PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Paris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Hathaway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Paris
vs
Hathaway

183 cm
30
185 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

187 cm
21
193 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

THRIFTY THREADS

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Paris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Hathaway!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Paris with that takedown attempt.
Hathaway tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Paris manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Paris tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hathaway swivels and escapes.

Hathaway has closed the distance and engaged Paris in a clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Paris has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hathaway dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Paris tries for a takedown but Hathaway manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Paris. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hathaway struggles to land a body shot inside as Paris controls his hands.
Hathaway lands a right hand.

It looks like Craig Paris has been cut.
Paris prevents a body shot from Hathaway.
A shot in the inside from Hathaway.
Hathaway lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hathaway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Paris drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hathaway pulls his leg out and moves away.
Paris looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hathaway drives through and clinches with Paris against the cage.
Paris can't get the takedown.
Hathaway throws a punch but it's blocked by Paris.
Hathaway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Paris is defending well for now.
Hathaway lands with a light punch inside.
Hathaway tries to throw a body punch but Paris avoids it by throwing Hathaway back against the cage.
Hathaway has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Paris prevents a body shot from Hathaway.
Paris prevents a body shot from Hathaway.
Paris managing to block the knees to the body from Hathaway.

Paris gets control of Hathaway's arms and successfully pulls guard. Paris will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hathaway stopping the sweep attempt from Paris.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Paris looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hathaway wants to stand but Paris is controlling his posture from full guard.

Paris has his foot on Hathaway's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hathaway works his way back into a safe position though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hathaway got a little sloppy there for a moment and Paris has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hathaway has managed to get both his arms back between Paris's legs - danger averted.

Paris is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Hathaway frees his head nicely. Oh but Paris has switched to an armbar! Hathaway is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Craig Paris!