PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keijo Maki (ranked 879 p4p, 123 weight class) and Ladera Hawthorne (ranked 1259 p4p, 158 weight class). Hawthorne is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Beef Rap. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Maki
vs
Hawthorne

205 cm
20
247 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
270 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Maki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ladera Hawthorne!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maki misses with a punch on the inside.
Hawthorne throws a punch but it's blocked by Maki.
Maki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hawthorne tries a body shot but Maki blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Hawthorne fails to land.
Maki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hawthorne backwards.
Hawthorne tries a body shot but Maki blocks it.
Maki prevents a body shot from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hawthorne lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maki backwards.

It looks like Keijo Maki has been cut.
Hawthorne lands with a left to the head.
Hawthorne throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Maki swings wildly with an uppercut but Hawthorne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maki blocks an uppercut.
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!
Maki tries to work over Hawthorne's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hawthorne tries a body shot but Maki blocks it.
Hawthorne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hawthorne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maki lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawthorne softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Hawthorne softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Hawthorne misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maki tries to work over Hawthorne's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hawthorne throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Makis head.
Maki blocks an uppercut.
Hawthorne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hawthorne works on Maki's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice left hand lands by Maki.
Maki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hawthorne lands a body punch.
Maki is breathing heavily.
Hawthorne misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hawthorne throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne lands an uppercut.
Hawthorne lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maki backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hawthorne lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hawthorne.

Keijo Maki's cut is getting worse.
Hawthorne is leaning against Maki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hawthorne misses with the head strike.
Hawthorne scores with a shoulder strike.
Hawthorne digs a right hand underneath Maki's ribcage. Maki let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Maki is rocked!
Hawthorne throws a big uppercut that drops Maki! More strikes from Hawthorne and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Maki lies dazed against the ropes as Hawthorne celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ladera Hawthorne!
After winning the bout, Ladera Hawthorne thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.