PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harrison Maldonado (ranked 5302 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leron Hawkins (ranked 7816 p4p, 0 weight class). Leron Hawkins has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Harrison Maldonado's chin.

Maldonado
vs
Hawkins

204 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 Las Vegas, Harrison Maldonado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leron Hawkins!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maldonado avoids it really well and circles away.
Maldonado is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hawkins or perhaps it was just good defense by Maldonado, which made it look bad.

Hawkins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Maldonado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldonado is holding on to half guard well.
Maldonado missing with punches from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado wants to control but Hawkins is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maldonado is trying to get back to full guard.
Maldonado misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Hawkins is thwarting Maldonado's attempts to control the position.
Maldonado holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Maldonado has closed the distance and engaged Hawkins in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hawkins tries to stall but Maldonado uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maldonado leaning his opponent against the cage.

Hawkins jumps guard and drags Maldonado to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Maldonado is looking to work some ground and pound but Hawkins has wrist control.
Hawkins wants to improve his position but instead Maldonado has moved into half guard.
Hawkins trying to hold on to Maldonado's head to control him but Maldonado postures up.
Maldonado lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Maldonado.
Maldonado landing some decent shots from guard.
Maldonado 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.
Maldonado throws a big elbow that misses.

Hawkins working for a triangle but Maldonado defends it easily.
Maldonado working some strikes from top position.
Maldonado postures up in Hawkins's guard and throws a big left but Hawkins blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Hawkins is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Maldonado presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Maldonado manages to break the clinch.

Hawkins has managed to clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Hawkins manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hawkins controlling the position.
Hawkins wants to control the position but Maldonado says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawkins wants to control but Maldonado is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hawkins keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maldonado thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maldonado lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leron Hawkins will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hawkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maldonado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hawkins somewhat.

Hawkins drives through and clinches with Maldonado against the cage.
Hawkins jumps guard but Maldonado turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Maldonado tries to throw a body punch but Hawkins avoids it by throwing Maldonado back against the cage.
Maldonado misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldonado throws a head punch that misses.
Maldonado is pushing Hawkins up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Hawkins manages to pull guard.
Hawkins is controlling Maldonado's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hawkins is looking for a triangle but Maldonado pushes his legs off easily.
Hawkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hawkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hawkins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maldonado scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maldonado postures up in Hawkins's guard and throws a big left but Hawkins blocks it.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Maldonado is looking to work some ground and pound but Hawkins has wrist control.
Maldonado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hawkins trying to keep a closed guard but Maldonado is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Maldonado postures up and lands a big shot to Hawkins's brow.
Leron Hawkins has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maldonado working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hawkins's head.
Maldonado connects with a couple of short punches.
Maldonado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hawkins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins is trying to control the position but Maldonado postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Maldonado misses with a double jab
and Hawkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maldonado tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Hawkins misses.
Hawkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maldonado was well out of range. Poor timing from Hawkins.
No joy there for Maldonado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hawkins unleashes a big counter combination but Maldonado bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hawkins throws a head kick that misses
and Maldonado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maldonado shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hawkins defends it nicely.
Harrison Maldonado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins fails with a takedown attempt.
Harrison Maldonado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leron Hawkins.
Hawkins is breathing heavily.
No luck for Maldonado with that takedown attempt.

Maldonado has closed the distance and engaged Hawkins in a clinch.
Hawkins fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Maldonado wants to break free but Hawkins has control.

Maldonado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hawkins rushes Maldonado and presses him up against the cage.
Hawkins fails to pull guard.
Maldonado digs a right hand into Hawkins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hawkins's gas tank.
Maldonado effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harrison Maldonado dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hawkins closes the distance and clinches up with Maldonado, looking for a takedown. Hawkins pushes Maldonado against the cage but Maldonado circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As Hawkins looks to move away, Maldonado throws a big counter combo but Hawkins just gets out of the way.
Hawkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Hawkins closes the distance and pushes Maldonado back into the cage.
Maldonado leaning against his opponent.
Maldonado is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hawkins is defending well for now.
Maldonado misses with a knee to the head.
Maldonado is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldonado taking a breather.
Maldonado gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hawkins.
Harrison Maldonado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leron Hawkins.
Maldonado missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins tries for a takedown but Maldonado manages to get underhooks.
Maldonado tries a knee to the head but Hawkins blocks it.
Hawkins avoiding damage as Maldonado throws knees to the body.
Maldonado takes a shot to the head.
Hawkins wants to get back to striking at distance but Maldonado won't allow it.
Maldonado looking to stall.
Maldonado crunches a lovely knee into Hawkins's ribcage.
Maldonado holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hawkins goes for a takedown attempt but Maldonado pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Maldonado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leron Hawkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Maldonado. No joy for Hawkins on that attempt.
Hawkins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hawkins rushes Maldonado and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hawkins backwards.

Maldonado breaks the clinch.
Maldonado throws a right and a left that Hawkins avoids nicely.
Hawkins throws a body shot but no joy.

Maldonado moves into the clinch successfully.
Maldonado is trying to push Hawkins away but Hawkins has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Maldonado breaks from the clinch.
Maldonado stuffs the takedown attempt from Hawkins. Hawkins gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Maldonado was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hawkins.

Hawkins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldonado lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Maldonado is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hawkins is defending well for now.
Hawkins stalling in the clinch but Maldonado improves position.
A right hand to the body from Maldonado.
Maldonado looking to stall.
Maldonado is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maybe Maldonado would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.

Hawkins breaks from the clinch.

Hawkins moves into the clinch successfully.

Maldonado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hawkins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hawkins leaves Maldonado with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maldonado.
A head kick misses from Hawkins.
Hawkins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hawkins tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Maldonado defends well and Hawkins ends up having to push Maldonado into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
As Hawkins looks to move away, Maldonado throws a big counter combo but Hawkins just gets out of the way.

Maldonado pushes Hawkins up against the cage in a clinch.
Harrison Maldonado has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Maldonado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maldonado throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hawkins misses with a double jab.
Hawkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harrison Maldonado showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maldonado 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harrison Maldonado!