PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gray Hawkes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawkes's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Not Gonna Die. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hawkes
vs
Smith

200 cm
25
235 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gray Hawkes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Smith!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawkes throws a solid leg kick but Smith takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hawkes.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hawkes sprawls well. Hawkes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.

Smith has managed to clinch.

Smith jumps guard.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Hawkes pushes his legs off easily.
Smith throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hawkes is stalling in the full guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Hawkes from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkes stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to bench press Hawkes off him but Hawkes keeps the position.
Hawkes throws a strike aimed at the side of Smith's head but Smith avoids it well.

Smith bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Hawkes dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hawkes goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Hawkes pushes him off.
Hawkes goes for a double leg but Smith avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Smith continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gray Hawkes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hawkes.
Smith has Hawkes pressed against the cage, preventing Hawkes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hawkes tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith jumps into guard, dragging Hawkes to the mat.
Smith wants to stand up but Hawkes is controlling him.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Hawkes from controlling successfully.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Hawkes pushes his legs off easily.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hawkes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Smith is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Smith has escaped and now he's on top!

Hawkes keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Hawkes looking for a sweep. Not yet Hawkes, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hawkes is proving hard to escape from.
Hawkes doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hawkes keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.

Hawkes rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hawkes can't break the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hawkes wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hawkes tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Smith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hawkes tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hawkes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hawkes throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Hawkes has a takedown stuffed.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hawkes.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hawkes gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gray Hawkes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hawkes was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkes keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hawkes looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Smith has picked Hawkes up and slammed him! Hawkes can't keep hold of the triangle and Smith manages to pass to side control!

Smith stands up.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hawkes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith is struggling to control the position.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hawkes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hawkes is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hawkes down to the mat. Hawkes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Hawkes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith lands a slapping body shot.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hawkes is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Hawkes circles away and we're back to standing.
Hawkes fails to land the takedown.
Hawkes takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
A jab from Hawkes does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Hawkes throws a sloppy head kick

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hawkes as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hawkes to keep the fight standing.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hawkes tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Hawkes circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hawkes counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hawkes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hawkes pinned against the cage. Hawkes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Hawkes. No joy for Smith on that attempt.

Hawkes moves into the clinch.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hawkes tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hawkes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hawkes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hawkes.
Hawkes is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith is looking to clinch but Hawkes is avoiding it.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Hawkes tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hawkes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hawkes throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Hawkes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hawkes.
Smith tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hawkes defends well and Smith ends up having to push Hawkes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hawkes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gray Hawkes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hawkes smiles and moves away.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawkes as he jumps to the side.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but Hawkes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Hawkes clinches up against the cage.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hawkes is keeping busy.
Smith tries to pull guard but Hawkes holds him up against the cage and eventually Smith drops back down to his feet.
Aaron Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Hawkes breaks from the clinch.
Smith drops his hands momentarily and Hawkes takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gray Hawkes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawkes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hawkes shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Hawkes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hawkes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hawkes as he avoids it easily.
Hawkes looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Hawkes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hawkes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hawkes is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Hawkes lands a body shot.
No joy there for Hawkes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawkes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Smith backs up against the cage.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Hawkes tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hawkes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Hawkes rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries a body shot but Hawkes blocks it.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith fails to pull guard.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Hawkes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Hawkes moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Hawkes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith fails to pull guard.
Hawkes tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hawkes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Smith jumps guard and drags Hawkes to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hawkes is aware though and is defending well.
Hawkes controls from within his opponent's guard.

Hawkes stands up and waves to Smith to follow him.

Hawkes moves into range and clinches up with Smith.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gray Hawkes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aaron Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawkes as he jumps to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Hawkes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith 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 John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Smith!
In defeat, Gray Hawkes stepped up to the mic, saying 'Should have trained better.'.