PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lalbon Turu Rapthlaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kev Hawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Turu Rapthlaka's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Another Round. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Turu Rapthlaka
vs
Hawkins

190 cm
23
275 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

190 cm
30
255 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lalbon Turu Rapthlaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kev Hawkins!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Hawkins. No joy for Turu Rapthlaka on that attempt.
Turu Rapthlaka tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hawkins counters with a leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hawkins enables Turu Rapthlaka to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hawkins manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Turu Rapthlaka scoring with some ground and pound.
Hawkins working a defensive guard here.
Turu Rapthlaka scoring with some ground and pound.
Turu Rapthlaka throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turu Rapthlaka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hawkins wants to sweep but no luck.
Hawkins keeps trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Turu Rapthlaka throws a big elbow that misses.
Turu Rapthlaka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Turu Rapthlaka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Turu Rapthlaka postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turu Rapthlaka wants to get up but he can't break Hawkins's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hawkins looking to control.
Hawkins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Turu Rapthlaka!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turu Rapthlaka is trying desperately to improve position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hawkins is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Turu Rapthlaka can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
We've been hearing good reports from Turu Rapthlaka's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Hawkins jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Turu Rapthlaka manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Turu Rapthlaka gets back to half guard.
Turu Rapthlaka is looking to escape.
Hawkins looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Turu Rapthlaka moves into full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Turu Rapthlaka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Turu Rapthlaka keeping full guard, as Hawkins tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins advances position into side control!
Hawkins working away.
Turu Rapthlaka manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hawkins's best efforts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Turu Rapthlaka trying to control from the bottom.
Turu Rapthlaka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hawkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turu Rapthlaka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hawkins is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hawkins postures up.
Hawkins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hawkins advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turu Rapthlaka is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Turu Rapthlaka trying to control here.
Turu Rapthlaka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Turu Rapthlaka.
Turu Rapthlaka controlling the position.
Hawkins preventing the sweep.
Hawkins passes into half guard.
Hawkins prevents Turu Rapthlaka from improving his position.
Turu Rapthlaka is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hawkins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hawkins's back!
Hawkins trying to control the action but Turu Rapthlaka just sinks the hooks in.
Turu Rapthlaka doesn't have the hooks in and Hawkins manages to turn into his guard.
Turu Rapthlaka keeping full guard, as Hawkins tries to pass.

Turu Rapthlaka looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hawkins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turu Rapthlaka is keeping the position for now.
Hawkins postures up.
Hawkins wants to pass the guard but Turu Rapthlaka is keeping the position.
Hawkins prevents Turu Rapthlaka from getting back to his feet.
Hawkins pushes down on Turu Rapthlaka's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Turu Rapthlaka is looking to control Hawkins's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Turu Rapthlaka avoid being mounted?
Hawkins wants to pass the guard but Turu Rapthlaka is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Turu Rapthlaka tries to roll over but Hawkins keeps him under control.

Hawkins is looking for a kimura but Turu Rapthlaka is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hawkins to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lalbon Turu Rapthlaka will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Turu Rapthlaka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hawkins, pushing him back against the cage.
Turu Rapthlaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Hawkins.
Turu Rapthlaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hawkins is trying to force a seperation but Turu Rapthlaka has the dominant position.

Hawkins breaks from the clinch.
Turu Rapthlaka shoots in looking for a takedown. Hawkins tries to sprawl out of it but Turu Rapthlaka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hawkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kev Hawkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hawkins tries to keep at a distance but Turu Rapthlaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Turu Rapthlaka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hawkins is looking to break free of the clinch but Turu Rapthlaka has double underhooks.
Hawkins is trying to force a seperation but Turu Rapthlaka has the dominant position.
Turu Rapthlaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Hawkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Still in the clinch, Turu Rapthlaka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hawkins tries to circle away but Turu Rapthlaka has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turu Rapthlaka pushes Hawkins back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hawkins is breathing heavily.
Turu Rapthlaka misses with a punch on the inside.
Hawkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Turu Rapthlaka has Hawkins pressed against the cage, preventing Hawkins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hawkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Turu Rapthlaka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Turu Rapthlaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hawkins's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice body punch from Turu Rapthlaka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Turu Rapthlaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Turu Rapthlaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Turu Rapthlaka lands a right hand.
Hawkins takes a shot to the head.
Hawkins takes a shot to the head.
Turu Rapthlaka lands with a left to the head.
Turu Rapthlaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Turu Rapthlaka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Turu Rapthlaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Turu Rapthlaka.
Turu Rapthlaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hawkins.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Turu Rapthlaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turu Rapthlaka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Turu Rapthlaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Turu Rapthlaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hawkins's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Hawkins is rocked!
Turu Rapthlaka creates a bit of distance and cracks Hawkins with a massive left hook! Hawkins crumples out of camera shot, completely unconscious! He's been Nelmarked! Turu Rapthlaka stares at him for a moment then struts over to his corner, victorious.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Lalbon Turu Rapthlaka!
In his post fight interview, Lalbon Turu Rapthlaka started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.