PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kev Hawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Smiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Hawkins
vs
Smiths

190 cm
30
255 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
270 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

TWGC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kev Hawkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Smiths!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smiths shoots in for a double leg but Hawkins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Smiths instigates a clinch.
Smiths tries to score a body lock takedown but Hawkins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Smiths keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hawkins's efforts to push away.

Hawkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smiths misses with a wild body shot.

Smiths gets a takedown into half guard.
Hawkins is concentrating on defense, preventing Smiths from advancing position.

Smiths wants to work for an arm triangle but Hawkins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Smiths seems to be looking for submissions.
Hawkins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smiths.

Smiths is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hawkins is just riding it out for now. Smiths eventually gives up the hold.
Hawkins is trying to get back to full guard.
Hawkins has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Hawkins regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smiths wants to pass the guard but Hawkins is keeping the position.
Smiths missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smiths trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smiths has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hawkins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smiths.
Hawkins wants to sweep here but Smiths controlling him for the moment.
Hawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smiths forces his way into half guard.
Hawkins gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins controlling the position.
Smiths trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!
Smiths stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smiths throws a big right hand that misses.
Hawkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smiths is one step ahead there.
Smiths stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smiths lands a couple of elbows.
Smiths slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Smiths tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hawkins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smiths wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Smiths trying to control the action but Hawkins is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smiths working away.
Smiths wants to control but Hawkins is keeping him busy.
Hawkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Smiths tries for a kimura but Hawkins is defending well.
Hawkins prevents Smiths from moving into mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smiths tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Hawkins regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smiths throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hawkins is concentrating on defense, preventing Smiths from advancing position.
Hawkins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smiths.
Smiths is trying to control. Hawkins wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hawkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smiths is working away from the top position though.
Smiths sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hawkins defending well though.

Smiths is looking for a kimura but Hawkins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smiths to get the leverage.

Hawkins is defending against the submission attempts here by Smiths.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smiths is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hawkins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smiths's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smiths's back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hawkins is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Smiths is trying to get back to his feet but Hawkins has full control of the position and if anything, Smiths has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Smiths has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Smiths tries to escape but Hawkins has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Smiths dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smiths fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smiths misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
John Smiths seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawkins defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smiths.
Kev Hawkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Smiths.
Smiths shoots in but no luck this time.
Smiths shoots in and drives through. Hawkins sprawls well.
Smiths shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hawkins counters with an outside leg kick.
Smiths misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smiths shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hawkins pinned against the cage. Hawkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smiths is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawkins as he jumps to the side.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hawkins as he avoids it easily.
Smiths dives in for a single leg takedown but Hawkins sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Hawkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smiths closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hawkins circles away.
Hawkins leaves Smiths with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smiths is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Smiths or perhaps it was just good defense by Hawkins which made him look bad.
Smiths wants to clinch up but Hawkins keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smiths.
Hawkins stuffs the takedown attempt from Smiths. Smiths gets slowly back to his feet.
Smiths shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hawkins pinned against the cage. Hawkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smiths will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Smiths with that takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smiths looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hawkins circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Hawkins counter with a right hand.

It looks like John Smiths has been cut.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hawkins as he avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smiths wants to clinch.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown but Hawkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smiths tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hawkins defends well and Smiths ends up having to push Hawkins into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hawkins wants to break free but Smiths has control.

Hawkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smiths fails with a takedown attempt.
Smiths tries for a takedown but Hawkins circles away easily
and Hawkins counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Smiths is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smiths shoots in looking for a takedown. Hawkins tries to sprawl out of it but Smiths 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck for Smiths with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kev Hawkins dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on John Smiths's cut.
That's time! Hawkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smiths tries to clinch but Hawkins moves out of range.
Smiths tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hawkins sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smiths somewhat.

Hawkins gets tackled into the cage by Smiths. Smiths maintains the clinch.

Hawkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smiths with a poor takedown
and Hawkins counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hawkins keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kev Hawkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Smiths.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smiths.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Hawkins here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Smiths takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smiths tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hawkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smiths fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smiths tries to close the distance and clinch but Hawkins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smiths shoots in and drives through. Hawkins sprawls well.
Smiths looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown but Hawkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smiths tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smiths closes the distance and clinches up with Hawkins, looking for a takedown. Smiths pushes Hawkins against the cage but Hawkins circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smiths fails with the takedown

and Hawkins counters with a nice right hand that sends Smiths toppling to the canvas! Smiths scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Hawkins finish him?!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smiths dives in and grabs Hawkins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hawkins pushes down on Smiths's head and hops out.
Smiths fails with the takedown
and Hawkins counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smiths's knee momentarily.
Smiths moves to clinch but Hawkins breaks away
and Hawkins counters with a thumping low kick.
Smiths closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hawkins circles away.
Smiths is looking to clinch.
Smiths doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hawkins counters with a good low kick that Smiths was not able to check.
Kev Hawkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawkins as he jumps to the side.
Smiths tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hawkins sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smiths somewhat.
Smiths fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hawkins avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Hawkins as Smiths shoots in.
Smiths shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smiths fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hawkins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smiths shoots for a double leg takedown but Hawkins sprawls well. He's pushed Smiths's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smiths tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hawkins swivels and escapes.
Hawkins circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hawkins stuffs the takedown.
Smiths tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hawkins swivels and escapes.
Smiths shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hawkins pinned against the cage. Hawkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smiths fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kev Hawkins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hawkins 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kev Hawkins!
After winning the bout, Kev Hawkins thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.