PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tua Hohepa (ranked 4266 p4p, 4256 weight class) and Bakari Lawal (ranked 159 p4p, 162 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hohepa
vs
Lawal

178 cm
18
190
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tua Hohepa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bakari Lawal!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lawal enables Hohepa to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lawal manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Lawal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hohepa defends well.

Lawal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hohepa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lawal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hohepa postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hohepa is working Lawal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Lawal looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lawal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hohepa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hohepa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hohepa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hohepa drops back looking for a leg! Lawal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lawal manages to kick Hohepa off! Hohepa jumps back into Lawal's guard.
Lawal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Hohepa gets to his feet. Lawal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lawal misses with a head kick.
Lawal circles away from the clinch attempt.

Lawal tries to keep at a distance but Hohepa has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hohepa gets control of Lawal's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hohepa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Lawal trying to control but Hohepa is working from the bottom.
Lawal passes into half guard.

Hohepa has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lawal is on him like a limpet, forcing Hohepa back against the cage.
Lawal jumps guard but Hohepa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hohepa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lawal has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hohepa tries to pull guard but Lawal won't allow it.

Lawal manages to break the clinch.
Hohepa scores with a one two! Lawal had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawal is defended easily by Hohepa.
As Lawal tries to get set, Hohepa tries to push him back and clinch up but Lawal manages to avoid the attempt.
Hohepa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lawal as he jumps to the side.
Lawal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hohepa.
Lawal dives in for a single leg takedown but Hohepa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tua Hohepa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bakari Lawal.
Hohepa tries for a takedown but Lawal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hohepa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lawal.
Hohepa goes for a double leg but Lawal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lawal continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hohepa tries to land a knee to the head but Lawal blocks with his arms.
Hohepa jumps guard but Lawal stands there with Hohepa around his waist. Hohepa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lawal slowing the pace effectively.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lawal is trying to pull guard but Hohepa has him pressed against the cage.
Lawal is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hohepa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lawal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Lawal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawal tries a head kick but it misses.
Hohepa misses with a body kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hohepa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Some wild striking there from Lawal.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tua Hohepa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hohepa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 10:9
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 10:9
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tua Hohepa!