PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lamont Hawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell Whitaker Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawkins comes to the cage accompanied by Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hawkins
vs
Whitaker Jr

174 cm
34
163 lbs
16 - 3 - 1

177 cm
29
167 lbs
25 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

BHP Clothing
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Hellbent
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Lamont Hawkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pernell Whitaker Jr!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawkins turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hawkins fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Whitaker Jr has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hawkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hawkins takes one on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker Jr. Hawkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawkins scores with a jab.
Lamont Hawkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawkins connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Whitaker Jr's hands.
Whitaker Jr's coach down at Hell's Balls NY Hellcademy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Whitaker Jr's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hawkins throws out a leg kick but Whitaker Jr moves out of range and Hawkins only half commits.
Nice defenses there by Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Whitaker Jr checks a leg kick nicely.
Hawkins throws a hook but Whitaker Jr avoids it easily.
A big right from Hawkins misses.
Hawkins shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hawkins doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hawkins has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Razor Sharp Training Systems in the buildup to the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hawkins bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Whitaker Jr as he checks the leg kick.
A nice side step and Whitaker Jr releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hawkins throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Whitaker Jr on the side of the head.
Lamont Hawkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Whitaker Jr misses with an uppercut. Hawkins saw that one coming.
Whitaker Jr takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Whitaker Jr bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Whitaker Jr shoots in for a takedown but Hawkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hawkins thows a body kick. Whitaker Jr tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Whitaker Jr takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Whitaker Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hawkins moves away.
Hawkins lands a jab to the nose.

Hawkins gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whitaker Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitaker Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
Whitaker Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Whitaker Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Whitaker Jr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hawkins. Hawkins obviously looking to wear him down.
Whitaker Jr attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Whitaker Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hawkins throws a shot to the body.
Whitaker Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Whitaker Jr throws a good cross that connects.
A leg kick checked by Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Whitaker Jr checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hawkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whitaker Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Whitaker Jr takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Whitaker Jr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hawkins misses with a hook.
Hawkins thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Whitaker Jr if he has to take too many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hawkins walks into a jab.
Hawkins throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Whitaker Jr counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hawkins!
Whitaker Jr in side control, throwing shots but Hawkins defends.
Whitaker Jr lands a few punches from side control.
Hawkins is looking for a sweep.
Hawkins wants to control but Whitaker Jr postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whitaker Jr misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hawkins connects with an inside leg kick.
Hawkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Whitaker Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hawkins tries to land a front kick but Whitaker Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hawkins fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Whitaker Jr has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hawkins scores with a head kick. Whitaker Jr tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Pernell Whitaker Jr has been cut.
Whitaker Jr takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Whitaker Jr looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Good shot there by Hawkins.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whitaker Jr manages to avoid it.
Hawkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr motions for Hawkins to come forward. Whitaker Jr throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot lands for Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Hawkins is predictable there

and Whitaker Jr counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Whitaker Jr.
Hawkins controlling Whitaker Jr's posture.
Whitaker Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker Jr throws a strike but Hawkins rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Whitaker Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitaker Jr is pulling down on Hawkins's head to control his posture.
Hawkins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Whitaker Jr working for a triangle but Hawkins defends it easily.
Hawkins throwing strikes from guard but Whitaker Jr blocks nicely.
Hawkins wants to pass the guard but Whitaker Jr is keeping the position.
Whitaker Jr keeping moving, preventing Hawkins from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins cracks Whitaker Jr with a solid left hand.
Whitaker Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hawkins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Whitaker Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hawkins bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hawkins misses with a kick to the body

and Whitaker Jr counters with a takedown into side control.
Hawkins is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr trying to control the action but Hawkins is working from the bottom.
Whitaker Jr lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Hawkins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hawkins looking for submissions off his back.
Whitaker Jr trying to control from half guard but Hawkins is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lamont Hawkins will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pernell Whitaker Jr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hawkins uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Whitaker Jr lands a nice hook to Hawkins's body. Hawkins takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Whitaker Jr's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nice uppercut there from Hawkins.
A big right from Hawkins misses.
Hawkins misses with a leg kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hawkins scoring well with a low kick there.
Whitaker Jr on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkins slips under a jab from Whitaker Jr.
Hawkins throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hawkins works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hawkins.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hawkins misses with a low kick.
Whitaker Jr looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Whitaker Jr throws a solid leg kick but Hawkins takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Whitaker Jr.
Hawkins throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hawkins lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hawkins keeps Whitaker Jr at a distance using the push kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Hawkins.
Hawkins misses with a kick to the body.
Whitaker Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Whitaker Jr takes one to the chin there.
Good exchange - Hawkins coming out on top.
Hawkins tries to bum rush Whitaker Jr with a series of wild strikes but Whitaker Jr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right-left combo lands from Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Some bone on bone action there as Whitaker Jr checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hawkins tries to land a leg kick but Whitaker Jr saw it coming and moves away.
Whitaker Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hawkins checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nice jab there from Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr misses with a straight right.
Whitaker Jr slips a jab and a cross from Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr feints the counter takedown.
Whitaker Jr blocks the body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker Jr. Hawkins does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A jab from Whitaker Jr does it's job there.
Whitaker Jr lands a high kick!

Whitaker Jr closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hawkins to the mat! Hawkins manages to get full guard.
Hawkins keeping moving, preventing Whitaker Jr from controlling successfully.
Whitaker Jr lands a couple of elbows.

Hawkins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hawkins has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Whitaker Jr has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Whitaker Jr wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Whitaker Jr works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Whitaker Jr scores with punches from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawkins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Whitaker Jr wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Whitaker Jr working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lamont Hawkins clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Pernell Whitaker Jr's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Whitaker Jr scores with a head kick.
Whitaker Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hawkins takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hawkins throws a looping overhand right but Whitaker Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range as Hawkins strikes.
Whitaker Jr misses the shot to the body.
Hawkins lands a nice leg kick that just misses Whitaker Jr's sensitive parts.
Hawkins scores with a spinning back kick!
Hawkins thows a leg kick but Whitaker Jr checks it

and Whitaker Jr counters with a single leg into guard. Hawkins didn't expect that.
Hawkins is trying to control the position but Whitaker Jr postures up.
Hawkins keeping moving, preventing Whitaker Jr from controlling successfully.
Hawkins has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Whitaker Jr has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins is trying to control Whitaker Jr's posture but Whitaker Jr avoids it.

Whitaker Jr tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hawkins is looking for a sweep.

That's two 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.
Whitaker Jr wants to control but Hawkins is keeping him busy.
Hawkins parries the strikes from Whitaker Jr easily there. Whitaker Jr is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hawkins to escape.
Hawkins can't do much from the bottom here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sloppy strikes there by Whitaker Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr in side control, throwing shots but Hawkins defends.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fighters circling - Hawkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Whitaker Jr tries to counter it with a takedown but Hawkins pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lamont Hawkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Hawkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Whitaker Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr feints the counter takedown.
Hawkins misses with a jab, cross combination.
Whitaker Jr takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hawkins with a nice cross.
Hawkins misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hawkins connects with a nice looking jab.
Hawkins lands an overhand right.
Whitaker Jr lands with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawkins. Whitaker Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawkins getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
That kick from Whitaker Jr tenderised Hawkins's leg. Hawkins is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hawkins cracks a nice hook into Whitaker Jr's ribs.
Whitaker Jr throws a leg kick which misses Hawkins's front leg but catches the back leg as Hawkins tries to avoid it.
Whitaker Jr cracks Hawkins with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Whitaker Jr lands with a nice body punch.
Whitaker Jr staying out of range there.
Whitaker Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hawkins wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range as Hawkins throws a body kick.
Whitaker Jr lands with a slapping head kick.
Whitaker Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawkins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Pernell Whitaker Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Pernell Whitaker Jr'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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Whitaker Jr misses with a hook. Hawkins ducked under it nicely.
Hawkins wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hawkins is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Whitaker Jr.

Whitaker Jr shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hawkins is trying to defend but Whitaker Jr finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hawkins gets full guard.
Whitaker Jr is working Hawkins over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker Jr tries to free his leg and advance position but Hawkins is retaining full guard.

Whitaker Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hawkins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Whitaker Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Hawkins's legs - danger averted.
Whitaker Jr throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Hawkins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Whitaker Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Hawkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Whitaker Jr wants to control from the top but Hawkins keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hawkins lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Whitaker Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Whitaker Jr checks a leg kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a big counter head kick but Hawkins avoids it with no problem.
Hawkins moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Whitaker Jr takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Whitaker Jr works Hawkins's body with a nice hook.
Nice jab there from Whitaker Jr.
Hawkins buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Whitaker Jr looks to land a left hand but Hawkins moved out of range nicely.
Hawkins slips under a jab.
Hawkins appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hawkins scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Whitaker Jr misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Whitaker Jr takes one to the chin there.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range of the body kick from Hawkins.
Whitaker Jr misses with a looping right.
An attempted straight right counter from Hawkins misses the target.
Hawkins misses with a looping right.
Whitaker Jr attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hawkins is looking to counter the offense by Whitaker Jr and move into the clinch.
Nice cross by Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr ducks right into an uppercut from Hawkins.
Hawkins lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Hawkins checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hawkins moves out of range of the body kick.
Whitaker Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Whitaker Jr has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hawkins slips a jab and a cross from Whitaker Jr.
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!
Hawkins works over Whitaker Jr's head and body with a nice combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Hawkins scores with a four punch combination!
Hawkins takes one to the chin there.
Hawkins throws a quick inside leg kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a looping overhand right but Hawkins ducks down to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Whitaker Jr crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hawkins - the referee stops the clock and Whitaker Jr gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hawkins. Whitaker Jr manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pernell Whitaker Jr.
I think Whitaker Jr has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pernell Whitaker Jr!
An out of breath Pernell Whitaker Jr thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Lamont Hawkins was interviewed post fight and said 'Wu Tang fuh evah!'.