counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Hearn has his feet on Capac's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hearn slips under a jab from Capac.
Thomas Hearn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hearn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hearn misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Capac. Hearn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Capac tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hearn was well out of range. Poor timing from Capac.
Capac lands with a right hand.
Hearn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Capac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Capac throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hearn moves out of range of the strikes.
Hearn takes a swing at Capac's ribcage but misses.
Hearn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice shot by Hearn.
Capac dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hearn has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Thomas Hearn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn throws a low kick but it's checked well by Capac.
Capac attempts a counter takedown but Hearn avoids it well and moves away.
Hearn chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Capac lands a body shot.
Nice jab there from Capac.
Capac avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Capac attempts a counter takedown but Hearn avoids it well and moves away.
Capac looks to score with a jab to the body but Hearn is just out of range.
Capac misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hearn! But no joy.
Hearn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Capac.
Capac moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Capac avoids a kick to the body.
Capac scores with a decent looking hook.
Hearn slips a jab and a cross from Capac.
Hearn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Capac avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Capac cracks a nice hook into Hearn's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Capac darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hearn looks like he's trying to stand up.

Capac seems to be working for a kimura but Hearn defends the submission attempt.
Capac is trying to control the action in half guard but Hearn is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Capac trying to pass the guard but Hearn defending well.
Capac is looking to stall here but Hearn recovers full guard.
Capac prevents Hearn from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hearn can't keep his opponent in guard - Capac advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thomas Hearn will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Capac looks to land a combination. Hearn sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Capac looks to land a right hand but Hearn moved out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Capac checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hearn staying out of range there.
Hearn throws a leg kick
and Capac counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hearn looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Capac blocks a head kick by Hearn.
Capac ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hearn moves away.
Hearn throws a lazy right hand but Capac sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Capac feinted with a counter takedown.
Hearn throws a jab but it's blocked by Capac.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capac defending well as Hearn loads up on a big left hand.
Capac ducks right into an uppercut from Hearn.

Capac changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hearn looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hearn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Capac is controlling him well.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Capac looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Capac trying to control the action but Hearn is working from the bottom.

Capac is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hearn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hearn is pushing Capac's head away, looking to escape. Capac manages to hold on to the position though.
Capac tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Thomas Hearn has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two 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.
Hearn wants to get back to his feet but Capac drags him back down.
Capac controlling the position.

Capac swings around for an armbar but Hearn sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Capac's guard.
Hearn controls from within his opponent's guard.

Capac is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hearn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capac is trying to keep Hearn in close.
Hearn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hearn wants to get up but he can't break Capac's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hearn postures up.
Capac is really struggling to control Hearn but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hearn wants to pass the guard but Capac is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Capac trying to keep a closed guard but Hearn is proving a slippery customer.
Hearn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hearn tests Capac's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Capac checks a leg kick.
Hearn throws a head kick that misses
and Capac counters with a nice body shot.
Capac misses the shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Hearn. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hearn throws a leg kick but Capac sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Capac misses the shot to the body.
Capac changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hearn tries to avoid it but Capac manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hearn to the ground. Hearn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Manco Capac will probably get the nod.
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!

Hearn wants to slow Capac down by chopping away at his legs.
Hearn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Capac.
Hearn smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Capac slips a jab from Hearn.
Capac looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hearn is fending him off so far but Capac persists. Nope, Hearn circles away and we're back to standing.
Capac shoots in and drives through. Hearn sprawls well.
Nice shot lands for Hearn.
Capac shoots in and drives through. Hearn sprawls well.
Hearn now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manco Capac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hearn looks to land a body kick but Capac moved away.
Capac avoids the body shot from Hearn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capac avoids a kick to the body.
Capac ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hearn tests Capac's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Capac is looking to wear down Hearn with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Capac ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hearn moves away.
Hearn shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Capac appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Capac 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hearn loads up on a big right hand but Capac slips the punch.
Hearn defending well as Capac loads up on a big left hand.
Hearn stuns Capac with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Capac misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hearn.
Hearn throws a nice outside leg kick.
Capac fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hearn manages to avoid it.
Hearn throws a head kick but Capac moves out of range.
Capac has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas Hearn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hearn scores with a leg kick.
Hearn misses with a straight right.
Hearn slips a straight right by Capac.
Hearn counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capac lands a slapping body shot.
Capac throws a looping overhand right but Hearn ducks down to avoid it.
Capac pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hearn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Capac moves away.
Capac swings for the body but Hearn moves out of range.
Capac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hearn.
Nice cross by Hearn.
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!
Hearn just misses with a punch to the body.
Capac is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hearn throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Capac jabs Hearn right on the nose. Hearn blinks but takes it well.
Capac slips a jab from Hearn.
Hearn throws a leg kick that is checked
and Capac counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hearn thinking.
Hearn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Capac throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hearn.
Hearn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hearn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Capac throws a hook but Hearn avoids it easily.
Capac doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hearn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Capac lands a really nice looking cross but Hearn seems unphased.
Hearn throws a front kick aimed at Capac's knee but Capac avoids it well.
An inside leg kick lands from Hearn.
Hearn throws a push kick but Capac slaps the foot to one side.
Capac tries to counter with a takedown but Hearn is quick to defend against it.
Hearn throws a lazy body kick
and Capac connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Capac darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Capac is keen to just control but Hearn is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Capac is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hearn sees it coming and defends easily.
Hearn wants to get back to his feet.
Capac wants to free his trapped foot but Hearn is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hearn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Capac looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Capac wants to work for an arm triangle but Hearn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Capac stalling away here and it's allowed Hearn to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Hearn wants to get back to his feet but Capac is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Hearn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hearn 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Hearn!
A relieved looking Thomas Hearn thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.