PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dale Neely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Hawk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Neely
vs
Hawk

185 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dale Neely!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Hawk!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawk circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hawk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Neely closes the distance but Hawk moves to the side
and Hawk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Neely looks to clinch
and Neely takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Hawk clinches.
Neely tries to land knees in the clinch but Hawk avoids the damage to the body.
Neely taking a breather.
Hawk taking a breather.
Neely misses with an elbow strike.
Neely letting Hawk take a breather here.
Neely fails to pull guard.
Hawk lands a shot to the body.
Hawk is looking to break free of the clinch but Neely has double underhooks.
Neely tries for a takedown. No joy.
A nice left hand lands by Hawk.
A right hook to the body lands for Hawk.
Hawk is pressed up against the cage. Neely has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hawk down to the mat. Hawk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dale Neely. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neely darts in trying to clinch
and Hawk counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neely closes the distance but Hawk moves to the side

and Hawk moves into the clinch.

Neely successfully pulls guard.
Neely wants to sweep here but Hawk controlling him for the moment.
Hawk would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hawk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Hawk gets to his feet. Neely looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Neely tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Hawk counters by clinching up.
Neely wants to break the clinch but can't.
Neely wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hawk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neely misses with a knee to the head.
Hawk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hawk wants to get back to striking at distance but Neely won't allow it.
Neely wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hawk has him pressed against the cage.
Neely is working for takedown but Hawk is calmly controlling the position for now.
Neely tries to break the clinch but Hawk is controlling the position.
Hawk lands a right hand that snaps the head of Neely backwards.
Hawk effectively controlling the action here.
Neely connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hawk's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Neely.
Good body shot from Hawk.
Nice body punch from Hawk.
Neely tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hawk avoids it.
Neely tries to break free but Hawk pushes him back against the cage.
Neely is breathing heavily.
Hawk content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Neely tries to work over Hawk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hawk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Neely has him pressed against the cage.
Hawk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Hawk.

Neely breaks the clinch.

Hawk clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk lands a nice uppercut.
Neely misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hawk.
Neely has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hawk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Neely jumps guard but Hawk stands there with Neely around his waist. Neely gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Neely is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hawk is keeping busy.
Hawk wants to break free but Neely has control.
A shot in the inside from Hawk.
Hawk is trying to break free.
Hawk tries to break the clinch but Neely is controlling the position.
The referee calls for Hawk to work.
Neely prevents Hawk from breaking the clinch.
Hawk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hawk blocks a body shot from Neely.
Hawk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hawk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Neely.
A head punch on the inside from Neely fails to land.
Hawk is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hawk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hawk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hawk is looking to break free of the clinch but Neely has double underhooks.
Hawk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hawk.
Hawk wants to break free but Neely has control.
Hawk stalling against the cage.
Neely misses with a body punch.
Hawk blocks the elbow strike.
Hawk lands a shot to the body.
Hawk tries to break free but Neely pushes him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Hawk.
Neely is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Neely tries to land knees in the clinch but Hawk avoids the damage to the body.
Hawk scores with a hook to the body.
Neely misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hawk.
Neely is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hawk pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Neely keeps control of Hawk as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Neely's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Neely shoots in for a double leg but Hawk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hawk dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Neely lands with a kick to the temple. Hawk shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hawk lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hawk circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hawk holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Neely is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Hawk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Neely moves to clinch but Hawk breaks away

and Hawk holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Neely is trying to push Hawk away but Hawk has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hawk lands a hook to the side of the head.
Neely jumps guard but Hawk stands there with Neely around his waist. Neely gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Neely manages to break the clinch.
Neely shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hawk as he avoids it easily.
Hawk avoids the head kick by Neely.
Neely fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dale Neely. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hawk falls off balance throwing a combination

and Neely counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neely with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hawk.
Hawk avoiding damage.
Hawk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hawk is looking to break free of the clinch but Neely has double underhooks.
Hawk blocks an elbow strike from Neely.
Hawk has had enough of the clinch but Neely keeps him there for the moment.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Neely is controlling him.
Hawk digs a right hand into Neely's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Neely's gas tank.
Hawk can't break the clinch.
Neely wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hawk keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Neely's efforts to push away.
Hawk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Neely stalling the fight.
Neely throws a head punch that misses.
Neely tries to break the clinch but Hawk is controlling the position.
Neely tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hawk smiles and moves away.

Hawk closes the distance and clinches.

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.
Hawk stalling the fight.
Hawk scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Neely creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hawk is leaning against Neely and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hawk lands a shoulder strike.
Neely goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hawk prevents it.
Hawk tries to break free but Neely pushes him back against the cage.
Neely using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hawk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hawk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hawk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hawk lands a shot to the body.
Hawk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hawk is trying to force a seperation but Neely has the dominant position.
Hawk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hawk avoiding damage as Neely throws knees to the body.
Neely being controlled against the cage.
Hawk wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk gets underhooks to prevent Neely's takedown attempt.
Hawk digs a right hand into Neely's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Neely's gas tank.
Hawk has had enough of the clinch but Neely keeps him there for the moment.
Hawk lands with a light punch inside.
Hawk is trying to break free.
Hawk managing to block the knees to the body from Neely.
Nice body punch from Hawk - that landed with a thud.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Neely is controlling him.
Hawk wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hawk has had enough of the clinch but Neely keeps him there for the moment.
Neely missing with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Neely.
Neely leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hawk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Neely tries to land knees in the clinch but Hawk avoids the damage to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hawk.
Neely jumps guard but Hawk stands there with Neely around his waist. Neely gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hawk tries to break the clinch but Neely is controlling the position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four 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.
Hawk lands with a left to the head.
Neely drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hawk gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hawk scores with a nice hook to the head.
Neely is trying to push Hawk away but Hawk has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hawk.
Neely is trying to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hawk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Neely taking a breather.
Hawk is trying to break free.
Neely looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Neely is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hawk is keeping busy.
Neely tries a knee to the head but Hawk blocks it.
Neely looking to stall.
Hawk has Neely pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hawk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hawk misses with a wild combination.
Hawk connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Neely tries to clinch up

and Hawk counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hawk.
Neely is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Neely manages to break the clinch.
Neely tries to clinch

and Hawk counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hawk.
Neely is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hawk is defending well for now.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Neely has him pressed against the cage.
Neely drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hawk pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hawk takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Hawk on the inside.
Hawk lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hawk has had enough of the clinch but Neely keeps him there for the moment.
Neely wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mike Hawk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hawk pushes Neely back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hawk managing to block the knees to the body from Neely.

Neely breaks the clinch.
Neely tries to clinch but Hawk moves away
and Hawk counters with a two punch combo.

Hawk moves into the clinch.
Neely has Hawk pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hawk manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Neely gets control of Hawk's arms and successfully pulls guard. Neely will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hawk tries to stand but Neely is controlling from the bottom.

Neely working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hawk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hawk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hawk has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Neely is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neely will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hawk trying to control the position from guard on top but Neely is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Neely tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Neely manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hawk manages to get himself to full guard.
Hawk is looking to stand up but Neely isn't so interested in that idea.
Hawk keeping full guard, as Neely tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk is striking from the bottom but Neely uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Neely trying to control from half guard but Hawk is working away.
Hawk is trying to get back to full guard.
Neely seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Neely wants to stand up but Hawk is controlling the position.
Hawk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Neely. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Neely throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hawk is trying to stand back up but Neely is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawk is staying active underneath Neely, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hawk is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neely thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dale Neely has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Hawk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neely trying to control the action but Hawk is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Hawk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hawk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Hawk!
Mike Hawk is the new welterweight champion!