PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny hawk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mandla Sizwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

hawk
vs
Sizwe

150 cm
21
149 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
147 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny hawk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mandla Sizwe!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
hawk has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from hawk there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sizwe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
hawk could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sizwe drops hawk with a nice combination! Sizwe dives into hawk's guard, looking to finish!

hawk is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
hawk keeping full guard, as Sizwe tries to pass.
Oh hawk is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
hawk looking for a sweep. Not yet hawk, not yet.
Sizwe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with hawk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
hawk has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sizwe has passed into side control.
hawk seems to have got his legs back now.

Sizwe stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Sizwe stuffs the takedown.
Sizwe drops hawk with a left and a right! Oh, hawk is hurt - Sizwe dives into side control looking to finish!
hawk is looking for a sweep.
hawk is trying to work for a sweep but Sizwe has mounted him!
hawk is working to get back to half guard.
hawk is breathing heavily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hawk regains half guard.
Sizwe stops hawk from getting back to his feet.
hawk might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
hawk is looking for a sweep. Sizwe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sizwe with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sizwe's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
I looks like Sizwe might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
hawk is trying to get back to full guard.
Sizwe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
hawk wants to improve his position but Sizwe is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sizwe not doing much here.
Sizwe seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sizwe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

hawk looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sizwe controlling the action here.

Sizwe decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Sizwe lands a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
hawk drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sizwe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts hawk as he jumps to the side.

Sizwe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
hawk tries to get to full guard but Sizwe has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandla Sizwe dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sizwe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Johnny hawk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
hawk tries for a takedown but Sizwe circles away easily
and Sizwe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sizwe lands a right hook to the body.
Sizwe works hawk's body with a nice hook.
Sizwe is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down hawk rather than just go for the knockout.
Sizwe scores with a hook to the body. hawk takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sizwe drops hawk with a left and a right! Oh, hawk is hurt - Sizwe dives into side control looking to finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
hawk seems a little lost for a moment, as Sizwe dominates the positioning.
hawk is looking for a sweep.
Sizwe wants to stand but hawk is controlling his arm.

Sizwe decides to stand back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Sizwe.
Sizwe lands a jab to the head.
Sizwe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as hawk backs up against the cage.
Sizwe fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sizwe.
hawk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sizwe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
hawk with a poor takedown
and Sizwe counters with a series of strikes. hawk will be more careful next time no doubt.
hawk is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sizwe.
hawk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sizwe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny hawk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Sizwe as hawk shoots in.
Good standup being displayed there by Sizwe as he connects with a hook.
Sizwe lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A right-left combo lands from Sizwe.
Sizwe scores with a body shot.
hawk dodges the punch combination from Sizwe.
hawk fails to land the takedown.
Sizwe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sizwe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sizwe lands with a cross.
Sizwe throws a nice looking combination but hawk bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sizwe is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
hawk avoids a punch combination nicely.
hawk takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sizwe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
hawk avoids a punch combination nicely.
hawk misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sizwe is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sizwe connects with a right hand. hawk shakes it off.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for hawk. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
hawk takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sizwe lands a jab to hawk's midsection.
Sizwe scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
hawk fails with the takedown
letting Sizwe counter with a right hand.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sizwe.
hawk ducks right into an uppercut from Sizwe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from hawk. No joy for Sizwe on that attempt.
Nice shot lands for Sizwe.
A left and a right from Sizwe both land. Nice combination.
hawk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sizwe as he avoids it easily.
Sizwe connects with a body shot.
Sizwe goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sizwe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. hawk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A left and a right from Sizwe both land. Nice combination.
hawk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sizwe swivels and escapes.
Sizwe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
hawk fails with the takedown.
Sizwe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sizwe misses with a double jab.
Sizwe scores with a jab to the body.
hawk fails to land the takedown.
Sizwe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with hawk but hawk pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sizwe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
hawk shoots for a double leg takedown but Sizwe sprawls well. He's pushed hawk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sizwe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
hawk doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sizwe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
hawk with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sizwe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
hawk fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
hawk gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sizwe counters with a three punch combo that has hawk backing up. hawk nods at Sizwe to acknowledge the strikes.
Sizwe lands a two punch combo.
Sizwe misses with a few strikes there.
hawk shoots and misses
and Sizwe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
hawk takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sizwe tries for a takedown but hawk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
hawk on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Johnny hawk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
hawk has his takedown stuffed
and Sizwe counters with a series of strikes. hawk will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandla Sizwe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

hawk has a takedown stuffed.
hawk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sizwe counters with a one-two to the body.
Sizwe lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sizwe uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before hawk has time to react.
Sizwe digs a good hook to hawk's body.
Sizwe jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A left and a right from Sizwe both land. Nice combination.
hawk with a poor takedown
and Sizwe counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny hawk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sizwe lands a jab to the head.
hawk fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

hawk gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sizwe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sizwe controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

hawk looking for a guillotine here but Sizwe defends easily.

Sizwe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sizwe content to stall in guard here.
Sizwe is looking to stand up but hawk won't let him.
Sizwe stops hawk from standing up.
hawk looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sizwe is one step ahead there.

hawk had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sizwe is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. hawk Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sizwe's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sizwe tries to escape but hawk has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Sizwe is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Sizwe is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if hawk gets his way!

hawk looking for the choke from the back.

hawk working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

hawk looking for the choke from the back.

Sizwe is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if hawk gets his way!

hawk has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Sizwe has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sizwe's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling hawk's hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mandla Sizwe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sizwe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mandla Sizwe!