PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kauko Johan Talo (ranked 6147 p4p, 2030 weight class) and Damien Hawthorne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawthorne has chosen Schism by Tool as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Talo
vs
Hawthorne

202 cm
30
250
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
39
249
34 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kauko Johan Talo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Damien Hawthorne!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawthorne throws a big shot that misses.
Talo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Damien Hawthorne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawthorne throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hawthorne lands an overhand right.
Talo moves away from the strike by Hawthorne.
Talo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
It seemed like Hawthorne was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hawthorne misses with a straight left.
It looked like Talo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Talo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Talo throws a jab but it's blocked by Hawthorne.
Hawthorne connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Talo slips a straight right by Hawthorne.
Talo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hawthorne defending well as Talo loads up on a big left hand.
Hawthorne scores with the left hand. Talo knows he should have avoided that one.
Hawthorne throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hawthorne moves out of range of the leg kick from Talo.
Talo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hawthorne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Hawthorne slams his shin into Talo's torso.
Hawthorne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Talo.

Talo darts in and clinches Hawthorne up against the cage.
Hawthorne is trying to break the clinch but Talo has him pressed against the cage.
Hawthorne tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Talo's elbow.
We've been informed that Hawthorne has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Talo stalling.
Talo tries to land knees in the clinch but Hawthorne avoids the damage to the body.
Talo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Talo tries to work over Hawthorne's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hawthorne misses with the head strike.
Talo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Talo lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Talo pulls Hawthorne into guard.
Hawthorne tries to free his leg and advance position but Talo is retaining full guard.
Hawthorne passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hawthorne really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Talo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Talo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hawthorne's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne controlling the action here.

Hawthorne decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Hawthorne blocks a leg kick.
Good shot there by Hawthorne.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawthorne is looking to land body kicks.
Hawthorne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Talo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hawthorne.
Talo connects with the punch.
Talo tries to close the distance and clinch but Hawthorne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hawthorne misses with a right hand
and Talo counters with a stiff right hand.
Talo slips a jab from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne throws a lazy right hand but Talo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne just misses with a punch to the body.
Hawthorne misses with a looping right.
Hawthorne lands a body shot.
Hawthorne misses with an uppercut.
Talo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hawthorne moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hawthorne throws the left hand but Talo avoids the punch easily.
Hawthorne connects with an inside leg kick.
Hawthorne misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hawthorne with a hook.
Hawthorne thuds his right hand into Talo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Talo ducks under a wild hook from Hawthorne.
Nice uppercut lands for Hawthorne. That snapped Talo's head back.
Hawthorne pushes Talo away with a front kick.
Hawthorne throws a hook but Talo blocks it.
Talo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Talo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Talo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hawthorne sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hawthorne misses with a hook.
Talo seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hawthorne misses with an uppercut. Talo saw that one coming.
Hawthorne lands a jab to Talo's midsection.
Hawthorne misses with a right hand
and Talo counters with a stiff right hand.
Hawthorne missing with a left hand there. Talo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawthorne fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Talo looks to land a left hand but Hawthorne moved out of range nicely.
Hawthorne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawthorne misses with a hook
and Talo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hawthorne throws a poor cross that misses
letting Talo counter with a right hand.
Hawthorne misses with a kick to the body.
Hawthorne lands a really nice looking cross but Talo seems unphased.
Hawthorne lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Hawthorne dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Talo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hawthorne walks into a straight right hand from Talo.
Hawthorne scores with a kick to the body.
Talo moves out of range of the body kick from Hawthorne.
That kick from Hawthorne tenderised Talo's leg. Talo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Talo blocks a leg kick.
Hawthorne connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Talo's hands.
Talo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Talo tries to move into range but Hawthorne moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawthorne goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Talo seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hawthorne comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hawthorne changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Talo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hawthorne rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Talo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawthorne looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hawthorne lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hawthorne jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Talo blocks a jab.
Talo throwing a counter right hand but Hawthorne manages to avoid it.
Hawthorne looks to land a body kick but Talo moved away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hawthorne.
Talo throws a hook but Hawthorne blocks it.
Hawthorne keeps the fight on the outside.
Hawthorne lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fighters circling - Talo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hawthorne slips a jab and a cross from Talo.
A jab from Hawthorne misses.
As Hawthorne tries to get set, Talo tries to push him back and clinch up but Hawthorne manages to avoid the attempt.
Hawthorne misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Talo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawthorne.
Jab from Hawthorne.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawthorne sees it coming and avoids it easily.
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!
Hawthorne throws a good cross that connects.
Hawthorne smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hawthorne throws a series of punches but Talo avoids them all with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Talo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Talo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hawthorne misses with a kick to the body.
Talo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hawthorne.
Talo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hawthorne connects with a jab.
Hawthorne scores with a nice strike.
Talo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hawthorne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Talo.
Hawthorne blocks a head kick by Talo.
Hawthorne missing with a left hand there. Talo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne looks to land a right hand but Talo moved out of range.
Talo slips under a jab from Hawthorne.
Talo has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Talo misses with a double jab.
Hawthorne misses with a body kick.
Hawthorne lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hawthorne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hawthorne throws a jab when Talo was well out of range.
Talo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hawthorne connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Talo scrambles back to his feet.
Hawthorne thuds his right hand into Talo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hawthorne throws a low kick but it's checked well by Talo.
Talo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Talo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hawthorne throws a sloppy body shot

and Talo counters by moving into the clinch.
Talo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Talo is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talo lands a left hand.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hawthorne has a couple of punches blocked by Talo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Talo avoiding damage.
Talo wants to stall.
Talo tries to land a knee to the head but Hawthorne blocks with his arms.
Hawthorne lands a nice uppercut.
Hawthorne misses with some punches.
Talo trying to stall but Hawthorne improves his position.
Talo trying to control the position but instead, Hawthorne has worked for underhooks and has pushed Talo into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kauko Johan Talo.
Talo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Talo wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Talo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hawthorne is looking to slow Talo down with leg kicks.
Hawthorne throws a lazy right hand but Talo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Talo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Hawthorne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Talo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hawthorne.
Hawthorne fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kauko Johan Talo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hawthorne's corner calls for a 1-2. Hawthorne obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Talo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Hawthorne.
Talo wants to clinch up but Hawthorne keeps it at a distance.
Hawthorne connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Talo momentarily.
Talo defending well as Hawthorne loads up on a big left hand.
Hawthorne changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hawthorne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Talo.
Hawthorne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Talo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Talo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Talo throwing a counter right hand but Hawthorne manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Talo.
Hawthorne connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawthorne connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Talo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Talo looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Hawthorne jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Talo wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hawthorne smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Talo walks into a jab.
Talo misses with a double jab.
Talo moves in looking to clinch but Hawthorne pushes him off.
Talo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hawthorne lands a head shot.
Hawthorne throws a head kick that Talo semi-blocks.

Talo is rocked!
Hawthorne misses with a wild body shot.
Oh Talo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hawthorne scores with a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hawthorne throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Talo seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Talo walks into a stiff left hand from Hawthorne.
Hawthorne misses with a straight right.
Talo misses with a low kick.
Talo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Talo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hawthorne looks to land a body kick but Talo moved away.
Talo misses with a lunging right hand
and Hawthorne counters with a stiff right hand.
Hawthorne throws a series of punches but Talo avoids them all with ease.
A big right from Hawthorne misses.
Hawthorne misses with an uppercut.
Damien Hawthorne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hawthorne throws a nice looking combination but Talo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Talo throwing a counter right hand but Hawthorne manages to avoid it.
A lazy left from Talo finds it's target.
Hawthorne works Talo's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne feints and then cracks Talo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Talo down.
Hawthorne scores with a hook.
Hawthorne scores with a shot to the body.
Hawthorne listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Talo moves out of range of the body kick from Hawthorne.
Talo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hawthorne counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hawthorne drops Talo with a beautiful combination! Talo stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hawthorne is looking for the KO!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawthorne swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hawthorne throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Jab from Talo.
Talo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A slow jab from Hawthorne misses its intended target.
Hawthorne connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hawthorne is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Hawthorne coming out on top.
Hawthorne cracks Talo with a hook to the temple - Talo is on wobbly legs here! Hawthorne swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Talo falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Hawthorne wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Damien Hawthorne!
Our winner, Damien Hawthorne, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.