PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kurtis Hawke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Wrestler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kurtis Hawke has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hawke
vs
Wrestler

185 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kurtis Hawke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Billy Wrestler!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wrestler closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hawke did well to prevent Wrestler getting side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wrestler wants to pass the guard but Hawke is defending well.
Wrestler is keen to just control but Hawke is a slippery customer.
Hawke trying to hold on to Wrestler's head to control him but Wrestler postures up.
Wrestler is trying to control the action in half guard but Hawke is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wrestler trying to mount his opponent but Hawke defends it.
Wrestler trying to control from half guard but Hawke is working away.
Hawke is looking to control Wrestler's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hawke avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wrestler dives in and grabs Hawke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hawke pushes down on Wrestler's head and hops out.
No joy there for Hawke, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestler fails to land the takedown.
Hawke throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A punch combination from Hawke misses.
Hawke throws a series of strikes that have Wrestler backpedaling.
Wrestler shoots for a double leg takedown but Hawke sprawls well. He's pushed Wrestler's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurtis Hawke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Wrestler.

Wrestler looking to score a takedown here. Hawke is defending well but Wrestler drives through and ends up in Hawke's guard.
Wrestler is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wrestler won't allow Hawke to sweep him here.
Wrestler is in close to Hawke's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wrestler throwing strikes from guard but Hawke blocks nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawke is pulling down on Wrestler's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wrestler makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wrestler slips nicely into half guard.
Wrestler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wrestler misses with a head shot. Hawke uses the momentum to regain guard.
Wrestler trying to control but Hawke is working from the bottom.
Wrestler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wrestler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wrestler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hawke trying to keep a closed guard but Wrestler is proving a slippery customer.
Wrestler trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wrestler trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hawke manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hawke won't allow Wrestler to sweep him here.
Wrestler trying to control the position.
Hawke stays in close to Wrestler's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hawke!
Wrestler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hawke works over Wrestler's head and body with a nice combination.
Hawke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wrestler circles away quickly and effectively.
Hawke is breathing heavily.
Wrestler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wrestler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wrestler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hawke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hawke lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wrestler backs up against the cage.
Hawke shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Wrestler eats them both and turns towards Hawke to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hawke gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Wrestler to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wrestler trying to move into half guard but instead Hawke has managed to sweep!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wrestler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hawke manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Wrestler dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wrestler takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wrestler misses with a takedown attempt - Hawke sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hawke throws a combination. Wrestler tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kurtis Hawke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wrestler rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hawke counters with a two punch combo.
Wrestler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hawke lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wrestler backs up against the cage.
Hawke misses with a head kick.
A left and a right from Hawke both land. Nice combination.

Hawke gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hawke controls Wrestler momentarily but Wrestler frees himself.
Wrestler scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Wrestler has gone for a leg lock! Hawke slips out almost immediately though and dives into Wrestler's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wrestler can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hawke's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wrestler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawke is keeping the position for now.
Wrestler must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wrestler advances position into side control!
Hawke taking a bit of punishment here - Wrestler scoring with strikes.
Hawke takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Hawke is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hawke's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wrestler tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Wrestler working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Wrestler swings around for an armbar but Hawke sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Wrestler's guard.
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!
Wrestler is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Wrestler wants to free his trapped foot but Hawke is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wrestler is looking for submissions but instead, Hawke has regained full guard.
Billy Wrestler has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wrestler has gone for a leg lock! Hawke slips out almost immediately though and dives into Wrestler's guard.
Hawke won't allow Wrestler to sweep him here.
Wrestler really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hawke. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hawke trying to control the position from guard on top but Wrestler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hawke decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wrestler, up you get!
Wrestler shoots in but Hawke avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hawke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestler takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wrestler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hawke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurtis Hawke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Wrestler.

Wrestler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wrestler is trying to control the action in half guard but Hawke is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wrestler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wrestler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wrestler working over Hawke with some ground and pound. Hawke looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hawke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wrestler is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wrestler wants to take a breather but Hawke is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Wrestler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Wrestler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck for Wrestler with that takedown attempt.
Wrestler shoots in for a double leg but Hawke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kurtis Hawke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawke goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wrestler shoots in and drives through. Hawke sprawls well.
Kurtis Hawke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Wrestler.
Wrestler is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hawke.
Kurtis Hawke is winning the standup battle so far.
Hawke is looking to slow Wrestler down with leg kicks.
Wrestler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hawke stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hawke wants it to stay on the feet.
Hawke lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hawke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hawke throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hawke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wrestler shoots in and drives through. Hawke sprawls well.
Hawke throws a series of punches but Wrestler moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestler is looking to clinch.
Hawke scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Wrestler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kurtis Hawke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hawke goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wrestler dives in and grabs Hawke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hawke pushes down on Wrestler's head and hops out.
Hawke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hawke swinging wildly here.
Wrestler dives in and grabs Hawke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hawke pushes down on Wrestler's head and hops out.
Hawke shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Wrestler eats them both and turns towards Hawke to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wrestler checks a low kick from Hawke.
Hawke stuffs the takedown.
Hawke swinging wildly here.
Wrestler has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawke lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wrestler backs up against the cage.
Hawke throws a head kick but Wrestler moves out of range.
Wrestler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hawke sprawls well. Hawke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wrestler gets slowly back to his feet.

Wrestler scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wrestler is trying to ground and pound but Hawke uses the momentary lack of control by Wrestler to regain half guard.
Wrestler moves into full mount! Hawke won't be happy about that!
Wrestler is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kurtis Hawke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wrestler moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hawke has worked his arm free - good work by Hawke!
Hawke prevents Wrestler from moving into mount.
Billy Wrestler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wrestler is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Hawke will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Wrestler cracks Hawke with a big elbow.
Wrestler scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hawke to see if he's OK.
Hawke is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wrestler asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawke is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Wrestler passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hawke!
Wrestler sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wrestler lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Billy Wrestler.
I've got Wrestler 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Wrestler!