PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thufir Hawat (ranked 1735 p4p, 1056 weight class) and Marco Vera (ranked 220 p4p, 145 weight class). Thufir Hawat has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hawat
vs
Vera

185 cm
30
178
19 - 21 - 0

178 cm
25
181
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store

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 19 - 21 - 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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marco Vera!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawat misses with a left hand
and Vera counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Thufir Hawat has been cut.
Thufir Hawat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawat throws a sloppy head kick and Vera moves out of range easily.
Hawat slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Vera tries to clinch up but Hawat circles away and keeps his distance.
Hawat keeps the fight on the outside.
Hawat lands an overhand right.

Vera clinches with his opponent.
Come on Hawat - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hawat effectively controlling the action here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Hawat for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Hawat blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hawat has Vera pushed against the cage.
Vera wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vera misses with a punch to the body.
Vera prevents a body shot from Hawat.
Vera wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hawat has him pressed against the cage.
Hawat misses with the head strike.
Vera is trying to push Hawat away but Hawat has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vera prevents a body shot from Hawat.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hawat.
Hawat misses with a punch on the inside.
Vera fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Vera breaks the clinch.
Hawat has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Animal Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera is looking to clinch.
Hawat moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hawat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vera moves in looking to clinch but Hawat pushes him off.
Vera takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawat throws a hook but Vera avoids it easily.
Hawat throws a jab when Vera was well out of range.
Vera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hawat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vera.
Vera lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hawat getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vera throws a hook to the side of Hawat's head but Hawat sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hawat. Vera shrugs it off though.
Vera closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vera throws a looping overhand right but Hawat ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera looks to land a left hand but Hawat moved out of range nicely.
Vera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hawat. That's going to slow Vera down.
A shot to the liver by Vera. Beautiful body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Hawat misses the target.
Hawat throws a body shot but no joy.
Hawat lands a body shot.
Hawat throws a predictable looking body shot
and Vera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A looping hook to the body misses from Vera. Hawat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawat tries to land a front kick but Vera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vera tries to move into range but Hawat moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vera fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vera needs to keep his hands up - Hawat had a free shot at his head there.
Hawat lands a slapping body shot.
Hawat is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hawat paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera moves forwards but Hawat connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hawat throws a nice inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawat. Vera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hawat lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Vera throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hawat avoids the body shot from Vera.
Hawat lands a really nice looking cross but Vera seems unphased.
Hawat throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vera sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawat bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hawat scores with a jab.
Vera wants to clinch up but Hawat keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Hawat misses the target.
Vera lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Vera stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hawat.
Hawat is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nice body kick there by Hawat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thufir Hawat's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hawat misses with a body shot.
Hawat goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hawat - that will leave a mark!
Hawat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vera can do to turn this around?
Hawat scores with a leg kick.
Hawat throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hawat throws out a loose jab but Vera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hawat manages to avoid it.
Vera wants to clinch.
Vera cracks a nice hook into Hawat's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vera moves out of range of the strikes.
Hawat throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hawat takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera tries to clinch but Hawat is having none of it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hawat.
Hawat misses the jab.
Vera takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hawat ducks right into an uppercut from Vera.
Vera has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hawat throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hawat takes one on the button.

Hawat tries to keep at a distance but Vera has taken the fight into the clinch.

Vera breaks the clinch.
Vera throws a right hand that Hawat ducks under and follows up with a left that Hawat also avoids with ease.
A low kick lands for Hawat.
Hawat looks to land a combination but Vera avoids it well.
Vera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hawat. Vera does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vera wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hawat has him pressed against the cage.
Vera tries to break free but Hawat pushes him back against the cage.
Hawat will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vera up against the cage.

Hawat manages to break the clinch.
Hawat chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hawat connects with a right hand. Vera shakes it off.

Vera drives through and clinches with Hawat against the cage.

Vera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thufir Hawat is winning the standup battle so far.
Vera stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hawat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawat blocks a jab.
Hawat was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hawat scores with a spinning back kick!
Vera ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hawat just misses with a punch to the body.

Vera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vera tries to break free but Hawat pushes him back against the cage.
Hawat tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vera avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hawat throws an elbow but misses.
Hawat pressing his opponent against the cage.
Vera throws a head punch that misses.
Vera tries to break the clinch but Hawat is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hawat misses with a body punch.
Vera will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hawat up against the cage.
Vera is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vera misses with a hook to the ribs.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Vera manages to break the clinch.
Hawat misses with a straight left.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thufir Hawat dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thufir Hawat's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hawat paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hawat fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vera misses with a straight right.
Hawat was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Vera drops his hands momentarily and Hawat takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Vera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hawat jabs at Vera's body.
Vera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hawat.
Vera is looking to clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Hawat there.

Vera gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Marco Vera seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vera throws a punch but it's blocked by Hawat.
Vera lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hawat backwards.
Vera works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vera misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vera has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera can't find room to land a body shot as Hawat controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hawat.

Vera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hawat misses with a looping left.
Vera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Vera moves away from the strike by Hawat.
Hawat goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Vera takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vera takes one on the button.
Hawat throws a leg kick which misses Vera's front leg but catches the back leg as Vera tries to avoid it.
Hawat misses with a leg kick
and Vera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vera drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hawat misses with a hook to the body
and Vera counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Thufir Hawat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vera tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Hawat counter with a right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vera darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hawat slips a straight right by Vera.
Vera throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vera swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hawat counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hawat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vera. That did some damage!
Hawat just misses with a punch to the body.
Vera tries to clinch but Hawat is having none of it.
Vera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vera is looking to clinch.
Hawat circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice straight punches there by Hawat. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hawat.
Vera moves in looking to clinch but Hawat pushes him off.
Hawat scores with a shot to the body.
Hawat connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Vera misses.
Vera clobbers Hawat with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Vera throws a jab but it's blocked by Hawat.
Vera takes one on the button.
Vera takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Vera throws a jab when Hawat was well out of range.
Hawat misses with a straight left.
Hawat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vera. That did some damage!
Vera moves in looking to clinch but Hawat pushes him off.

Vera clinches with his opponent.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hawat looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Hawat's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Vera lunges at Hawat with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hawat's hand.
Vera has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hawat uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vera.
Hawat was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hawat swats away the attempt to clinch by Vera.
Hawat takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawat lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice defenses there by Vera.
Hawat connects with an inside leg kick.
Hawat lands with a right hand.
Marco Vera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vera lands a slapping body shot.

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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27

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