PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thufir Hawat (ranked 1663 p4p, 2766 weight class) and Alessandro Berlusconi (ranked 213 p4p, 334 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hawat
vs
Berlusconi

185 cm
21
178
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
170
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thufir Hawat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alessandro Berlusconi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berlusconi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hawat has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Berlusconi avoids a kick to the body.
Berlusconi throws a counter combo.
Hawat lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hawat throws a hook to the side of Berlusconi's head but Berlusconi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hawat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hawat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Berlusconi.
The fighters circling - Hawat throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hawat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Berlusconi.
Thufir Hawat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessandro Berlusconi.
Hawat misses with the combination.
Berlusconi tries to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berlusconi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hawat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Berlusconi shoots in looking for a takedown but Hawat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Berlusconi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hawat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hawat lands with a hook. Berlusconi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Berlusconi dives in and grabs Hawat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hawat pushes down on Berlusconi's head and hops out.
A jab from Hawat misses.
A nice combination there by Berlusconi.
Berlusconi shoots in but no luck this time.
Berlusconi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hawat defends well and Berlusconi ends up having to push Hawat into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hawat missing with a left hand there. Berlusconi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Hawat backs off Berlusconi throws a huge counter combo but Hawat manages to avoid it all.
Berlusconi closes the distance but Hawat moves to the side
and Hawat counters with a thumping low kick.
Hawat misses with a wild body shot.
Berlusconi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Berlusconi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berlusconi stopping the sweep attempt from Hawat.
Berlusconi looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berlusconi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hawat avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Berlusconi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hawat works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Berlusconi is looking to work some ground and pound but Hawat has wrist control.
Hawat wants to sweep here but Berlusconi controlling him for the moment.
Hawat keeping moving, preventing Berlusconi from controlling successfully.
Berlusconi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Berlusconi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Berlusconi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hawat keeping moving, preventing Berlusconi from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berlusconi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hawat misses the jab.
Hawat throws a lazy uppercut
and Berlusconi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Berlusconi walks into a stiff left hand from Hawat.
Hawat attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hawat misses with a series of wild punches.
Hawat lands with a straight right. Berlusconi didn't see that one coming.
Hawat misses with a wild body shot.
Berlusconi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawat. Berlusconi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawat throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Berlusconi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Berlusconi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berlusconi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Berlusconi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hawat tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Berlusconi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hawat wants to stand up but Berlusconi is controlling him.
Berlusconi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hawat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berlusconi is one step ahead there.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Berlusconi trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hawat connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Berlusconi's hands.
Hawat pivots, looking for a leg kick but Berlusconi is out of range and Hawat settles back down.
Berlusconi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hawat looks to land a body kick but Berlusconi moved away.
Hawat defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Berlusconi.

Berlusconi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
What's Hawat going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Alessandro Berlusconi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Berlusconi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berlusconi staying calm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Berlusconi.
Berlusconi wants to control but Hawat is keeping him busy.
Hawat tries to bench press Berlusconi off him but Berlusconi keeps the position.
Berlusconi lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hawat down.
Hawat managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Berlusconi.
Berlusconi trying to control the action but Hawat is working from the bottom.
Berlusconi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hawat haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Berlusconi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Berlusconi landing a few strikes.
Hawat tries to buck Berlusconi off but Berlusconi is having none of it.

Berlusconi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Berlusconi fails with a takedown attempt.
Hawat misses with a wild combination.
Hawat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berlusconi manages to avoid it.
Thufir Hawat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hawat misses with a series of wild punches.
Thufir Hawat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hawat catches Berlusconi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Berlusconi or perhaps it was just good defense by Hawat, which made it look bad.
Thufir Hawat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessandro Berlusconi.
Berlusconi has his takedown stuffed
and Hawat counters with a nice uppercut.
Hawat lands a head kick!
Berlusconi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawat as he jumps to the side.
Hawat feints and then cracks Berlusconi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Berlusconi down.
Berlusconi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hawat.
Hawat throws a head kick but Berlusconi moves out of range.
Berlusconi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hawat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berlusconi drives through with a takedown into Hawat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Berlusconi landing some decent shots from guard.
Berlusconi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Berlusconi controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berlusconi trying to control but Hawat is working from the bottom.
Berlusconi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berlusconi wants to control from the top but Hawat keeps moving.
Berlusconi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Berlusconi postures up in Hawat's guard and throws a big left but Hawat blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat dominated that second round.
That's time! Hawat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Berlusconi gets a takedown into half guard.
Hawat taking some punishment here, with Berlusconi in his half guard.
Hawat slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hawat is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Berlusconi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Berlusconi lands a couple of digs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berlusconi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hawat is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berlusconi's guard.

Hawat slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Berlusconi pulls Hawat in close to prevent any damage.
Hawat controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Berlusconi working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hawat stopping the sweep attempt from Berlusconi.
Berlusconi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Berlusconi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Berlusconi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hawat lands a front kick.
Berlusconi fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berlusconi blocks a head kick by Hawat.
Hawat throws a chopping leg kick but Berlusconi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hawat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berlusconi manages to avoid it.
Berlusconi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hawat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Berlusconi can do to turn this around?

Berlusconi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Berlusconi lands in his opponent's guard.
Hawat preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hawat keeping moving, preventing Berlusconi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berlusconi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Alessandro Berlusconi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berlusconi wants to control from the top but Hawat keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Berlusconi shoots in for a double leg but Hawat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Berlusconi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hawat sprawls well. Hawat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Berlusconi gets slowly back to his feet.
Thufir Hawat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessandro Berlusconi.
Berlusconi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hawat dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thufir Hawat showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hawat, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thufir Hawat!