PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stevie Hitchcock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brown kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The catalyst- linkin park. Hitchcock is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Eye of the Tiger. Nathan Brown has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Brown
vs
Hitchcock

215 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

186 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathan Brown!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Stevie Hitchcock!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hitchcock fails in his attempt to clinch.
Brown chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hitchcock can pounce on him.
Hitchcock misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Brown seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hitchcock misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Brown has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hitchcock tries a body shot but Brown blocks it.
Brown really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice body punch from Hitchcock.
Brown tries to break the clinch but Hitchcock is controlling the position.
Hitchcock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hitchcock jumps guard but Brown stands there with Hitchcock around his waist. Hitchcock gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Hitchcock pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hitchcock moves into range and clinches up with Brown.
Brown is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitchcock landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Hitchcock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've been told by Brown's head coaches at Quick Fingers BEST BANG FOR BUCK Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Brown avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hitchcock scores with a head kick.
Hitchcock tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Brown manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Brown fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brown has closed the distance and engaged Hitchcock in a clinch.

Hitchcock works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Brown has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hitchcock has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

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

Hitchcock moves into the clinch.
Hitchcock told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Brown lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Brown wants to break free but Hitchcock has control.
Hitchcock keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Brown's efforts to push away.
Brown looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Brown blocks an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees in the clinch landing for Hitchcock.
Hitchcock utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Brown tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitchcock just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right from Hitchcock on the inside.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown leaves Hitchcock with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Brown. Those never looked like landing.
Hitchcock throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Brown's head.

Hitchcock drives through and clinches with Brown against the cage.
Hitchcock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brown tries to circle away but Hitchcock has him pinned against the cage.
Hitchcock fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nathan Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stevie Hitchcock.
Brown dodges an elbow strike from Hitchcock.
Hitchcock can't find room to land a body shot as Brown controls the action.
Hitchcock lands a knee to the body.
Hitchcock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hitchcock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Brown wants to break free but Hitchcock has control.
Brown is looking to break free of the clinch but Hitchcock has double underhooks.
Hitchcock is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Hitchcock breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown scores with a three punch combo!
Brown takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hitchcock takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hitchcock is looking to clinch but Brown is avoiding it.
Brown throws a series of punches but Hitchcock moves out of range.
Brown tries to land a front kick but Hitchcock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hitchcock plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hitchcock throws a head kick that half lands.

Brown is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hitchcock moves in looking to clinch but Brown pushes him off.
Hitchcock throws a head kick but Brown moves out of range.
As Hitchcock looks to move away, Brown throws a big counter combo but Hitchcock just gets out of the way.
Hitchcock looks winded!
Brown lands with a nice combination. Hitchcock backs away looking to recover.
Hitchcock tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Hitchcock.

Brown takes the fight into the clinch.
Hitchcock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitchcock using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hitchcock tries to land knees in the clinch but Brown avoids the damage to the body.
Brown tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hitchcock is trying to pull guard but Brown has him pressed against the cage.
Brown tries to break free but Hitchcock pushes him back against the cage.
Brown tries to break free but Hitchcock pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Brown tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitchcock just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hitchcock digs a right hand underneath Brown's ribcage. Brown let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Hitchcock.
Hitchcock stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hitchcock pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hitchcock fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brown avoids it really well and circles away.
Hitchcock lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Stevie Hitchcock seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Brown shoots in and drives through. Hitchcock sprawls well.
Nathan Brown is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hitchcock tries to close the distance and clinch but Brown swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hitchcock has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head kick misses from Hitchcock.

Brown has managed to clinch.

Hitchcock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brown displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Brown has managed to clinch.
Brown is trying to break the clinch but Hitchcock has him pressed against the cage.

Hitchcock manages to break the clinch.
Brown tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Hitchcock shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hitchcock was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Brown throws Hitchcock to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown cracks Hitchcock with a good jab.
Hitchcock misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Hitchcock instigates a clinch.
Brown is trying to break the clinch but Hitchcock is controlling him.

Hitchcock jumps into guard, dragging Brown to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hitchcock wants to stand and escape but Brown is having none of it.
Brown will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Brown won't allow Hitchcock to sweep him here.

Brown stands up and waves to Hitchcock to follow him.
Brown attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Brown works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hitchcock throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brown on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hitchcock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitchcock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Hitchcock closes the distance and clinches.

Hitchcock's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hitchcock throws a head kick that misses.
Hitchcock throws a nice looking combination but Brown bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hitchcock defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Brown.
Hitchcock misses with a double jab.
Brown lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hitchcock backs up against the cage.
Brown misses with a few strikes there.
Hitchcock keeps Brown at a distance using the push kick.
Brown works over Hitchcock's head and body with a nice combination.
Hitchcock tries to clinch but Brown moves out of range.
It looked like Brown was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brown is defended easily by Hitchcock.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nathan Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice combination there by Hitchcock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Brown or perhaps it was just good defense by Hitchcock, which made it look bad.
Hitchcock tries to clinch but Brown is having none of it.

Hitchcock moves into the clinch.

Hitchcock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hitchcock has Brown pressed against the cage.
Brown wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hitchcock's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brown misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hitchcock tries to clinch but Brown moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brown.
Brown leaves Hitchcock with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hitchcock on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hitchcock lands a head kick. Brown smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A combination from Hitchcock does no damage.
Brown looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hitchcock is fending him off so far but Brown persists. Nope, Hitchcock circles away and we're back to standing.
Hitchcock throws a head kick that Brown semi-blocks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brown blocks a head kick by Hitchcock.
Brown scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot by Hitchcock.
Hitchcock throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Brown.
Hitchcock tries to clinch but Brown moves out of range.
Brown half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hitchcock wants to clinch up but Brown keeps it at a distance.
As Hitchcock looks to move away, Brown throws a big counter combo but Hitchcock just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stevie Hitchcock showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hitchcock turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hitchcock throws a nice inside leg kick.

Brown tries to keep at a distance but Hitchcock has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hitchcock breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hitchcock's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Brown connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hitchcock scrambles back to his feet.
Hitchcock throws a sloppy head kick and Brown moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Brown, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Brown throws a head kick that misses.
Hitchcock tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Brown manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Brown keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitchcock takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd cheers as Brown lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hitchcock doesn't seem phased though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Brown stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brown wants it to stay on the feet.
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!

Brown moves into the clinch.
Brown avoiding damage as Hitchcock throws knees to the body.

Hitchcock has clasped his hands together around Brown's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Brown sneaks out the side door and pushes Hitchcock away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hitchcock gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hitchcock misses with a punch to the body.
Hitchcock stalling in the clinch but Brown improves position.
Hitchcock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Brown is trying to break the clinch but Hitchcock is controlling him.
Brown blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Brown manages to break the clinch.
Hitchcock tries to clinch up but Brown circles away and keeps his distance.
Hitchcock misses with a head kick.
Brown moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hitchcock tries a head kick but it misses.

Brown closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hitchcock quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hitchcock wants to get back to his feet.

Brown decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitchcock throws a sloppy head kick and Brown moves out of range easily.
Hitchcock gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Brown is trying to break free.
Brown takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hitchcock tries a body shot but Brown blocks it.
Brown wants to break free but Hitchcock has control.
Brown jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitchcock walks away with a smile on his face. Brown gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Hitchcock rushes Brown and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hitchcock landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Brown is working for takedown but Hitchcock is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Hitchcock.

Hitchcock pulls guard.
Hitchcock trying to keep a closed guard but Brown is proving a slippery customer.

Brown stands up from Hitchcock's guard - Brown perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hitchcock wants to clinch up but Brown keeps it at a distance.
Hitchcock is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Brown throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hitchcock's waist but Hitchcock gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brown off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nathan Brown. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitchcock tries a head kick but it misses.
Brown shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hitchcock pinned against the cage. Hitchcock gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hitchcock lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hitchcock.
Stevie Hitchcock is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitchcock misses with a head kick.
Hitchcock misses with a double jab.
Brown blocks a head kick by Hitchcock.
Brown's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Brown duly obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Brown lands a nice uppercut.
Brown is looking to break free of the clinch but Hitchcock has double underhooks.
Hitchcock has Brown pressed against the cage, preventing Brown from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Brown wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nathan Brown has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brown working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nathan Brown.
I think Hitchcock has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stevie Hitchcock!
After the fight, Stevie Hitchcock was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.