PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Hawkes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Armstrong
vs
Hawkes

204 cm
18
214 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

170 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Desmond Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Brandon Hawkes!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Armstrong dodges the punch combination from Hawkes.
Hawkes misses with a few strikes there.

Hawkes closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Armstrong's guard.

Armstrong is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hawkes defends well.
Hawkes wanted to stand there but Armstrong had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkes trying to control the position from guard on top but Armstrong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hawkes throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong wants to stand and escape but Hawkes is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawkes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Armstrong's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Hawkes gets a clinch.

Armstrong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hawkes closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Armstrong to the mat! Armstrong manages to get full guard.

Armstrong is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Hawkes presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Armstrong tries to pull guard but Hawkes won't allow it.
Armstrong lands an elbow inside that Hawkes shrugs off.

Hawkes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
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!
Hawkes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Armstrong counters with a shoot takedown. Hawkes fights it but they end up in guard.
Hawkes wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong passes into half guard.

Armstrong landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Armstrong missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Armstrong wants to control but Hawkes is keeping him busy.
Armstrong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hawkes on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Armstrong missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Armstrong is looking for a kimura but Hawkes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Armstrong to get the leverage.
Hawkes wants to control but Armstrong is keeping busy.
Hawkes is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes is trying to maintain the position but Armstrong is very close to passing his half guard.
Hawkes is trying to stand back up but Armstrong is controlling him
Hawkes wants to get back to full guard but Armstrong has mounted him!
Hawkes looks winded!
Hawkes tries to hold on but Armstrong postures up.
Armstrong tries to control but Hawkes wriggling away.
Armstrong moves to the back.
Armstrong throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Armstrong has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hawkes's body.
Armstrong misses with a punch to the head.
Armstrong loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Hawkes hold on?
Hawkes can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Desmond Armstrong 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.

Armstrong clinches up with Hawkes and pushes him back against the cage.

Hawkes has clasped his hands together around Armstrong's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Hawkes moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Hawkes tries for a kimura but Armstrong is defending well.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hawkes has eaten all the pies!
Hawkes working away.
Armstrong has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hawkes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Armstrong tries to bench press Hawkes off him but Hawkes keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong can't do much from the bottom here.
Hawkes looking to control but instead Armstrong has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Hawkes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hawkes tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Armstrong wants to control but Hawkes is keeping busy.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hawkes is looking to take a break and control but Armstrong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hawkes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Armstrong counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hawkes!
Hawkes is breathing heavily.
Armstrong lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hawkes down.
Armstrong slows the pace down.
Hawkes is looking to reverse the position.
Hawkes is holding Armstrong down, trying to stall.
Armstrong working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes is not content to let Armstrong control the position.
Armstrong looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Hawkes is avoiding damage well.

Armstrong is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hawkes has escaped the position, nice work there.

Armstrong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hawkes wants to control but Armstrong postures up.
Hawkes is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Armstrong throws an elbow but Hawkes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Armstrong is looking to take a break and control but Hawkes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawkes is trying to get back to half guard.
Hawkes is trying to control Armstrong's posture but Armstrong avoids it.
Hawkes avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Armstrong.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Armstrong decides to stand back up. Armstrong steps back and let's Hawkes get back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hawkes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Desmond Armstrong dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Armstrong blocks the body kick.
Hawkes shoots in for a double leg but Armstrong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Brandon Hawkes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hawkes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Armstrong's half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Armstrong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Armstrong is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Armstrong pulls Hawkes in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkes with a nice head shot there.
Hawkes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong has Hawkes pulled in close to control his posture.
Desmond Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

Armstrong working for a triangle but Hawkes defends it easily.
Armstrong is trying to control the position but Hawkes postures up.
Hawkes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Armstrong is pulling down on Hawkes's head. It's preventing any offense from Hawkes, at least for the moment.

Hawkes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Armstrong manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hawkes has Armstrong in his guard.

Armstrong wants to stand but Hawkes is controlling his posture from full guard.
Armstrong wants to stand and escape but instead Hawkes has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes throws an elbow that misses. Armstrong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hawkes's guard. Nice move by Armstrong!

Hawkes wants to stand and escape but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Armstrong stands up over Hawkes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Hawkes keeps moving.
Hawkes has a closed guard, preventing Armstrong from standing up.

Hawkes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes wants to stand but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Hawkes controls Armstrong momentarily but Armstrong frees himself.
Armstrong landing with the ground and pound.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Hawkes keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Armstrong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brandon Hawkes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Desmond Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hawkes wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Desmond Armstrong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Armstrong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Desmond Armstrong!