PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Lewis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Makaweli Tavern (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavern comes into a darkened arena with his song building. One Day Too Late kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Hugo Lewis had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Lewis
vs
Tavern

192 cm
22
196 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
190 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hugo Lewis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Makaweli Tavern!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lewis takes the fight into the clinch.

Lewis jumps into guard, dragging Tavern to the mat.
Tavern must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lewis is pulling down on Tavern's head to control his posture.
Tavern missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tavern throws a big elbow that misses.
Lewis wants to stand but Tavern is controlling the position.
Tavern throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavern throwing strikes but missing.
Tavern throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavern throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lewis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavern in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lewis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lewis managing to control the position.
Tavern throws an elbow that misses. Lewis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tavern's guard. Nice move by Lewis!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavern utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lewis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lewis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hugo Lewis just wasn't active enough.

Lewis moves into the clinch.

Lewis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lewis moves into the clinch.
Lewis is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Tavern has clasped his hands together around Lewis's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tavern working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavern swings around for an armbar but Lewis sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Tavern's guard.
Lewis tries to free his leg and advance position but Tavern is retaining full guard.
We've been informed that Tavern has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lewis engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lewis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tavern is keeping the position for now.
Lewis throws an elbow that misses. Tavern uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lewis's guard. Nice move by Tavern!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavern postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lewis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Tavern postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lewis is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tavern, into his guard.
Tavern can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lewis controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lewis takes the fight into the clinch.

Tavern tightens his grip and picks Lewis up, before dumping him to the ground. Lewis manages to land in guard.

Tavern drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lewis manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tavern has Lewis in his guard.
Makaweli Tavern has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lewis is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavern can't keep his opponent in guard - Lewis advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lewis is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lewis trying to control the action but Tavern is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hugo Lewis.

Lewis gets a clinch.

Lewis successfully pulls guard.
Tavern in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tavern throws a strike but Lewis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lewis not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lewis wants to control from the top but Tavern keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lewis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tavern wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Lewis manages to pass to side control.
Lewis stalling.
Tavern is trying to maintain the position but Lewis is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavern wants to get back to his feet.
Lewis throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lewis looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Lewis is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lewis lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Lewis dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lewis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short uppercut from Lewis.

Tavern tightens his grip and picks Lewis up, before dumping him to the ground. Lewis manages to land in guard.
Tavern throws a big right hand that misses.
Tavern preventing the sweep.
Lewis wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lewis wants to get back to his feet but Tavern is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lewis controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tavern throws an elbow that misses. Lewis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tavern's guard. Nice move by Lewis!
Lewis trying to control but Tavern is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hugo Lewis just wasn't active enough.

Lewis closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Lewis as the two fighters clinch.
Tavern takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lewis creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Lewis manages to break the clinch.

Lewis clinches up against the cage.

Lewis pulls guard effortlessly.
Tavern throws a strike but Lewis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lewis is stalling in the full guard.
Tavern utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lewis postures up.
Lewis is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lewis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tavern's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavern wants to stand but Lewis is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lewis fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lewis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Lewis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tavern dives in and scores a takedown into Lewis's guard.
Lewis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tavern is looking to advance position but Lewis has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lewis controlling his opponent.
Lewis trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tavern takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Makaweli Tavern has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hugo Lewis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tavern throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Lewis blocks Tavern's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugo Lewis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lewis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugo Lewis!
Makaweli Tavern was interviewed post fight and said 'i'm sorry that i didn't give it my all byt i'll come back better'.