PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Shelby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Hawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shelby comes to the cage accompanied by Red Right Hand. Tommy Shelby has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shelby
vs
Hawkins

175 cm
24
156 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tommy Shelby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sammy Hawkins!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shelby misses with a two punch combination.
Shelby looks to land a combination. Hawkins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Hawkins drives through and clinches with Shelby against the cage.
Shelby is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hawkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hawkins slowing the pace effectively.
Shelby on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hawkins stalling the fight.
Hawkins creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shelby avoids the elbow strike from Hawkins, against the cage.
Hawkins tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shelby avoids it.
Hawkins lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hawkins leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hawkins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Shelby avoiding damage as Hawkins throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins lands an elbow that stopped Shelby in his tracks for a moment.
Shelby avoids the elbow strike from Hawkins, against the cage.
Hawkins throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shelby jumps guard but Hawkins stands there with Shelby around his waist. Shelby gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Shelby pulls guard effortlessly.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Shelby wants to sweep here but Hawkins controlling him for the moment.
Hawkins wanted to stand there but Shelby had control of the position.
Shelby looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins stopping the sweep attempt from Shelby.

Shelby is working an open guard so Hawkins takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A combination from Shelby does no damage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shelby looks to land a combination but Hawkins avoids it well.

Shelby gets tackled into the cage by Hawkins. Hawkins maintains the clinch.
Shelby avoiding damage as Hawkins throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby taking a breather.
Shelby wants to stall.
Shelby tries to pull guard but Hawkins won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby managing to block the knees to the body from Hawkins.
Hawkins throws an elbow that misses.
Shelby on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hawkins blocks an uppercut.
Hawkins lands a nice elbow.
Hawkins taking a breather.

Shelby lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Hawkins makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hawkins moves away.
Shelby sets himself, and Hawkins steps forward looking for the clinch! Shelby avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hawkins moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shelby looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hawkins tries a head kick but it misses.
Sammy Hawkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Shelby tries to keep at a distance but Hawkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Hawkins.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
Shelby avoids the elbow strike from Hawkins, against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hawkins as Shelby tries to tie him up.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
Shelby wants to break free but Hawkins has control.
Hawkins working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hawkins as Shelby tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Hawkins dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hawkins instigates a clinch.
Hawkins controlling the action here for a moment.
Shelby just leaning against Hawkins, taking a breather.
Hawkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shelby takes an elbow to the temple.
Hawkins misses with some punches.
Hawkins is stalling here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
Shelby is trying to pull guard but Hawkins has him pressed against the cage.
Shelby has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hawkins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hawkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hawkins leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hawkins smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby looks for a takedown but Hawkins sprawls well.
Shelby throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Hawkins moves into the clinch successfully.
Shelby takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Tommy Shelby has been cut.
Hawkins will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Shelby up against the cage.
Shelby is looking to break free of the clinch but Hawkins has double underhooks.
Shelby avoids a wild elbow strike from Hawkins.
Hawkins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shelby.
Hawkins lands an elbow that stopped Shelby in his tracks for a moment.
Hawkins stalling.
Shelby tries to pull guard but Hawkins holds him up against the cage and eventually Shelby drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby trying to control the position but instead, Hawkins has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shelby into the cage.
Shelby wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hawkins leaning against his opponent.
Shelby stalls.
Shelby managing to block the knees to the body from Hawkins.
Hawkins misses with a punch on the inside.
Hawkins misses with an elbow over the top.
Hawkins lands an elbow that stopped Shelby in his tracks for a moment.
Hawkins has Shelby pushed against the cage.
Hawkins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shelby's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Hawkins.
Hawkins is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shelby avoids a wild elbow strike from Hawkins.
Hawkins's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Shelby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shelby managing to block the knees to the body from Hawkins.
Shelby blocks an uppercut.
Hawkins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shelby's defenses.
Hawkins creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hawkins missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shelby's defenses.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Shelby wants to get back to striking at distance but Hawkins won't allow it.
Hawkins misses with a punch on the inside.
Sammy Hawkins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shelby tries to pull guard but Hawkins holds him up against the cage and eventually Shelby drops back down to his feet.
Shelby blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hawkins controlling the action here for a moment.
Hawkins throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Hawkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tommy Shelby's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shelby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hawkins.
Shelby throws a right hand that Hawkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Hawkins also avoids with ease.

Hawkins forces Shelby back against the cage and clinches.
Shelby wants a takedown.
Hawkins content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Come on Hawkins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hawkins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shelby.
Shelby can't break the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shelby goes for a takedown attempt but Hawkins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tommy Shelby is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hawkins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shelby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hawkins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawkins looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hawkins stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shelby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hawkins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hawkins lands a good knee to the midsection. Shelby won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hawkins lands an elbow just above Shelby 's eye.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
Hawkins lands an elbow inside that Shelby shrugs off.
Hawkins just leaning against Shelby, taking a breather.
Hawkins trying to land knees to the body.
Hawkins stalls.
Hawkins stalling against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hawkins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shelby wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hawkins has him pressed against the cage.
Hawkins has Shelby pressed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sammy Hawkins.

Hawkins drives through and clinches with Shelby against the cage.
Hawkins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hawkins avoiding damage.
Shelby using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hawkins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shelby on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hawkins looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby takes an elbow to the temple.
Shelby dodges an elbow strike from Hawkins.
Shelby tries to circle away but Hawkins has him pinned against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hawkins as Shelby tries to tie him up.
Hawkins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hawkins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shelby.
Shelby dodges an elbow strike from Hawkins.
Hawkins lands a damaging elbow.

Tommy Shelby's cut is getting worse.
Shelby on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shelby takes an elbow to the temple.
Shelby tries to pull guard but Hawkins holds him up against the cage and eventually Shelby drops back down to his feet.
Tommy Shelby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shelby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hawkins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shelby's defenses.
Hawkins lands an elbow that stopped Shelby in his tracks for a moment.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hawkins has Shelby pressed against the cage.
Hawkins continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hawkins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shelby is defending well for now.
Come on Hawkins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Shelby tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sammy Hawkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hawkins winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 25:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sammy Hawkins!