PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Renken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tane Nighthawk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nighthawk comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tane Mahuta kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Renken
vs
Nighthawk

210 cm
21
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Apocalypse Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hugh Renken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tane Nighthawk!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Renken avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Renken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hugh Renken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nighthawk avoids the body shot from Renken.

Renken has managed to clinch.
Renken missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nighthawk throws an elbow but misses.
Renken avoiding damage as Nighthawk throws knees to the body.

Renken escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nighthawk tries to clinch
and Renken counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nighthawk wants to clinch but Renken slips to the side
and Nighthawk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renken tries for a takedown but Nighthawk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nighthawk looks to clinch
and Renken counters with a left to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Renken.
Nighthawk tries to clinch up
and Renken counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nighthawk tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Renken counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Renken.
Renken manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nighthawk throws an elbow but misses.
Nighthawk using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Renken has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Renken stalling the fight.
Renken goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nighthawk prevents it.
Come on Renken - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Renken breaks from the clinch.
Renken ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nighthawk closes the distance but Renken moves to the side

and Renken counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Renken.
Nighthawk keeping moving, preventing Renken from controlling successfully.

Nighthawk has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Renken off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Nighthawk wants to clinch but Renken slips to the side

and Renken counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Renken taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Renken turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Renken is looking to take a break and control but Nighthawk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renken taking a break here but Nighthawk is having none of it and regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nighthawk manages to get to full guard.
Nighthawk trying to keep a closed guard but Renken is proving a slippery customer.
Nighthawk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Renken wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Renken dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Renken tries to clinch up.
Renken shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Renken misses with a wild body shot.

Nighthawk drives through and clinches with Renken against the cage.
Nighthawk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nighthawk throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Renken has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nighthawk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nighthawk lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nighthawk lands an elbow that stopped Renken in his tracks for a moment.
Nighthawk throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Renken breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nighthawk looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Renken trying to keep a closed guard but Nighthawk is proving a slippery customer.
Nighthawk passes Renken's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Renken wants to control but Nighthawk is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Renken knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nighthawk on the ground.
Nighthawk is tying to control. Renken wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Renken manages to get to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Renken keeping moving, preventing Nighthawk from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Renken trying to control the position here.
Renken utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Renken is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nighthawk tries to free his leg and advance position but Renken is retaining full guard.
Renken trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Renken looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Nighthawk drops back looking for a leg! Renken is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Renken manages to kick Nighthawk off! Nighthawk jumps back into Renken's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Renken misses the shot to the body.
Renken misses with a wild body shot.
Nighthawk closes the distance but Renken moves to the side

and Renken counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Renken manages to break the clinch.
Tane Nighthawk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Renken thows a body shot but no joy.
Renken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nighthawk.
Nighthawk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Renken pinned against the cage. Renken gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Nighthawk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Renken's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Renken throws an overhand right that lands on Nighthawk's shoulder, as Nighthawk tries to avoid the shot.
Nighthawk wants to clinch but Renken slips to the side

and Renken counters by moving into the clinch.
Renken is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nighthawk gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nighthawk misses with an elbow strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Renken.

Nighthawk manages to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Renken accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Renken avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Renken showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nighthawk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renken stopping the sweep attempt from Nighthawk.
Renken throws a big right hand that misses.

Renken stands up from Nighthawk's guard - Renken perhaps looking for a knockout.
Renken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Renken shoots in but no luck this time.

Renken drives through and clinches with Nighthawk against the cage.

Renken breaks the clinch.
Renken is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nighthawk tries to clinch but Renken moves away

and Renken holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Nighthawk jumps guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nighthawk wants to stand but Renken is controlling the position.
Renken lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Renken has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Renken in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nighthawk is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nighthawk keeping moving, preventing Renken from controlling successfully.

Renken avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Renken trying to control but Nighthawk is working from the bottom.

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.
Renken controlling from the top position.
Renken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nighthawk is keeping the position for now.
Renken content to stall in guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugh Renken showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Renken 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Renken!