PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Hawk (ranked 79 p4p, 13 weight class) and Achab Denis (ranked 218 p4p, 30 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hawk might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Deadwood. Denis is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Can't be touched . Thomas Hawk could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Achab Denis's chin.

Hawk
vs
Denis

167 cm
35
192 lbs
29 - 15 - 1

188 cm
29
194 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Hawk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Achab Denis!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Hawk misses the target.
Hawk looks to throw the jab but Denis is out of range.
Denis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice shot by Hawk.

It looks like Achab Denis has been cut.
Denis fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hawk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Denis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hawk throwing a counter right hand but Denis manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawk. Denis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawk seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Denis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawk scores with a leg kick.
Thomas Hawk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hawk connects with a solid leg kick.
Hawk uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Denis has time to react.
Hawk changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denis tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Denis thuds his shin into the meat of Hawk's side.
Hawk misses with a looping left.
Hawk lands a jab to the head.
Hawk throws an off balance right hand
and Denis counters with a nice body shot.
Denis ducks under a wild hook from Hawk.
Hawk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Denis. That did some damage!
Hawk misses with a right hand
letting Denis counter with a right hand.
A lazy body kick from Hawk
and Hawk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hawk closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Denis crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hawk - the referee stops the clock and Denis gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hawk. Denis manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawk misses with an uppercut
letting Denis counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Denis.
Hawk misses with an uppercut. Denis saw that one coming.
Denis looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Denis checks the leg kick.
Hawk throws a hook but Denis blocks it.
Denis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Hawk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Denis looks to land a right hand but Hawk moved out of range.
Hawk throws a big shot that misses.
Hawk tries a low kick but Denis avoids it.
Denis let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hawk tries to land a front kick but Denis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good leg kick by Denis there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hawk misses with a hook to the body
and Denis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denis missing with a left hand there. Hawk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawk tries to score with a low kick but Denis moves his leg out of the way.
Denis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hawk appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Denis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hawk can pounce on him.
A good leg kick by Hawk.
Denis throws a combination. Hawk tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hawk throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Denis counter with a right hand.
Hawk throws a low kick but it's checked well by Denis.
Hawk feints and then cracks Denis's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Denis down.
Hawk keeps Denis at a distance using the push kick.
Hawk blocks a head kick by Denis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Denis.
Hawk throws an off balance right hand
and Denis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hawk connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Denis stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hawk.
Denis has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hawk swings widly with a right hand
and Denis counters with a two punch combo.
Hawk misses with a straight right.
Hawk staying out of range there.
Hawk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Denis manages to circle out of the way.
Hawk rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Denis counters with a nice body shot.
Hawk missing with a left hand there. Denis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That kick from Hawk tenderised Denis's leg. Denis is trying to keep his angry face on.
A shot to the body from Denis misses
and Hawk counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hawk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Achab Denis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Achab Denis's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hawk throws a combination that misses
and Denis counters with a nice body kick.
Hawk throws a leg kick
and Denis counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hawk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hawk swings for the body but Denis moves out of range.
Hawk shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Hawk rushes Denis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Denis.
Denis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hawk lands with a short shot to the head.
Denis lands an elbow inside.
Denis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Denis.
Hawk prevents a body shot from Denis.
Denis lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hawk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Hawk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hawk is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Denis to keep the fight standing.
Hawk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Denis.
Denis misses with a punch on the inside.
Hawk misses with the head strike.

Hawk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hawk throws out a loose jab but Denis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Denis looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hawk throws out a leg kick but Denis moves out of range and Hawk only half commits.
Denis checks a low kick from Hawk.
Achab Denis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Hawk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hawk closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice defenses there by Denis.
Denis walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hawk checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hawk feinted with a counter takedown.
Hawk tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk scoring well with a low kick there.
Denis throws a poor cross that misses
and Denis takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hawk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Denis throws out the jab.
Denis throws a sloppy head kick and Hawk moves out of range easily.
Hawk throws out a loose jab but Denis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Denis misses with a hook
and Hawk counters with a thumping low kick.
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!
Hawk throws a leg kick
and Denis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hawk darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Denis just misses with a punch to the body.
Denis throws a jab when Hawk was well out of range.
Hawk throws a hook but Denis avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denis throws an off balance right hand
and Denis takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Denis misses with an uppercut
and Hawk counters with an inside leg kick.
Hawk swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Denis steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hawk throws a low kick but Denis avoids it.
Hawk throws a right hand that misses
and Denis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Denis slips under a jab.
Hawk delivers a nice body kick.
Hawk takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hawk throws a body punch but Denis moves out of range.

Hawk closes the distance and clinches.
Hawk misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice elbow from Denis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denis working aggressively here.
Hawk lands a body shot in the clinch.
Achab Denis seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Denis lands a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Denis working aggressively here.

Hawk pulls guard.
Denis preventing the sweep.

Hawk throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Denis escapes and throws Hawk's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hawk gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hawk is looking to improve his position.
Hawk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Denis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Denis's back!
Hawk misses with punches from the back.
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 Thomas Hawk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Achab Denis's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Denis defending well as Hawk loads up on a big left hand.
Denis looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Denis turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hawk lands a nice looking body shot.
A swing and a miss from Hawk.
Hawk is looking to chop away at Denis's legs.
Denis checks a leg kick.
Denis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hawk.
Denis throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk misses with a kick to the body.
Denis only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hawk takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hawk misses with an uppercut
and Denis counters with an outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk swings widly with a right hand
and Denis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hawk throws out a loose jab but Denis uses good head movement to avoid it.
And Denis responds with a good body kick, but Hawk manages to step out the way in time.
Denis takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Denis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hawk. Hawk obviously looking to wear him down.
Denis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Denis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hawk.
Hawk misses with a body kick.
A swing and a miss from Hawk.
Denis is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Denis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hawk scores with a nice strike.
Denis goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hawk lands with an uppercut that bounces Denis off the cage and back into range.
Hawk misses with a few strikes there.
Denis throws out a counter right but Hawk avoids it with no problem.
Hawk tries to score with a low kick but Denis moves his leg out of the way.
Hawk jabs Denis right on the nose. Denis blinks but takes it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawk misses with a looping right.
Denis buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hawk misses with a hook
and Denis counters with a nice uppercut.
Hawk moves out of range of the strikes.
Hawk takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hawk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Denis.
Denis takes a swing at Hawk's ribcage but misses.
Hawk looks to throw the jab but Denis is out of range.
Hawk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denis was well out of range. Poor timing from Hawk.
Hawk feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Denis's calf.
A low kick from Hawk is predictable there
and Denis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
An inside leg kick lands from Hawk.
Hawk motions for Denis to come forward. Hawk throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Denis misses with a few strikes there.
Denis displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hawk throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denis lands a head shot.
Denis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Denis throws a shot from downtown. Hawk moves away and avoids it.
Denis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big left from Hawk misses.
Hawk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hawk misses with an uppercut
and Denis counters with a nice uppercut.
Hawk lunges at Denis with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Denis's hand.
Hawk checks a leg kick.
Denis bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hawk's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Achab Denis just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Achab Denis'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.

Hawk rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Denis counters with a stiff right hand.
Denis tries to work over Hawk's front leg with a kick but Hawk checks it.
Denis blocks a low kick nicely.
Hawk misses with a straight left.
Hawk lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Denis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hawk.
Hawk backing away here, and Denis unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hawk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denis was well out of range. Poor timing from Hawk.
Denis has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Denis eats them both and turns towards Hawk to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hawk connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Denis.
Hawk looks to land a left hand but Denis moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Denis only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hawk misses with a leg kick
and Denis counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hawk scores with a nice strike.
A low kick from Hawk misses
and Denis makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hawk does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Denis! But no joy.
Denis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hawk cracks a nice hook into Denis's ribs.
Hawk looks to throw the jab but Denis is out of range.
Denis misses the jab.
Hawk fires out a quick counter leg kick but Denis just manages to avoid it.
Denis looks to land a right hand but Hawk moved out of range.
Hawk looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hawk misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Denis! But no joy.
Hawk thows a leg kick but Denis checks it
and Denis counters with a straight right hand.
Denis misses with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denis walks into a left hand.
Denis goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hawk swings widly with a right hand
and Denis counters with a nice uppercut.
Hawk smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Denis misses with a hook.
Denis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hawk moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk throws a low kick, looking for Denis's leg but Denis calmly moves out of range.
Denis was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Denis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hawk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Denis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hawk can pounce on him.
Hawk misses with an uppercut
and Denis makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hawk lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hawk throws a hook but Denis blocks it.
Hawk throws a leg kick but Denis sees it coming and moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Denis misses.
Hawk throws a leg kick but Denis moved away.
Denis lands with a cross.
Denis moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Denis.
Hawk misses with a low kick.
Denis cracks Hawk with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
You can see that Denis has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
This has been an exciting period of action!
Denis tries to move into range but Hawk moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That has opened up Achab Denis's cut even more.
Hawk listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hawk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Denis. That's going to slow Hawk down.
Hawk scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Denis.
Hawk drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hawk had his way with Achab Denis in that round.
The cut man is working on Achab Denis's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Hawk bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Denis's head backwards.
Denis lands a right hook to the body.
Hawk fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hawk throws a leg kick
and Denis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hawk misses with a hook
and Denis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Hawk is rocked!
Denis misses with a head kick.
Oh Hawk is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hawk misses with a straight right.
Denis unleashes a big counter combination but Hawk bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hawk looks to score with a jab to the body but Denis is just out of range.
Denis throws a big counter head kick but Hawk avoids it with no problem.
Hawk seems to have got his legs back now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Hawk.
Hawk will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk misses with a low kick as Denis jumps back.
Denis throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hawk wants to land a leg kick but Denis is out of range.
Denis looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hawk thows a leg kick but Denis checks it
and Denis counters with a straight right hand.
A lazy body kick from Denis

and Hawk counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hawk scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawk tries to pass the half guard into mount. Denis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hawk working Denis over with strikes.
Denis is concentrating on defense, preventing Hawk from advancing position.
Denis tries to roll over but Hawk keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hawk looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Denis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hawk connects with a nice short shot to Denis's temple.
Hawk 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.
Hawk wants to pass to mount but Denis is defending the position.
Hawk is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denis is looking to improve his position.
Thomas Hawk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hawk looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hawk is nestled in close to Denis, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hawk not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hawk missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hawk works his way into full mount!
Hawk thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Hawk with the ground and pound from mount.
Hawk looking to ground and pound but Denis is blocking nicely.
Denis tries to lock up and control but Hawk gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hawk throwing strikes but Denis recovers to half guard. A much better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawk looks to land a strike but Denis avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hawk throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hawk's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hawk postures up in Denis's guard and throws a big left but Denis blocks it.
Hawk scoring with some ground and pound.
Hawk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Denis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hawk passes Denis's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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!
Denis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hawk trying to pass the guard but Denis defending well.

Hawk is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Hawk showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hawk has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:46
Judge William Peck scores the fight 47:48
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Thomas Hawk!
Thomas Hawk retains his middleweight title!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Thomas Hawk made sure he mentioned Aspire Clothing, along with how happy he was to win his fight.