PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Hawking (ranked 3173 p4p, 1688 weight class) and Kaoru Hanayama (ranked 396 p4p, 226 weight class). Hanayama has chosen Hanayama vs Katsumi as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hawking
vs
Hanayama

174 cm
23
176
9 - 11 - 0

182 cm
34
175
19 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Fantasy Threads

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Hawking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kaoru Hanayama!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawking throws a head kick but Hanayama moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hawking connects with a nice looking jab.

Hanayama rushes Hawking and presses him up against the cage.
Hawking definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hanayama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hawking wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hanayama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hawking.
Hanayama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hanayama lands with a short shot to the head.
Hanayama is pushing Hawking up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hawking is looking to break free of the clinch but Hanayama has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawking is trying to force a seperation but Hanayama has the dominant position.
Hanayama lands a left hand.
Hawking wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hawking is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hawking can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hanayama up against the cage.

Hawking breaks the clinch.
Hanayama fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jab, jab by Hanayama - just one landing.
Hawking moves in looking to clinch but Hanayama pushes him off.

Hanayama throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hawking was covering up waiting for the punch and Hanayama finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hanayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawking is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawking wants to get back to his feet but Hanayama is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hanayama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawking swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawking is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hawking is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hawking is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Hanayama presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Hawking blocks an uppercut.
Hanayama tries a body shot but Hawking blocks it.

Hawking pulls guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawking wants to stand up but Hanayama is controlling him.
Hanayama is standing up over Hawking. Hawking looks to escape but Hanayama dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hawking's face as Hanayama controls the position.
Hawking wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hanayama content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Hanayama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hawking has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hanayama swings around for an armbar but Hawking sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hanayama's guard.
Hawking is looking to stand up but Hanayama won't let him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hanayama is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawking can't keep his opponent in guard - Hanayama advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hawking pushes Hanayama off looking to stand but Hanayama dives back in and keeps control.
Hawking wants to stand back up but Hanayama manages to pass into side control.
Hawking is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hanayama asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hanayama controlling the position.

Hawking bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaoru Hanayama dominated that round.
That's time! Hawking's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hanayama throws a sloppy head kick and Hawking moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Hawking misses
and Hawking takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hawking pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hanayama lands with a nice combination. Hawking backs away looking to recover.
Stephen Hawking is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hawking on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hawking takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hanayama misses with a takedown attempt - Hawking sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hawking walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hanayama checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hawking looks to land a combination but Hanayama avoids it well.
Hawking misses with a double jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Hanayama misses.
Hawking fails to land with a series of punches.
Hawking misses with a low kick.
Hawking misses with the body kick
and Hanayama cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Hanayama dodges the punch combination from Hawking.
Hawking throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hanayama counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Hanayama.

Hanayama instigates a clinch.
Hanayama tries a body shot but Hawking blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hawking tries to break the clinch but Hanayama is controlling the position.
Still in the clinch, Hanayama scores with a nice short uppercut.

Hawking pulls Hanayama into guard.
Hanayama showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Let's hope that Hanayama has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hanayama moves in looking to clinch but Hawking pushes him off.
Kaoru Hanayama seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good shot there by Hanayama.
Hawking works over Hanayama's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Kaoru Hanayama has been cut.
Hanayama blocks the body kick.
Hawking misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch lands to the side of Hawking 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hawking pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hawking throws a lazy head kick
and Hanayama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hawking swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hanayama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hanayama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hanayama lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hanayama lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hawking or not.
Nice body punch from Hanayama.
Hanayama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hanayama gets through Hawking's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hanayama goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hawking prevents it.

Hanayama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hanayama defending well as Hawking loads up on a big left hand.
Stephen Hawking is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hawking throws a wild body kick that Hanayama sees coming a mile off.
Hawking tries a head kick but it misses.
Hawking misses with a wild combination.
A punch lands to the side of Hawking 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hanayama is defended easily by Hawking.
Stephen Hawking has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Hanayama.
Hanayama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hanayama digs a good hook to Hawking's body.
Hawking lands a jab-cross combination.
Hawking tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hanayama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hanayama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Hawking breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hanayama shoots for a takedown but Hawking saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hanayama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hawking misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hanayama tries a head kick but it misses.

Hanayama has closed the distance and engaged Hawking in a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaoru Hanayama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kaoru Hanayama's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hanayama takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hawking swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hanayama counters with a straight right hand.
Hanayama is looking to clinch.
Hanayama has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hawking misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hanayama! But no joy.
Hanayama fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hawking tries to keep at a distance but Hanayama has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hanayama gets through Hawking's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hanayama lands with a right to the head.
A body shot lands from Hanayama.
Hawking takes a shot to the head.

Hanayama breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hanayama moves into range and clinches up with Hawking.

Hanayama breaks the clinch.
Hanayama lands a high kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanayama misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hawking seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hawking misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking lands a glancing blow to the side of Hanayama's head.
Hanayama avoids the head kick by Hawking.
Hawking misses with a head kick.
Hawking misses with a straight right.
Hanayama let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hawking throws a series of punches but Hanayama avoids them all with ease.
Hawking cracks Hanayama with a good jab.
Hawking throws a head kick that misses

and Hanayama counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hawking is looking to stand back up but Hanayama counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Hawking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hanayama is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hanayama is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hawking doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hanayama.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hawking wants to get back to his feet.
Hanayama slows the pace down in half guard.
Hawking tries to kick Hanayama off but Hanayama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Hanayama manages to move to mount!
Stephen Hawking has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hanayama won't let Hawking get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Hanayama sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Hanayama is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Hawking can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawking is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kaoru Hanayama has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hawking has left one of his arms exposed and Hanayama doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Hawking screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kaoru Hanayama!
Kaoru Hanayama tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.