PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Sisko (ranked 2165 p4p, 1562 weight class) and Thufir Hawat (ranked 295 p4p, 216 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Sisko
vs
Hawat

180 cm
29
180
12 - 8 - 0

185 cm
28
178
16 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Benjamin Sisko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thufir Hawat!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawat throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sisko looks to throw the jab but Hawat is out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sisko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

It looks like Thufir Hawat has been cut.
Hawat lands with a nice body punch.
Sisko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sisko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hawat moves out of range as Sisko strikes.
Hawat slips under a jab from Sisko.
Sisko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've been hearing reports that Sisko has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Sisko throws a hook but Hawat avoids it easily.
Hawat tries a quick counter leg kick but Sisko is wise to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sisko throws a shot from downtown. Hawat moves away and avoids it.
Sisko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
That kick from Hawat tenderised Sisko's leg. Sisko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hawat looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sisko throwing a counter right hand but Hawat manages to avoid it.
Hawat tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sisko is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sisko looks to land a left hand but Hawat moved out of range nicely.
Sisko defending well as Hawat loads up on a big left hand.
Sisko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hawat fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sisko is out of range.
Thufir Hawat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hawat with a nice calf kick.
Sisko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sisko throwing a counter right hand but Hawat manages to avoid it.
Sisko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hawat.
Hawat misses the shot to the body.
Hawat throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sisko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hawat throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hawat throws a right hand that Sisko ducks under and follows up with a left that Sisko also avoids with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Sisko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sisko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sisko checks a leg kick.
Sisko shoots in looking for a takedown but Hawat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sisko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawat throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hawat tries to land a front kick but Sisko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hawat.
Sisko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hawat on the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Sisko.
Hawat is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sisko rather than just go for the knockout.
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!
Hawat connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sisko avoids a kick to the body.
Sisko scores with a hook.
Sisko ducks under a wild hook from Hawat.
Hawat scores with a decent looking hook.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hawat!
Hawat jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sisko is looking to counter punch.
Hawat connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sisko. Sisko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawat scores with a punch to the head.
Hawat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hawat staying out of range there.
As Sisko backs off Hawat throws a huge counter combo but Sisko manages to avoid it all.
No luck for Sisko with that takedown attempt.
Sisko slips under a jab from Hawat.
Hawat slips a jab from Sisko.
Hawat clobbers Sisko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hawat lands a nice shot that snaps Sisko's head back.
Hawat moves out of range as Sisko strikes.
Sisko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hawat.
Hawat slips under a jab.
Hawat blocks a jab.
A low kick from Hawat misses
and Sisko counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sisko throws a right and a left that Hawat avoids nicely.
Hawat is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sisko with a body shot.
Sisko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hawat. Hawat obviously looking to wear him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Sisko.
Hawat scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sisko throws a hook but Hawat avoids it easily.
Hawat connects with the punch.
Sisko misses with a hook.
Hawat throws a lazy body kick
and Sisko counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sisko misses with a jab to the body
and Hawat counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hawat loads up on a big right hand but Sisko slips the punch.
Hawat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sisko manages to avoid it.
Sisko slips a jab from Hawat.
Sisko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thufir Hawat's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sisko blocks a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Sisko misses the target.
Sisko steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hawat. That one must have hurt.
Sisko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sisko avoids the head kick by Hawat.
Sisko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hawat as he avoids it easily.
Hawat doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hawat moves out of range as Sisko strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Sisko misses the target.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sisko might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Hawat bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hawat scores with a head kick. Sisko tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawat looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hawat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sisko.
Hawat throws a nice looking combination but Sisko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hawat getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hawat catches Sisko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Sisko misses the target.
Hawat throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sisko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sisko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hawat swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sisko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hawat sprawls well. Hawat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sisko gets slowly back to his feet.
Hawat scores with a shot to the body.
Sisko takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hawat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A shot to the liver by Hawat. Beautiful body shot.
A good leg kick by Hawat.
Hawat throws a body kick that misses.
Hawat looks to land a right hand but Sisko moved out of range.
Hawat lands with a cross.
Sisko looks to land a left hand but Hawat moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Hawat was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawat lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hawat changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thufir Hawat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sisko connects with the punch.
Hawat throws a body punch but Sisko moves out of range.
Hawat pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hawat swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sisko slips a jab and a cross from Hawat.
Hawat jabs Sisko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hawat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawat bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sisko's head backwards.
Sisko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hawat counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hawat throws a head kick but Sisko moves out of range.
Sisko tests Hawat's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sisko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice uppercut there from Hawat.
Sisko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hawat counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hawat waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sisko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawat fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sisko is out of range.
Sisko looks to land a right hand but Hawat moved out of range.
Sisko throws an off balance right hand
and Hawat makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The fighters circling - Sisko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sisko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hawat tried to score with a low kick but Sisko checks it.
Hawat slips a jab from Sisko.
Hawat fakes the leg kick and cracks Sisko in the body.
Sisko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hawat throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hawat feints a jab promting Sisko to slip. Hawat then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sisko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sisko looks to throw the jab but Hawat is out of range.
Hawat misses with a two punch combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thufir Hawat's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hawat slips under a jab from Sisko.
Hawat fakes the leg kick and cracks Sisko in the body.
Sisko moves forwards but Hawat connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hawat misses with a body kick.
A slow jab from Sisko misses its intended target.
Hawat scores with a shot to the body.
Hawat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hawat punishes Sisko's body with a nice straight punch.
Hawat uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sisko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawat looks to land a body kick but Sisko moved away.
A solid body kick from Hawat.
Sisko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sisko moves out of range of the body kick from Hawat.
Sisko is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sisko misses the jab.
Sisko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hawat throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hawat swings away with a body shot that misses

and Sisko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hawat's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hawat avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hawat is adopting a defensive guard.
Sisko's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sisko has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hawat working a defensive guard here.
Thufir Hawat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sisko looking to sit in guard and control but Hawat gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sisko keeping moving, preventing Hawat from controlling successfully.
Sisko is pulling down on Hawat's head to control his posture.
My spies in Animal Fight Club inform me that Hawat has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Hawat is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sisko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hawat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sisko is keeping the position for now.
Hawat throwing strikes from guard but Sisko blocks nicely.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hawat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sisko manages to avoid it.
Sisko throwing a counter right hand but Hawat manages to avoid it.
Thufir Hawat seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Hawat misses the target.

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.
Hawat listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sisko moves out of range as Hawat throws a body kick.
Sisko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sisko misses with a straight right.
Hawat lands with a right hand.
Hawat throws out a powerful jab.
A big right from Sisko misses.
Jab from Hawat.
Hawat chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sisko throws a right hand that misses
and Hawat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sisko's knee momentarily.
Sisko misses the shot to the body.
Benjamin Sisko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hawat misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thufir Hawat comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hawat 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thufir Hawat!
Thufir Hawat decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.