PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kolohe Hakoa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Van Vanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hakoa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ol Dirty Bastard - Snakes. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hakoa
vs
Vanders

179 cm
24
208 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

179 cm
27
210 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kolohe Hakoa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Van Vanders!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hakoa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Vanders tries for a takedown but Hakoa circles away easily
and Hakoa counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vanders is lucky that one didn't land flush.

It looks like Van Vanders has been cut.

Hakoa pushes Vanders up against the cage in a clinch.

Hakoa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hakoa gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hakoa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vanders with a poor takedown

and Hakoa counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vanders looking for a takedown.
Kolohe Hakoa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Vanders.
Vanders tries for a takedown but Hakoa manages to get underhooks.
Vanders can't get the takedown.

Hakoa pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vanders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vanders preventing the sweep.
Hakoa trying to keep a closed guard but Vanders is proving a slippery customer.
Hakoa keeping full guard, as Vanders tries to pass.
Hakoa is pulling down on Vanders's head to control his posture.

Hakoa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanders wants to pass the guard but Hakoa is keeping the position.
Vanders is looking to work some ground and pound but Hakoa has wrist control.

Hakoa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vanders works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hakoa gets full guard.
Hakoa wants to sweep here but Vanders controlling him for the moment.
Vanders postures up in Hakoa's guard and throws a big left but Hakoa blocks it.
Hakoa wants to get back to his feet but Vanders is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hakoa wriggles free and stands up.
Nice sprawl there from Hakoa as Vanders shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Hakoa finds it's target.
A solid body kick from Hakoa.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hakoa scores with a nice body kick.
Vanders misses with a takedown attempt
and Hakoa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hakoa lands a lovely overhand right.
Hakoa cracks Vanders with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hakoa connects with the punch.
Hakoa throws out a powerful jab.

Hakoa looking to score a takedown here. Vanders is defending well but Hakoa drives through and ends up in Vanders's guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vanders is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hakoa is aware though and is defending well.
Vanders looks gassed!

Hakoa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hakoa looking to pass the guard.
Hakoa throws a big right hand that misses.
Hakoa wants to control from the top but Vanders keeps moving.

Hakoa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hakoa advances position into side control!

Hakoa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Vanders gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Hakoa wants to work for an arm triangle but Vanders is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Vanders wants to sweep but Hakoa has passed to side control!
Vanders sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Vanders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hakoa trying to control the action but Vanders is working from the bottom.
Vanders tries to roll over but Hakoa keeps him under control.

Hakoa is working for a kimura but Vanders is defending it quite comfortably.
Hakoa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vanders regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hakoa advances to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hakoa passes the guard and advances to mount!
Vanders tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kolohe Hakoa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Van Vanders's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vanders shoots and misses

and Hakoa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Vanders is looking to improve his position.

Hakoa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Vanders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vanders is defending against the submission attempts here by Hakoa.
Vanders wants to improve his position but Hakoa is controlling well.

Vanders looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hakoa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Vanders on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vanders manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Hakoa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vanders looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hakoa passes into side control.

Hakoa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vanders is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hakoa trying to control the position but Vanders is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanders tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hakoa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vanders, who protects the arm well.

Hakoa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vanders, who protects the arm well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vanders tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hakoa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Vanders sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Vanders with the active half guard here but Hakoa passes nicely into side control.
Hakoa scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hakoa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vanders, who protects the arm well.
Vanders tries to buck Hakoa off but Hakoa is having none of it.
The ground and pound from Hakoa seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Vanders manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hakoa's best efforts.
Vanders is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hakoa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hakoa's back!
Vanders is breathing heavily.
Hakoa tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Vanders wants to finish this one by submission but Hakoa is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vanders.
Hakoa working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vanders working for a submission but Hakoa is keeping him at bay.
Vanders throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Hakoa tries to hold on but Vanders pushes him away.
Vanders throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Vanders punching from mount but Hakoa doing a good job of avoiding damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vanders lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hakoa hang on?
Vanders thowing shots but they're missing.

Vanders swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hakoa is now in Vanders's guard. A big mistake from Vanders there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hakoa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Hakoa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kolohe Hakoa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Van Vanders's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vanders with a poor takedown
and Hakoa counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vanders is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Vanders takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Hakoa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hakoa content to stall in guard here.

Vanders is looking for a triangle here but Hakoa uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Hakoa decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Vanders doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hakoa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hakoa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Vanders is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vanders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hakoa wants to control from the top but Vanders keeps moving.
Hakoa advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanders moves into full guard.
Hakoa wants to control from the top but Vanders keeps moving.
Hakoa preventing the sweep.
Hakoa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hakoa trying to control the position from guard on top but Vanders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vanders keeping full guard, as Hakoa tries to pass.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hakoa with a nice head shot there.

Vanders had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hakoa defends it easily.
Kolohe Hakoa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hakoa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vanders has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hakoa has managed to get both his arms back between Vanders's legs - danger averted.
Van Vanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakoa is pushing down on Vanders's leg trying to pass to half guard. Vanders is fighting to maintain full guard but Hakoa has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hakoa uses his free foot to push down on Vanders's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Vanders.
Vanders is squirming around, avoiding Hakoa's attempts to control the action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vanders keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Vanders is bucking up trying to escape but Hakoa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Hakoa is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Hakoa lands with a nice combination. Vanders backs away looking to recover.
Hakoa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kolohe Hakoa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vanders takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Vanders fails with the takedown
and Hakoa counters with a nice uppercut.
Kolohe Hakoa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Vanders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanders takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hakoa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hakoa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hakoa wants it to stay on the feet.

Hakoa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Vanders!
Vanders is trying to escape the mount.
Hakoa is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Vanders can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hakoa working Vanders over with strikes here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hakoa working for a submission but Vanders is keeping him at bay.
Vanders is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hakoa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Vanders to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Vanders shrugs it off.
Hakoa pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Hakoa cracks Vanders with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Vanders blocking the ground and pound.
Vanders is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hakoa lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Vanders throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hakoa scoring with strikes but Vanders is staying in there.
Kolohe Hakoa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Vanders is rocked!
Vanders really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Vanders is still in real trouble! Can Hakoa finish him?
Vanders throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kolohe Hakoa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hakoa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kolohe Hakoa!