PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riley Hatfield (ranked 762 p4p, 661 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 107 p4p, 94 weight class). Hatfield comes to the cage accompanied by Cruel World- Willie Nelson. The crowd seem to be enjoying Howlett's choice of entrance music: Indestructible. This should be a great matchup!

Hatfield
vs
Howlett

174 cm
32
160
23 - 15 - 0

167 cm
26
160
11 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

NARCOS

Senshi Fight Gear
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Riley Hatfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatfield lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Howlett blocks the leg kick.
Hatfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Howlett.
Hatfield throws a leg kick which misses Howlett's front leg but catches the back leg as Howlett tries to avoid it.
Hatfield just misses with a punch to the body.
Howlett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hatfield.
Hatfield bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Howlett's head.
Howlett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hatfield defends well and Howlett ends up having to push Hatfield into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Howlett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hatfield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hatfield was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hatfield throws a lazy head kick

and Howlett counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hatfield is looking to stand back up but Howlett counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Hatfield.

Howlett prevents Hatfield from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howlett prevents Hatfield from standing back up.
Howlett trying to control from half guard but Hatfield is working away.
Hatfield won't allow Howlett to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howlett is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hatfield doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Howlett.
Howlett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hatfield keeps working.

Hatfield looking for submissions off his back.

Hatfield kicks Howlett off and gets back to his feet.
A slow jab from Hatfield misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Hatfield misses.
Hatfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Howlett moves away.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut. Howlett saw that one coming.

Howlett scores with a takedown into Hatfield's guard.
Hatfield is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Howlett dives into side control.
Howlett trying to control the action but Hatfield is working from the bottom.
Hatfield is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Howlett trying to control the action but Hatfield is working from the bottom.
Hatfield tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield is trying to stand back up.
Hatfield prevents Howlett from getting a body triangle.
Hatfield is trying to get back to his feet but Howlett has full control of the position and if anything, Hatfield has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Howlett tightening his grip on Hatfield, looking for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hatfield showing good submission defense here.

Howlett is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hatfield is defending well though. Howlett let's go of the attempt for now.
Hatfield trying to get back to his feet but Howlett is in full control for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hatfield misses the jab.
Howlett tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hatfield throws a right hand that Howlett ducks under and follows up with a left that Howlett also avoids with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Hatfield as Howlett shoots in.
Howlett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.
Howlett shoots in and drives through. Hatfield sprawls well.
James Howlett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A clash of legs there as Howlett blocks the low kick.
Hatfield with a jab.
Riley Hatfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hatfield scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Howlett shoots in but Hatfield avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Riley Hatfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Howlett.
Hatfield fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Howlett checks it well.
Hatfield connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett tries to clinch up.
Howlett takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hatfield throws a leg kick

and Howlett counters with a single leg into guard. Hatfield didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Howlett won't allow Hatfield to get back to his feet.
Hatfield wants to get back to his feet but Howlett passes into half guard.
Howlett is looking to advance position but Hatfield won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett stops Hatfield from getting back to his feet.
Howlett missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Howlett passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hatfield!
Hatfield is squirming around, avoiding Howlett's attempts to control the action.
Hatfield is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Howlett sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Howlett takes Hatfield's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Hatfield is in trouble.
Hatfield is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hatfield showing good submission defense here.
Hatfield wants to get back to his feet.

Howlett working for a choke but Hatfield is defending well.
Hatfield trying to get back to his feet but Howlett is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hatfield is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Howlett keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hatfield.
Hatfield will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hatfield defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Howlett.
Decent striking displayed by Hatfield there.
Howlett slips a jab from Hatfield.
A lazy left from Hatfield finds it's target.
Hatfield scores with a hook.
Hatfield throws a hook but Howlett blocks it.
A lazy left from Hatfield finds it's target.

Howlett has taken the fight to the clinch.
Howlett is working for takedown but Hatfield is calmly controlling the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hatfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howlett shoots for a takedown but Hatfield saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Howlett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hatfield swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatfield.

Howlett drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hatfield wants to stand up but Howlett is controlling him.

Hatfield has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Howlett has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Hatfield breaks the clinch.
Hatfield stuffs the takedown attempt from Howlett. Howlett gets slowly back to his feet.
Hatfield wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The fight stays on the outside here - Howlett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Hatfield dominated that second round.
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!

Sloppy strikes from Hatfield. Those never looked like landing.
Howlett dives in and grabs Hatfield's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hatfield pushes down on Howlett's head and hops out.
Howlett shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Howlett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hatfield is looking to counter punch.
Hatfield lands a jab to the nose.
Riley Hatfield is winning the standup battle so far.
Hatfield misses with a low kick.
Hatfield connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Howlett shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hatfield but Hatfield pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Riley Hatfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Howlett.
Hatfield misses with a body shot.

Hatfield gets caught napping as Howlett dives in and scores a takedown. Hatfield manages to retain guard.
Howlett slips nicely into half guard.

Howlett wants to work for an arm triangle but Hatfield is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hatfield tries to kick Howlett off in order to stand up. Howlett Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Howlett controls the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howlett prevents Hatfield from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Howlett.
Howlett advances to mount.
Howlett tries to control but Hatfield wriggling away.
Howlett sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Howlett throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Howlett thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Howlett wants to take his opponent's back but Hatfield doesn't allow it.
Howlett tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Howlett has taken his back!
Hatfield trying to get back to his feet but Howlett is in full control for now.

Hatfield showing good submission defense here.

Howlett looking for the RNC.
Hatfield is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Howlett has his opponent's back but Hatfield is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Howlett.
Howlett blocks a jab.
Howlett moves away from the strike by Hatfield.
Howlett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatfield throws out the jab.
Howlett closes the distance and clinches up with Hatfield, looking for a takedown. Howlett pushes Hatfield against the cage but Hatfield circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hatfield jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut. Howlett saw that one coming.
Hatfield getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hatfield lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield misses with a low kick.
Hatfield connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice uppercut lands for Hatfield. That snapped Howlett's head back.
Howlett shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Howlett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hatfield loads up on a big right hand but Howlett slips the punch.
Howlett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hatfield lands a really nice looking cross but Howlett seems unphased.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Howlett blocks a jab.
Hatfield lands with a straight right. Howlett didn't see that one coming.
Hatfield throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Howlett shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hatfield scores with a jab. Howlett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Riley Hatfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut.
Hatfield displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Howlett.
Hatfield cracks Howlett with a right hand to the side of the head.
Howlett shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hatfield defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riley Hatfield showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hatfield has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riley Hatfield!
Riley Hatfield decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.