PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Hathaway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Grazze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hathaway
vs
Grazze

187 cm
20
193 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
190 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Hathaway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Joseph Grazze!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grazze misses with a looping right.
Hathaway uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Grazze has time to react.
Hathaway closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hathaway scores with a crisp jab that stopped Grazze in his tracks.
Hathaway swinging wildly here.
Grazze fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Hathaway moves into the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hathaway scores with a nice short uppercut.
Grazze tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hathaway smiles and moves away.
Hathaway wants to clinch up but Grazze keeps it at a distance.
Grazze swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grazze shoots in and bounces Hathaway off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Grazze controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Grazze's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Grazze works over Hathaway with some ground and pound from guard.
Grazze working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Grazze controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hathaway lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grazze!
Grazze wants to control but Hathaway is having none of it.
Hathaway trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hathaway controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hathaway looking to control but Grazze is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Grazze tries to hold on but Hathaway postures up.
Hathaway wants to take his opponent's back but Grazze doesn't allow it.
Grazze keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hathaway tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hathaway avoids the attempt from Grazze to control.
Hathaway trying to control but Grazze is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grazze trying desperately to get to his feet.
Hathaway looking to control but Grazze is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Grazze tries to reverse the position but Hathaway maintains control.
Hathaway controlling from mount.
Grazze wants to hold on but Hathaway pushes him away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grazze can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hathaway tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Grazze is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway avoids the attempt from Grazze to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hathaway trying to control but Grazze is having none of it.
Grazze is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hathaway looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hathaway trying to control but Grazze is having none of it.
Hathaway tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike Hathaway wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hathaway tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hathaway dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hathaway lands a nice leg kick that just misses Grazze's sensitive parts.
Hathaway fails to land with a series of punches.
Hathaway shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grazze but Grazze pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hathaway tries to clinch but Grazze is having none of it.
Hathaway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grazze has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hathaway swinging wildly here.
Hathaway throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hathaway scoring well with a low kick there.
Hathaway throws a nice looking combination but Grazze bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Grazze throws a hook but Hathaway blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hathaway scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hathaway goes for a double leg but Grazze avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Grazze continues to drive forward.
Grazze tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hathaway smiles and moves away.
Hathaway throws a leg kick which misses Grazze's front leg but catches the back leg as Grazze tries to avoid it.
Hathaway throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hathaway scores with a jab. Grazze acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mike Hathaway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grazze tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hathaway swivels and escapes.
Hathaway fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grazze.
Grazze stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hathaway.
Hathaway misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Hathaway catches Grazze right on the button with a cross.
Mike Hathaway is winning the standup battle so far.
Hathaway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hathaway feints a jab promting Grazze to slip. Hathaway then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Grazze slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grazze fails to land the takedown.
Mike Hathaway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Grazze.
Grazze avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hathaway throws a quick inside leg kick.
Grazze shoots in for a double leg but Hathaway sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hathaway lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway wants to clinch up but Grazze keeps it at a distance.
Grazze walks into a stiff left hand from Hathaway.
Hathaway lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grazze circles away quickly and effectively.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hathaway.
Hathaway fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hathaway looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Grazze shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hathaway napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hathaway wants to control but Grazze postures up.
Grazze trying to control the action but Hathaway is working from the bottom.
Grazze misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway is looking to regain half guard here but Grazze keeps moving and retains side control.
Hathaway trying to remain calm as Grazze controls from the top position.
Hathaway is looking to regain half guard here but Grazze keeps moving and retains side control.
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!
Hathaway is trying to control Grazze's posture but Grazze avoids it.
Hathaway is looking for a sweep.
Hathaway wants to control but Grazze postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Grazze cracks Hathaway with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Grazze working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grazze looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Hathaway is avoiding damage well.
Hathaway can't do much from the bottom here.
Grazze controls the position from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hathaway dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hathaway is looking to slow Grazze down with leg kicks.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Grazze.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hathaway.
Hathaway turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Hathaway gets caught flat footed, as Grazze shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Grazze working some strikes from top position.
Hathaway keeping moving, preventing Grazze from controlling successfully.
Grazze controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Grazze wants to pass the guard but Hathaway is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grazze wants to control from the top but Hathaway keeps moving.
Grazze's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joseph Grazze.
Hathaway misses with a few strikes there.
Hathaway lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hathaway fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grazze has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mike Hathaway is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hathaway scores with a three punch combo!
Grazze shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hathaway pinned against the cage. Hathaway gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Hathaway drives through and clinches with Grazze against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grazze jumps guard but Hathaway turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mike Hathaway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Grazze.
Grazze tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hathaway just stands there and leans against the cage.
Grazze is trying to pull guard but Hathaway has him pressed against the cage.
Grazze takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A short right from Hathaway.
Grazze tries to pull guard but Hathaway won't allow it.
Hathaway stalling in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hathaway lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Grazze tries to pull guard but Hathaway forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mike Hathaway is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grazze is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hathaway to keep the fight standing.
Joseph Grazze has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grazze tries to pull guard but Hathaway won't allow it.
Grazze tries to pull guard but Hathaway forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A short left from Hathaway.

Hathaway has picked Grazze up - he's going for a ride! Hathaway dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hathaway is controlling the pace.
Grazze wants to get back to his feet.
Hathaway not doing much here.
Hathaway prevents Grazze from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hathaway frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Joseph Grazze has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hathaway trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hathaway content just to control the position here.
Grazze wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hathaway wants to control the pace but Grazze is squirming around nicely.
Hathaway seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Grazze is holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Hathaway showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hathaway, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Hathaway!