PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Hawk (ranked 412 p4p, 46 weight class) and Darnell Cane (ranked 1518 p4p, 187 weight class). Hawk kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Deadwood. Thomas Hawk could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Darnell Cane's chin.

Hawk
vs
Cane

167 cm
39
191 lbs
36 - 19 - 1

188 cm
31
203 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Hawk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darnell Cane!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cane waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hawk.
Cane avoids the body shot from Hawk.
Hawk lands a nice shot that snaps Cane's head back.
Cane checks a leg kick.
Hawk moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cane ducks under a wild hook from Hawk.
Cane throws a hook to the side of Hawk's head but Hawk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hawk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hawk just misses with a punch to the body.
Hawk throws a lazy right hand but Cane sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cane feints the counter takedown.
Hawk throws a jab when Cane was well out of range.
Cane throws a shot from downtown. Hawk moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk tries to bum rush Cane with a series of wild strikes but Cane uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hawk throws a right and a left that Cane avoids nicely.
We've been told by Hawk's head coaches at Scotty's Yard that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cane.
Hawk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cane moves away.
Cane drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hawk defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cane. Cane circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cane scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Cane misses.
Cane doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hawk scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cane in his tracks.
Cane moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Hawk.
Hawk moves in looking to clinch but Cane pushes him off.
Cane takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cane cracks a nice hook into Hawk's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawk throws a hook but Cane blocks it.
Cane feints the counter takedown.
Hawk cracks Cane with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Hawk attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cane shoots in and drives through. Hawk sprawls well.
Hawk half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cane uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Cane misses.
Hawk throws a quick inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Cane misses the target.
Hawk scores with the left hand. Cane knows he should have avoided that one.

Cane shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hawk is trying to defend but Cane finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ground and pound from Cane.
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. Cane connects with a nice short shot to Hawk's temple.
Hawk moves into full guard.
Hawk wants to sweep here but Cane controlling him for the moment.
Cane landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hawk bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cane's guard.

Hawk pushing down on Cane's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hawk dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Hawk lands with a good body shot.
Hawk throws a hook but Cane avoids it easily.
And Cane tries to counter it with a takedown but Hawk pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hawk looks to land a left hand but Cane moved out of range nicely.
Hawk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hawk looks to throw the jab but Cane is out of range.
A good leg kick by Hawk.

Hawk throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cane was covering up waiting for the punch and Hawk finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Hawk preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cane controls Hawk momentarily but Hawk frees himself.
Hawk throws a big right hand that misses.
Cane is trying to control the position but Hawk postures up.
Cane looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane managing to control the position.
Hawk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cane pulls Hawk in close to prevent any damage.
Hawk in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hawk wants to control from the top but Cane keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A big right from Hawk misses.
Hawk misses with a leg kick.

That's two 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 throws a leg kick but Cane moved away.
Hawk darts in looking for a takedown but Cane gets double underhooks and turns Hawk into the ropes.
And Cane tries to counter it with a takedown but Hawk pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cane throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hawk takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hawk ducks under a wild hook from Cane.
Hawk swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cane misses with a looping left.
Hawk swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hawk misses with an uppercut.
Cane takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cane moves out of range as Hawk strikes.
Hawk throws out a powerful jab.
Cane jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hawk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cane can do to turn this around?
Cane cracks Hawk with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cane is looking to chop away at Hawk's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hawk dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hawk throws a nice looking combination but Cane bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hawk swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Cane counter with a right hand.

Hawk rushes Cane and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Hawk working aggressively here.

Cane is trying to trip Hawk. He has hold of a leg but Hawk is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Cane persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Cane won't allow Hawk to sweep him here.
Cane keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hawk's head.
Hawk working a defensive guard here.
Cane won't allow Hawk to sweep him here.
Cane cracks Hawk with a solid left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk wants to sweep but no luck.
Hawk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cane manages to get himself to full guard.

Cane is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hawk is looking for a sweep. Cane is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk taking some punishment here, with Cane in his half guard.
Hawk has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cane is working away from the top position though.
Hawk on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cane lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cane is nestled in close to Hawk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hawk is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Darnell Cane has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hawk taking some punishment here, with Cane in his half guard.
Hawk regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cane is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cane won't allow Hawk to sweep him here.
Cane landing some decent shots from guard.
Hawk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cane distracts Hawk with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Hawk is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cane works over Hawk with some ground and pound from guard.
Oh Hawk is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cane works over Hawk with some ground and pound from guard.
Cane keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hawk's head.
Hawk lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hawk seems to have got his legs back now.
Hawk wants to control from the top but Cane keeps moving.
Hawk might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hawk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cane is keeping the position for now.
Hawk looking to sit in guard and control but Cane gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cane scoring with some ground and pound.
Cane postures up and lands a big shot to Hawk's brow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cane postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darnell Cane really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cane misses with a looping left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hawk.
A telegraphed right hand from Cane misses the target.
Cane throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Cane tries to get set, Hawk tries to push him back and clinch up but Cane manages to avoid the attempt.
Hawk with a hook.
Hawk looks to land a right hand but Cane moved out of range.
Cane changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cane tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hawk was well out of range. Poor timing from Cane.
The crowd cheers as Cane lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hawk doesn't seem phased though.
Nice uppercut lands for Hawk. That snapped Cane's head back.
Hawk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawk takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cane throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cane lands an overhand right.
That kick from Hawk tenderised Cane's leg. Cane is trying to keep his angry face on.
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 is looking to clinch but Cane is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cane shoots in but Hawk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cane misses with a looping right.
Hawk tried to score with a low kick but Cane checks it.
A punch combination from Cane misses.
As Cane backs away, Hawk returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Hawk misses with a hook. Cane ducked under it nicely.
Hawk moves out of range as Cane strikes.
Hawk throws a body kick that misses.
Hawk lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hawk connects with an inside leg kick.
Cane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hawk throws a shot to the body.
Hawk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hawk just misses with a punch to the body.
No joy there for Cane, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hawk throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cane slips under a jab from Hawk.
Hawk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cane throws out the jab.
Hawk moves out of range as Cane strikes.
Hawk misses with an attempted mid kick.
Thomas Hawk is winning the standup battle so far.
Hawk tries to clinch but Cane moves out of range.
Hawk throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cane.
Cane's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cane displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hawk throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hawk had his way with Darnell Cane in that round.
That's time! 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.

Cane bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hawk's head backwards.
Darnell Cane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cane might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nice shot lands for Hawk.
Cane defending well as Hawk loads up on a big left hand.
Hawk misses the jab.
Cane misses the shot to the body.
Hawk defending well as Cane loads up on a big left hand.
Hawk throws the left hand but Cane avoids the punch easily.
Cane just misses with a punch to the body.
Hawk throws a body shot but no joy.
Cane staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hawk manages to avoid it.
Cane scores with a body shot.
Cane lands with a nice combination. Hawk backs away looking to recover.
Cane swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cane in his tracks.
Hawk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hawk misses with a body shot.
Hawk throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cane with a jab.
Hawk takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hawk missing with a left hand there. Cane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cane throws a hook but Hawk avoids it easily.
Cane throws a body punch but Hawk moves out of range.
Cane takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Cane tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hawk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cane.
A slow jab from Cane misses its intended target.
Cane moves out of range as Hawk throws a body kick.
Hawk misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk misses the jab.
Cane scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cane just misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cane ducks under a wild hook from Hawk.
Cane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawk dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hawk throws a shot to the body.
Cane moves away from the strike by Hawk.
Cane missing with a left hand there. Hawk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawk throws the left hand but Cane avoids the punch easily.
Cane misses with an uppercut. Hawk saw that one coming.
Hawk connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cane momentarily.
Hawk tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Darnell Cane.
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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Thomas Hawk!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Thomas Hawk!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Thomas Hawk!

Thomas Hawk wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Thomas Hawk made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.