PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riley Hatfield (ranked 38 p4p, 391 weight class) and Damian Tonon (ranked 8 p4p, 61 weight class). Hatfield kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Cruel World- Willie Nelson. Riley Hatfield had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hatfield
vs
Tonon

174 cm
29
160
20 - 10 - 0

175 cm
30
165
22 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

FUClothing
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Riley Hatfield!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Damian Tonon!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Ben Hemmingworth and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tonon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hatfield takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Tonon shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hatfield is trying to stand up here but Tonon is controlling him well.
Hatfield is staying active underneath Tonon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hatfield is trying to stand back up but Tonon is controlling him
Hatfield has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Tonon passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hatfield!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon controlling from mount.
Hatfield wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon lands a big elbow.
Hatfield wants to try and get back to his feet.
Tonon controlling his opponent.
Tonon is landing with some decent strikes but Hatfield is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hatfield is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Tonon tries to control but Hatfield wriggling away.
My spies in Gym inform me that Tonon has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Tonon sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hatfield is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Tonon tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tonon tries to control but Hatfield wriggling away.
Tonon looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hatfield trying desperately to get to his feet.
Tonon takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tonon trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tonon content just to control the position here.
Tonon with good strikes from the mount here!
Tonon controlling the position easily from mount.
Hatfield wants to try and get back to his feet.
Tonon tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield is squirming around, avoiding Tonon's attempts to control the action.
Tonon is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hatfield's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Tonon looking to control but Hatfield is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tonon working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Tonon tries to control but Hatfield wriggling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Tonon dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hatfield jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tonon falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Hatfield to counter with a crisp jab.
Hatfield throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tonon.
Hatfield misses with a wild body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Tonon misses.
Tonon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Hatfield on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tonon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hatfield pinned against the cage. Hatfield gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tonon doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hatfield counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hatfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Tonon.
A little feinted left hand from Hatfield on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tonon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tonon swings for the body but Hatfield moves out of range.
A left and a right from Hatfield both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Damian Tonon has been cut.
Tonon shoots in and drives through. Hatfield sprawls well.
Riley Hatfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damian Tonon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon throws a big shot that misses.
Tonon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hatfield counters with a straight right hand.
Tonon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hatfield is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Hatfield finds it's way through Tonon's defenses.
Tonon displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatfield throws out the jab.
Hatfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tonon misses the shot to the body.
Hatfield swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Damian Tonon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hatfield misses with a straight right.
Riley Hatfield is winning the standup battle so far.
Hatfield with a hook.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown but Hatfield shows good takedown defense.

Tonon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hatfield tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tonon is in Hatfield's guard.

Hatfield pushes Tonon off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tonon misses with an uppercut.
Tonon tries to clinch up but Hatfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Tonon misses with a hook. Hatfield ducked under it nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Hatfield misses the target.
Tonon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tonon lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tonon defending well as Hatfield loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tonon darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hatfield has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hatfield as he avoids it easily.

Tonon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hatfield's guard.
Tonon won't allow Hatfield to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield keeping moving, preventing Tonon from controlling successfully.
Tonon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Tonon prevents Hatfield from getting back to his feet.
Tonon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hatfield keeping moving, preventing Tonon from controlling successfully.
Tonon works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tonon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tonon seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tonon is looking to take a break and control but Hatfield is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tonon in particular looking to stall.
Tonon prevents Hatfield from standing back up.
Tonon wants to free his trapped foot but Hatfield is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hatfield takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
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 Riley Hatfield will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Damian Tonon's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tonon looks to clinch
and Hatfield counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tonon lands a jab to the nose.
Hatfield steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tonon.
Tonon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hatfield misses with a straight right.
Tonon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hatfield scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hatfield avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatfield defending well as Tonon loads up on a big left hand.

Tonon gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hatfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Tonon has double underhooks.
Hatfield prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hatfield breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Tonon.
Tonon shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tonon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hatfield is looking to counter punch.
Riley Hatfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damian Tonon.
Hatfield throws a sloppy head kick and Tonon moves out of range easily.
Riley Hatfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tonon doesn't manage to clinch there - Hatfield circles away.
Hatfield thinks about countering with a head kick.
Tonon misses with a hook
and Hatfield counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tonon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hatfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tonon.
Tonon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hatfield avoids it really well and circles away.
And Hatfield counters with a quick kick to the body but Tonon blocks it.
Hatfield is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hatfield lands a glancing blow to the side of Tonon's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tonon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hatfield scores with a hook.
Tonon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Tonon feints and as Hatfield raises his hands in defense, Tonon changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hatfield manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
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!
A short right from Hatfield on the inside.

Hatfield breaks the clinch.
Tonon misses with a combination
and Hatfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tonon throws out a loose jab but Hatfield uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hatfield swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hatfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hatfield enables Tonon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hatfield manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tonon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hatfield is looking to stand up but Tonon isn't so interested in that idea.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hatfield manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Hatfield lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hatfield lands a shoulder strike.
Hatfield throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hatfield is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hatfield misses with some punches.
Tonon blocking some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hatfield trying to control the position but instead, Tonon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hatfield into the cage.
Tonon takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hatfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hatfield jabs at Tonon's body.
Hatfield keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Hatfield misses the target.
Tonon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hatfield.
Tonon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hatfield slips a jab from Tonon.
Hatfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tonon.
Tonon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hatfield counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tonon.
Hatfield is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tonon asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Hatfield clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Damian Tonon's cut.
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.

Tonon defending well as Hatfield loads up on a big left hand.
Hatfield misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tonon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tonon tries for a takedown but Hatfield circles away easily
letting Hatfield counter with a right hand.
Tonon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hatfield's hands.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hatfield was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hatfield lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tonon at a distance.
Tonon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tonon swings widly with a right hand

and Hatfield counters with a crisp one two that drops Tonon! Hatfield thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Tonon to his feet! Tonon is in big trouble!

Tonon is rocked!
Hatfield cracks a nice hook into Tonon's ribs.
Tonon is still on wobbly legs! Can Hatfield finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hatfield ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tonon misses with a body shot
and Hatfield counters with a huge left! Tonon is in big trouble! He's backing up but Hatfield isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Tonon from any more damage. A dominating finish by Hatfield!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Riley Hatfield!
Riley Hatfield retains his lightweight title!
Riley Hatfield seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.