PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Cottero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Hawking (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawking has chosen One Winged Angel by The Black Mages as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cottero
vs
Hawking

170 cm
29
149 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

175 cm
36
153 lbs
33 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tommy Cottero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Hawking!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawking looks for a takedown but Cottero sprawls well.
Cottero misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hawking counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tommy Cottero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hawking changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cottero looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cottero struggling a bit here.

Hawking working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cottero is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hawking off and has taken his back!
Hawking is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Cottero off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cottero really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Hawking.

Cottero looking for the choke but no joy.

Cottero working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cottero wants to control but Hawking is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hawking's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Cottero has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hawking has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Cottero is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Hawking has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Hawking defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Cottero's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cottero working for a choke but Hawking is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hawking tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Cottero dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cottero uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cottero wants to clinch.
Cottero tries to clinch there but Hawking circles away.

Hawking decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cottero trying to control but Hawking postures up.

Cottero looking for submissions off his back.
Cottero on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cottero knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cottero wants to improve his position but Hawking is controlling well.
Cottero makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cottero.
Hawking must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cottero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hawking's guard.
Cottero seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tommy Cottero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hawking wants to sweep here but Cottero controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cottero stands and throws Hawking's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Cottero has an Americana. Hawking didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Cottero is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Cottero hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Tommy Cottero!
Tommy Cottero retains his lightweight title!
Tommy Cottero decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.