PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between DAngelo Hawkins (ranked 3468 p4p, 287 weight class) and Kazuhira Takayama (ranked 3807 p4p, 309 weight class). DAngelo Hawkins could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kazuhira Takayama's chin.

Hawkins
vs
Takayama

180 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
25
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, DAngelo Hawkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kazuhira Takayama!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hawkins instigates a clinch.
Takayama is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hawkins to keep the fight standing.

Hawkins has picked Takayama up - he's going for a ride! Hawkins dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Takayama is looking to escape.

Hawkins is looking for a kimura but Takayama is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hawkins to get the leverage.
Hawkins is thwarting Takayama's attempts to control the position.

Hawkins is working for a submission of some sort.

Hawkins looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've been hearing good reports from Hawkins's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Takayama is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hawkins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Takayama has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hawkins lands with a punch from half guard.
Hawkins content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Hawkins is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Takayama doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hawkins.

Hawkins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takayama is trying to maintain the position but Hawkins is very close to passing his half guard.
Hawkins trying to control the pace.
Takayama is trying to control but can't.

Hawkins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Takayama is trying to get back to full guard.

Hawkins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Takayama is just riding it out for now. Hawkins eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayama is looking for a sweep. Hawkins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Takayama trying to control but Hawkins postures up.
Takayama looks winded!
Hawkins sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Hawkins is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Takayama sees it coming and defends easily.

Hawkins is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins lands with a punch from half guard.
Hawkins is taking a breather. Takayama says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Hawkins is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Takayama doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hawkins.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hawkins decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DAngelo Hawkins dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hawkins closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Takayama quickly recovers to half guard.

Hawkins is trying to work for a kimura but Takayama is defending well.

Hawkins seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Takayama is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). DAngelo Hawkins!