PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thufir Hawat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tuco Cortez (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.

Hawat
vs
Cortez

178 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Thufir Hawat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tuco Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hawat shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cortez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cortez wants to get back to his feet but Hawat is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cortez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hawat.
Hawat wants to control from the top but Cortez keeps moving.
Cortez has Hawat pulled in close to control his posture.
Cortez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez throws a big elbow that misses.
Cortez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cortez controls from within his opponent's guard.

Hawat is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cortez is aware though and is defending well.
Cortez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Cortez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawat is pushing Cortez's head away, looking to escape. Cortez manages to hold on to the position though.

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.

Cortez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Cortez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Cortez avoids the head kick by Hawat.
Hawat has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cortez finds it's way round the side to connect with Hawat's head.
Hawat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cortez.
Hawat dives in for a single leg takedown but Cortez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cortez!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawat doesn't manage to clinch there - Cortez circles away.
Hawat checks a low kick from Cortez.
Hawat tries to clinch but Cortez moves out of range.
Cortez feints a counter leg kick.
Hawat misses with a takedown
and Cortez counters with a big head kick but Hawat shrugs it off.
Cortez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hawat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thufir Hawat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hawat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hawat blocks a head kick by Cortez.
Hawat has his takedown stuffed
and Cortez counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hawat shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cortez but Cortez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries a head kick but it misses.
Hawat connects with an inside leg kick.
Hawat shoots in for a double leg but Cortez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hawat closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cortez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
BOOM! Cortez lands a beautiful left hook that drops Hawat. Hawat tries to recover but Cortez is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Hawat lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tuco Cortez!