PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Hawking (ranked 1089 p4p, 726 weight class) and Malik El Shabazz (ranked 143 p4p, 92 weight class). Stephen Hawking had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hawking
vs
El Shabazz

174 cm
21
176
9 - 7 - 0

185 cm
32
183
23 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Urban Fighter

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Hawking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Malik El Shabazz!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Winston Howard and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Shabazz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
El Shabazz with the inside leg kick.
Hawking misses with a jab to the body
and El Shabazz counters with a low kick, right behind Hawking 's knee.
Hawking tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
El Shabazz misses with an uppercut. Hawking saw that one coming.
Hawking wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
El Shabazz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
El Shabazz cracks Hawking with an open hand slap.
A head kick by Hawking misses
and El Shabazz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
El Shabazz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
El Shabazz throws a good cross that connects.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hawking takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
El Shabazz is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
El Shabazz scores with a body shot.
Hawking defending well as El Shabazz loads up on a big left hand.
El Shabazz scores with a jab.
Hawking gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hawking throws a combination but it was largely blocked by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz feints a jab promting Hawking to slip. El Shabazz then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hawking slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a right hand that misses
and Hawking cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Shabazz scores with a punch to the head.
El Shabazz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
El Shabazz sizes up Hawking with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
El Shabazz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hawking walks into a straight right hand from El Shabazz.
Hawking throws a sloppy head kick and El Shabazz moves out of range easily.
El Shabazz has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A punch combination from El Shabazz misses.
Malik El Shabazz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
El Shabazz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hawking moves away from the strike by El Shabazz.
Hawking moves out of range of the leg kick from El Shabazz.
Hawking takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hawking on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
El Shabazz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hawking takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz cracks Hawking with a good jab.
Hawking staying out of range there.
Hawking scores with a jab to the head.
Hawking has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Shut Up & Train! {$1000} in the buildup to the fight.
El Shabazz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Hawking was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
El Shabazz scores with a leg kick.
El Shabazz lands a head shot.

El Shabazz forces Hawking back against the cage and clinches.

Hawking pulls guard successfully.
Hawking is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
El Shabazz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking wants to stand but El Shabazz is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
El Shabazz controlling from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
El Shabazz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
El Shabazz is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hawking had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Hawking throws a head kick but El Shabazz moves out of range.
A jab from El Shabazz misses.
Hawking takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hawking takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hawking throws a series of punches but El Shabazz avoids them all with ease.
El Shabazz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hawking keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
El Shabazz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hawking.
It seemed like El Shabazz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hawking looks to land a combination but El Shabazz avoids it well.
Hawking shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Malik El Shabazz dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hawking pulls out of a head kick attempt.
El Shabazz tries to work over Hawking's front leg with a kick but Hawking checks it.
El Shabazz loads up on a big right hand but Hawking slips the punch.
El Shabazz scores with a hook.
El Shabazz throws a body shot but no joy.
Hawking tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hawking pulls out of a head kick attempt.
El Shabazz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hawking throws a combination but it was largely blocked by El Shabazz.
Hawking tries a head kick but it misses.
El Shabazz misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hawking on the side of the head.
Hawking throws a lazy head kick
and El Shabazz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
El Shabazz cracks Hawking with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hawking pulls out of a head kick attempt.
El Shabazz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hawking circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hawking. Hawking circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawking. El Shabazz does a little dance to reset his feet.
El Shabazz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hawking momentarily.
Hawking looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hawking uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz lands with an overhand left.
Hawking looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

El Shabazz rushes Hawking and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hawking trying to control the position but instead, El Shabazz has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hawking into the cage.
El Shabazz landing knees to the head.

It looks like Stephen Hawking has been cut.
El Shabazz takes a shot to the head.
Hawking looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Hawking is blocking nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good body shot from El Shabazz.
A knee to the head by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
El Shabazz scores with a shoulder strike.
Hawking jumps guard but El Shabazz turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hawking looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Hawking blocks it.
A frustrated look appears on Hawking's face as he tries to break the clinch.
El Shabazz keeps control of Hawking as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
El Shabazz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
El Shabazz landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking stalling against the cage.
Hawking takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
El Shabazz working Hawking over with knees to the body.
El Shabazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hawking has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
El Shabazz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hawking in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
El Shabazz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hawking in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
El Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hawking blocks it with crossed arms.
El Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
Hawking stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
El Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hawking is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hawking has El Shabazz pushed against the cage.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Hawking blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Hawking blocks with his arms.
El Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hawking tries to land a knee to the head but El Shabazz blocks with his arms.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Hawking is blocking nicely.
El Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hawking blocks it with crossed arms.
Hawking is trying to break free.
El Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hawking blocks it with crossed arms.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hawking tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. El Shabazz smiles and moves away.
A head kick misses from Hawking.
Hawking wants to clinch up but El Shabazz keeps it at a distance.
Hawking throws a head kick that misses.
El Shabazz tests Hawking's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Malik El Shabazz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stephen Hawking's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hawking throws a right and a left that both miss.
El Shabazz throws a nice looking combination but Hawking bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
El Shabazz thuds his right hand into Hawking's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hawking throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hawking throws a head kick but El Shabazz moves out of range.
El Shabazz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
El Shabazz connects with a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for El Shabazz.

El Shabazz takes the fight into the clinch.
Hawking looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
El Shabazz lands a right hand.
Hawking has had enough of the clinch but El Shabazz keeps him there for the moment.
El Shabazz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hawking's face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawking managing to block the knees to the body from El Shabazz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz lands a body shot in the clinch.
El Shabazz misses with a hook to the ribs.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Hawking is blocking nicely.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Hawking is blocking nicely.
Malik El Shabazz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
El Shabazz with a knee to the head.
Hawking missing with knees to the body.
Hawking blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Hawking's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
El Shabazz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
El Shabazz thuds his right hand into Hawking's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
El Shabazz checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hawking looks to score with a jab to the body but El Shabazz is just out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from El Shabazz! But no joy.
El Shabazz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
El Shabazz connects with a leg kick.
Hawking is looking to wear down El Shabazz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circle momentarily. El Shabazz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
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!
El Shabazz blocks a head kick by Hawking.
Hawking throws a looping overhand right but El Shabazz ducks down to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from El Shabazz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
El Shabazz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hawking. That did some damage!
El Shabazz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hawking was well out of range. Poor timing from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz looks to score with a jab to the body but Hawking is just out of range.
Hawking throws a big counter combination but El Shabazz scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
El Shabazz just misses with a punch to the body.
El Shabazz takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by El Shabazz.
Hawking pulls out of a head kick attempt.
El Shabazz lands a slapping body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. El Shabazz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
El Shabazz misses with an uppercut.
El Shabazz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hawking stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A head kick by Hawking misses
and El Shabazz counters with a right hand to the body.
El Shabazz connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
El Shabazz misses with a straight left.
Hawking connects with a right hand. El Shabazz shakes it off.
Stephen Hawking has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hawking is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hawking throws a head kick but El Shabazz moves out of range.
El Shabazz looks to throw the jab but Hawking is out of range.
Good shot there by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz connects with a nice looking jab.
Hawking tries a head kick but it misses.
Hawking throws a lazy head kick
and Hawking takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawking moves to clinch but El Shabazz breaks away
and El Shabazz counters with a three punch combo that has Hawking backing up. Hawking nods at El Shabazz to acknowledge the strikes.
El Shabazz lands with an overhand left.
Hawking takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hawking throws a hook but El Shabazz blocks it.
Hawking's hands are dropping dangerously low here and El Shabazz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hawking scrambles back to his feet.
El Shabazz scores with a body shot.
Hawking throws a hook to the side of El Shabazz's head but El Shabazz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hawking tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
El Shabazz works the jab nicely.

El Shabazz takes the fight into the clinch.
Malik El Shabazz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hawking wants to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malik El Shabazz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well El Shabazz has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik El Shabazz!
After the fight, Malik El Shabazz was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.