PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cohen Hawthorne (ranked 1793 p4p, 2617 weight class) and Xavier Washington (ranked 222 p4p, 313 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hawthorne
vs
Washington

194 cm
22
267
6 - 2 - 0

192 cm
22
254
4 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR
Conquer

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cohen Hawthorne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Xavier Washington!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawthorne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Washington.
Washington takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hawthorne looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Washington catches Hawthorne with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Washington takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Washington misses with an uppercut
and Hawthorne counters with a straight right hand.
Hawthorne misses with a body shot
letting Washington counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot lands for Hawthorne.

It looks like Xavier Washington has been cut.
Hawthorne takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hawthorne seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hawthorne misses with a right hand
and Washington counters with a solid body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good shot there by Hawthorne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington scores with a jab to the jaw.
Washington rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Hawthorne counters with a nice right hand that sends Washington toppling to the canvas! Washington scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Hawthorne finish him?!

Washington is rocked!
Hawthorne misses with a wild body shot.
Washington throws out a counter right but Hawthorne avoids it with no problem.
Washington misses with a straight right.
Washington slips a straight right by Hawthorne.
Washington steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Washington takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hawthorne cracks Washington with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Washington looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Hawthorne finish him?
Washington is still on wobbly legs! Can Hawthorne finish him?

Hawthorne gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Washington seems to have recovered his senses.
Hawthorne lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Washington backwards.
Washington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hawthorne tries to throw a body punch but Washington avoids it by throwing Hawthorne back against the cage.
Hawthorne content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Washington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Washington is trying to maintain a safe position but Hawthorne gets an underhook and turns Washington into the cage.
Hawthorne misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Hawthorne.
Washington tries a body shot but Hawthorne blocks it.
Hawthorne misses with a punch on the inside.
Washington tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Washington misses with a knee strike.

Washington's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hawthorne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Washington.

Hawthorne sends Washington crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Hawthorne is motioning to the referee to let Washington up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Washington moves out of range of the strikes.
Hawthorne swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hawthorne comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Washington drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hawthorne connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cohen Hawthorne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Washington slips a straight right by Hawthorne.
Washington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne throws a perfectly timed hook that sends Washington crashing down! Washington tries to stagger back to his feet but Hawthorne just hammers him until the ref stops the fight! A confused Washington asks the ref what just happened. Poor fella.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cohen Hawthorne!
During a confident post fight interview, Cohen Hawthorne thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.