PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garland Houston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Hooker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garland Houston has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Houston
vs
Hooker

201 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
181 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Garland Houston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Hooker!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hooker throws a sloppy head kick
and Houston counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Houston throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hooker's waist but Hooker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Houston off to one side.

Hooker darts in and clinches Houston up against the cage.
Houston taking a breather.

Houston breaks the clinch.

Houston drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hooker is pushing Houston's head away, looking to escape. Houston manages to hold on to the position though.
Houston working the strikes but Hooker uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Houston trying to control from Hooker's half guard. Hooker has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Houston throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Houston wants to control from the top but Hooker keeps moving.
Houston throwing strikes from guard but Hooker blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Houston's guard.

Houston really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hooker stands and steps away. Houston gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Hooker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hooker tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Houston lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Houston not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Houston thows a huge punch but Hooker dodges it nicely.
Hooker controlling the position well.
Houston sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hooker defending well though.
Houston missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hooker looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hooker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Houston is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Hooker manages to get to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hooker holds on and takes a little breather.
Houston wants to stand and escape but instead Hooker has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Houston is pulling down on Hooker's head. It's preventing any offense from Hooker, at least for the moment.
Houston's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hooker is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston working a defensive guard here.
Hooker slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Houston is trying to control the position but Hooker postures up.
Houston pulls Hooker in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hooker displaying some good clinch control by pressing Houston up against the cage.
Houston wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hooker has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Houston fails to land.
Hooker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Houston is breathing heavily.
Hooker pushes Houston back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Houston is looking for a takedown.
Houston wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hooker lands a knee to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Houston takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Garland Houston has been cut.
Hooker is working Houston over against the cage.
Hooker lands a nice knee to the body.
Hooker lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hooker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Garland Houston's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hooker clinches up against the cage.

Hooker manages to pull guard.
Houston lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Houston throwing strikes from guard but Hooker blocks nicely.

Hooker kicks Houston off and gets to his feet.

Hooker has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hooker successfully pulls guard.
Houston trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hooker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hooker is pulling down on Houston's head. It's preventing any offense from Houston, at least for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hooker kicks Houston off and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Houston gets tackled into the cage by Hooker. Hooker maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hooker obliges.
Houston tries to break free but Hooker pushes him back against the cage.
Houston wants to stall.
Hooker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Houston takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hooker using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Hooker jumps guard and drags Houston to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hooker pulls Houston in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hooker scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hooker throws a right and a left that both miss.

Hooker has managed to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hooker breaks from the clinch.
Hooker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hooker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Hooker instigates a clinch.

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

Hooker has Houston up against the cage in a clinch.

Houston manages to break the clinch.
Houston darts in looking for a takedown but Hooker gets double underhooks and turns Houston into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hooker forces Houston back against the cage and clinches.
Hooker lands a knee to the head.
Hooker works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hooker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Houston jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hooker walks away with a smile on his face. Houston gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Hooker closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Houston's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hooker landing knees to the head.

Hooker pulls guard successfully.

Hooker has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Houston off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Hooker rushes Houston and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hooker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Houston avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston tries to break the clinch but Hooker is controlling the position.
Hooker fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hooker prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garland Houston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Houston's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hooker lands a nice elbow.

Hooker manages to pull guard.
Hooker managing to control the position.
Houston throws a big right hand that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hooker holds on and takes a little breather.
Houston missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hooker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Garland Houston's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Hooker. No joy for Houston on that attempt.
Hooker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Houston as he avoids it easily.
Houston has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Houston there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hooker motions for Houston to come forward. Hooker throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Hooker closes the distance and clinches.
Hooker tries to pull guard but Houston holds him up against the cage and eventually Hooker drops back down to his feet.
Houston wants a takedown but no success here.

Hooker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooker tries for a takedown but Houston circles away easily
and Houston makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Garland Houston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Hooker.
Houston has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hooker.
Hooker with a lazy takedown attempt
and Houston counters with a one-two to the body.
Hooker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hooker moves into the clinch.
Hooker looking to throw knees to the head but Houston is blocking nicely.
Houston has Hooker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hooker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hooker tries to pull guard but Houston won't allow it.
Hooker is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Houston working hard to break the clinch.
Joe Hooker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hooker is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Houston to keep the fight standing.
Houston lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Hooker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hooker doesn't manage to clinch there - Houston circles away.
Houston shoots for a double leg takedown but Hooker sprawls well. He's pushed Houston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hooker is looking to clinch but Houston is avoiding it.
Houston shoots in looking for a takedown but Hooker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Houston's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston wants to clinch.

Hooker gets tackled into the cage by Houston. Houston maintains the clinch.
Hooker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Houston takes an elbow to the temple.

Hooker decides to pull guard.
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!
Houston throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hooker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hooker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Joe Hooker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Houston loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Houston has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Houston working some strikes from top position.
Hooker is pulling down on Houston's head. It's preventing any offense from Houston, at least for the moment.
Houston throws an elbow that misses. Hooker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Houston's guard. Nice move by Hooker!

Joe Hooker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Houston working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hooker controlling from the top position.
Hooker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Houston controls Hooker momentarily but Hooker frees himself.

Hooker decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hooker throws a nice looking combination but Houston bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hooker shoots in for a double leg but Houston sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hooker rushes Houston and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Houston tries to break the clinch but Hooker is controlling the position.
Hooker is looking for a takedown.
Garland Houston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice right hand lands inside from Houston.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Hooker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hooker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 26:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Hooker!