PBP Commentary

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

Hawkins
vs
Ribeiro

180 cm
22
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
184 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lance Hawkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Ribeiro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hawkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawkins throws a combination that misses

and Ribeiro counters by clinching up.

Ribeiro has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hawkins uses from the top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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

Hawkins has gone for a leg lock! Ribeiro slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hawkins's guard.
Ribeiro passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ribeiro is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hawkins has a closed guard, preventing Ribeiro from standing up.
Ribeiro looking to sit in guard and control but Hawkins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hawkins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ribeiro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hawkins.
Hawkins postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins being controlled here momentarily.
Hawkins sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ribeiro's guard.
Hawkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hawkins wants to pass to mount but Ribeiro is defending the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ribeiro gets full guard.

Ribeiro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hawkins is aware though and is defending well.

Ribeiro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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!
Ribeiro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hawkins.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ribeiro is looking for a triangle but Hawkins pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ribeiro looking to control.

Ribeiro has an active guard here but Hawkins has managed to pass into half guard.
Ribeiro is trying to control but can't.
Hawkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hawkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hawkins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Ribeiro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hawkins sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ribeiro defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro is pressing down on Hawkins's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Ribeiro looking for subs off his back but Hawkins has passed one foot through into half guard.
Ribeiro looks gassed!
Hawkins is nestled in close to Ribeiro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ribeiro is trying to get back to full guard.
Ribeiro trying to control but Hawkins postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hawkins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Hawkins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ribeiro has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Ribeiro will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ribeiro shoots in but no luck this time.
Hawkins tries to bum rush Ribeiro with a series of wild strikes but Ribeiro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ribeiro shoots for a takedown but Hawkins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hawkins swinging wildly here.
Ribeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Lance Hawkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Ribeiro.

Ribeiro looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hawkins!
Hawkins regains half guard.
Ribeiro not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ribeiro is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hawkins has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hawkins manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ribeiro content to stall in guard here.
Hawkins keeping full guard, as Ribeiro tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hawkins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ribeiro is aware though and is defending well.

Ribeiro postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hawkins is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ribeiro, into his guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ribeiro can do anything to dispel that myth.

Ribeiro pushes a forearm under Hawkins's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Hawkins is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Ribeiro!