PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Xela Hooks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and LaVareius Quansonjohn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hooks
vs
Quansonjohn

190 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
149 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xela Hooks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, LaVareius Quansonjohn!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hooks swinging wildly here.

Quansonjohn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hooks is not content to let Quansonjohn control the position.
Hooks is looking to escape.
Hooks is not content to let Quansonjohn control the position.
Quansonjohn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Quansonjohn sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Quansonjohn wants to take a breather but Hooks is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by LaVareius Quansonjohn.
Quansonjohn throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hooks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Quansonjohn.
Hooks shoots in but no luck this time.
Hooks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Quansonjohn has Hooks up against the cage in a clinch.
Quansonjohn wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hooks has him pressed against the cage.
Quansonjohn prevents a takedown attempt there.
Quansonjohn manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hooks has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Quansonjohn after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xela Hooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quansonjohn is looking for a takedown.
Hooks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Quansonjohn wants to break the clinch but can't.

Quansonjohn jumps into guard, dragging Hooks to the mat.
Quansonjohn pulls Hooks in to control the position.
Hooks won't allow Quansonjohn to sweep him here.
Quansonjohn keeping full guard, as Hooks tries to pass.
Quansonjohn pulls Hooks in close to prevent any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Quansonjohn can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hooks wants to control from the top but Quansonjohn keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Quansonjohn dives in and scores a takedown into Hooks's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooks looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Quansonjohn drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hooks dives on top into guard.
Hooks wants to stand but Quansonjohn is controlling his posture from full guard.
Quansonjohn trying to control the position here.
Quansonjohn is trying to keep Hooks in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooks won't allow Quansonjohn to get back to his feet.
Quansonjohn trying to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. LaVareius Quansonjohn hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Quansonjohn misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Quansonjohn misses with a takedown attempt - Hooks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Quansonjohn looks winded!
Hooks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Quansonjohn's waist but Quansonjohn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hooks off to one side.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hooks shoots for a double leg takedown but Quansonjohn sprawls well. He's pushed Hooks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Quansonjohn scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVareius Quansonjohn 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.

Quansonjohn instigates a clinch.

Quansonjohn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hooks is looking to clinch but Quansonjohn is avoiding it.
Quansonjohn avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hooks tries to clinch up.
Quansonjohn displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hooks.
Quansonjohn looks to land a combination. Hooks sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Xela Hooks has been cut.
Quansonjohn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hooks shoots in looking for a takedown. Quansonjohn tries to sprawl out of it but Hooks keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Quansonjohn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hooks shoots for a double leg takedown but Quansonjohn sprawls well. He's pushed Hooks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xela Hooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Quansonjohn fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hooks, pushing him back against the cage.
Hooks tries to pull guard but Quansonjohn won't allow it.

Quansonjohn breaks the clinch.
Hooks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Quansonjohn stuffs the takedown attempt from Hooks. Hooks gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Quansonjohn has managed to clinch.

Quansonjohn breaks the clinch.

Quansonjohn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Quansonjohn is trying to pull guard but Hooks turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hooks has Quansonjohn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Quansonjohn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Quansonjohn breaks the clinch.
Hooks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hooks throws a combination that misses

and Quansonjohn counters by clinching up.

Quansonjohn decides to pull guard.
Quansonjohn is pulling down on Hooks's head. It's preventing any offense from Hooks, at least for the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Quansonjohn is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Quansonjohn is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Hooks dives into side control.
Quansonjohn tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hooks wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hooks stands up.
Hooks fails with a takedown attempt.
Xela Hooks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Quansonjohn shoots in but Hooks avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Quansonjohn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hooks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Quansonjohn tries to avoid it but Hooks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Quansonjohn to the ground. Quansonjohn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Quansonjohn scores with a hook to the body. Hooks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quansonjohn misses with a kick to the body.

Quansonjohn closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hooks's guard.
Quansonjohn trying to control the position from guard on top but Hooks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Quansonjohn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hooks trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVareius Quansonjohn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Xela Hooks's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hooks leaves Quansonjohn with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Quansonjohn avoids the head kick by Hooks.
Hooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Quansonjohn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Quansonjohn will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hooks dives in and grabs Quansonjohn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Quansonjohn pushes down on Hooks's head and hops out.
Sloppy strikes from Quansonjohn. Those never looked like landing.
Quansonjohn tries a head kick but it misses.
Quansonjohn displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hooks.

Quansonjohn drives through and clinches with Hooks against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Quansonjohn wants a takedown.
Xela Hooks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LaVareius Quansonjohn.
Hooks is trying to pull guard but Quansonjohn has him pressed against the cage.
Quansonjohn is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hooks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A left hand lands to the body for Quansonjohn.

Quansonjohn gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hooks regains guard.
Hooks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Quansonjohn manages to get himself to full guard.
Quansonjohn has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Hooks has passed into side control.
Hooks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Quansonjohn keeps working.

Hooks decides to stand up, so the ref orders Quansonjohn to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quansonjohn shoots in looking for a takedown. Hooks tries to sprawl out of it but Quansonjohn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hooks manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hooks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice combination there by Quansonjohn.
Quansonjohn shoots for a takedown but Hooks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hooks shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooks looks for the body kick but Quansonjohn saw that one coming.
Quansonjohn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Quansonjohn throws a leg kick but Hooks checks it.
Hooks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice sprawl there from Quansonjohn as Hooks shoots in.
Some wild striking there from Quansonjohn.
Quansonjohn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Quansonjohn throws a head kick but Hooks moves out of range.
Hooks swats away the attempt to clinch by Quansonjohn.

Hooks pushes Quansonjohn up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooks is looking for a takedown.
Quansonjohn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hooks.

Quansonjohn is trying to trip Hooks. He has hold of a leg but Hooks is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Quansonjohn persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Quansonjohn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hooks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Quansonjohn.
Hooks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Quansonjohn trying to control but Hooks is working from the bottom.
Quansonjohn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hooks is keeping the position for now.
Xela Hooks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
LaVareius Quansonjohn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Quansonjohn with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
LaVareius Quansonjohn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Quansonjohn has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... LaVareius Quansonjohn!