PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Hawkings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob McArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hawkings
vs
McArthur

184 cm
20
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shawn Hawkings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob McArthur!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawkings takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fight stays on the outside here - McArthur looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McArthur tries to clinch but Hawkings is having none of it.
McArthur swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hawkings avoids the head kick by McArthur.

Hawkings takes the fight into the clinch.
McArthur lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Shawn Hawkings has been cut.
McArthur throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McArthur is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hawkings is defending well for now.
McArthur missing with knees to the body.
McArthur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McArthur trying to land knees to the body.
McArthur throws an elbow that misses.
McArthur tries to land a knee to the head but Hawkings blocks with his arms.
McArthur throws a knee to the head but misses.
McArthur can't get the takedown.
Hawkings goes for a takedown attempt but McArthur pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hawkings turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hawkings holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
McArthur landing knees to the body.
McArthur looking to throw knees to the head but Hawkings is blocking nicely.

Hawkings lands a takedown into guard.
Hawkings controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McArthur is looking to stand up but Hawkings isn't so interested in that idea.
Hawkings controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McArthur wants to stand and escape but Hawkings is having none of it.
Hawkings showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rob McArthur will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shawn Hawkings's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McArthur throws a head kick that misses.
McArthur misses with a combination

and Hawkings decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McArthur's guard.
Hawkings looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Shawn Hawkings just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
McArthur misses with a head kick.
McArthur clinches but Hawkings breaks the clinch

and Hawkings holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
McArthur trying to land knees to the body.
McArthur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hawkings jumps guard but McArthur stands there with Hawkings around his waist. Hawkings gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McArthur goes for a takedown attempt but Hawkings pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Hawkings looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for McArthur!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McArthur is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
McArthur is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Hawkings has taken his back!
Hawkings is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkings seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down McArthur for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Hawkings dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shawn Hawkings'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!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hawkings.
Hawkings is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down McArthur's shoulder. That is not cool.
McArthur tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Hawkings controlling from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Shawn Hawkings just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
McArthur wants to clinch

and Hawkings counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hawkings.
Hawkings showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkings trying to control but McArthur is working from the bottom.
McArthur is looking to stand up but Hawkings isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkings content to stall in guard here.
Hawkings wants to control from the top but McArthur keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hawkings is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hawkings's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn Hawkings showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hawkings has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Hawkings!