PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Hawk (ranked 242 p4p, 989 weight class) and Hong Kong (ranked 40 p4p, 143 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hawk
vs
Kong

181 cm
23
169
13 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
176
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing
HELLBENT

HARDCORE Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ethan Hawk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hong Kong!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawk throws an overhand right that lands on Kong's shoulder, as Kong tries to avoid the shot.
Kong has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kong is looking to chop away at Hawk's legs.
Kong shoots in for a takedown but Hawk shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kong ducks under a wild hook from Hawk.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kong! But no joy.
Kong blocks a leg kick.
Kong is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Kong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hawk is trying to control the position but Kong postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hawk is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kong looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kong's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Hawk throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawk is keeping the position for now.
Kong is looking to work some ground and pound but Hawk has wrist control.
Kong wants to control from the top but Hawk keeps moving.
Kong tries to free his leg and advance position but Hawk is retaining full guard.

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.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawk is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hawk throws a head kick but Kong moves out of range.
Kong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawk misses with a body shot.
Hawk misses with a wild body shot.
A cross from Hawk lands.
Kong shoots in and drives through. Hawk sprawls well.
Kong fails with the takedown
and Hawk counters with a big head kick but Kong shrugs it off.
Ethan Hawk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hong Kong.
Kong gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A telegraphed right hand from Kong misses the target.
Hawk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong misses with a body shot.
Hawk catches Kong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hawk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hawk throws a hook to the side of Kong's head but Kong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hawk is looking to score with low kicks.
Kong with the counter takedown but Hawk avoids it easily.
Kong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hawk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hawk is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Kong is rocked!
Kong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hawk tries to avoid it but Kong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hawk to the ground. Hawk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kong throws a body punch but Hawk moves out of range.
Kong shoots in looking for a takedown. Hawk tries to sprawl out of it but Kong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hawk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hawk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kong somewhat.

Hawk gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kong preventing the sweep.
Hawk keeping moving, preventing Kong from controlling successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kong preventing the sweep.
Hawk working a defensive guard here.
Hawk is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kong finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Hawk misses its target.
Hawk blocks a jab.
Hawk misses with a low kick.
Kong blocks a jab.
Hawk avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hawk throws a body punch but Kong moves out of range.
Hawk throws a low kick but Kong avoids it.
Kong feints the counter takedown.
Kong misses the shot to the body.
Kong ducks under a wild hook from Hawk.
Hawk checks a low kick from Kong.

Hawk gets caught flat footed, as Kong shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hawk controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong postures up and lands a big shot to Hawk's brow.
Kong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kong wants to pass the guard but Hawk is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kong is pushing down on Hawk's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hawk is fighting to maintain full guard but Kong has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong is pressing down on Hawk's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hawk is holding on for now.
Kong thows a huge punch but Hawk dodges it nicely.
Kong trying to control from half guard but Hawk is working away.
Kong missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kong works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kong with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong with shots to the head and body - Hawk looks very uncomfortable down there.

Kong moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hawk has worked his arm free - good work by Hawk!
Sloppy strikes there by Kong.
Hawk struggling a bit here.
Hawk taking a bit of punishment here - Kong scoring with strikes.
Hong Kong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kong wants to control but Hawk is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hawk is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kong connects with a decent elbow.

Kong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kong fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kong content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kong trying to control the action but Hawk is working from the bottom.

Kong goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hawk rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kong's guard! Nice work there by Hawk!

Hawk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hawk tries to free his leg and advance position but Kong is retaining full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hong Kong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kong shoots for a double leg takedown but Hawk sprawls well. He's pushed Kong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Hawk misses the target.
Hawk throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kong stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hong Kong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hawk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kong lands a jab to the head.
Hawk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kong.
Hawk misses with a hook. Kong ducked under it nicely.
Kong with the counter takedown but Hawk avoids it easily.
Hawk throws a chopping leg kick but Kong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hawk throws out a loose jab but Kong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hawk throws a body kick that misses.
Kong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Kong closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hawk quickly recovers to half guard.

Kong is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hawk is just riding it out for now. Kong eventually gives up the hold.
Hawk is pressing down on Kong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kong tries to free his leg and advance position but Hawk is retaining full guard.
Kong trying to move into half guard but instead Hawk has managed to sweep!

Kong is trying to control the position but Hawk postures up.

Kong has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hawk can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hawk wants to pass the guard but Kong is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hawk passes Kong's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kong is trying to get back to full guard.
Kong is pressing down on Hawk's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hawk trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kong manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four 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.

Hawk looking for a guillotine here but Kong defends easily.
Hawk trying to keep a closed guard but Kong is proving a slippery customer.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kong looking to sit in guard and control but Hawk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ethan Hawk did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kong misses with a hook. Hawk ducked under it nicely.
Kong blocks the body kick.
Hawk digs a good hook to Kong's body.
Nice defenses there by Kong.
Kong throws out a leg kick but Hawk moves out of range and Kong only half commits.
Ethan Hawk is winning the standup battle so far.
Kong on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawk.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hawk checks a leg kick.
Hawk throws a shot from downtown. Kong moves away and avoids it.
Hawk lands with a slapping head kick.
Kong moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Kong misses.
Kong ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hawk missing with a left hand there. Kong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawk takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hawk misses the jab.
Kong blocks a head kick by Hawk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawk stuffs the takedown attempt from Kong. Kong gets slowly back to his feet.
Hawk throws a quick counter head kick but Kong was just out of range.
Hawk takes a swing at Kong's ribcage but misses.

Hawk gets caught flat footed, as Kong shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Hawk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kong is working Hawk over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kong wants to pass the guard but Hawk is keeping the position.
Hawk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hawk keeping moving, preventing Kong from controlling successfully.
Kong sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hawk's guard.
Kong trying to control the pace.
Kong not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk is looking for a sweep. Kong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kong trying to pass the guard but Hawk defending well.
Hawk moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hawk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kong.
Kong looking to pass the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kong attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kong lands with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong missing with a left hand there. Hawk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawk moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Kong misses the target.
Hawk scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body punch from Hawk.
Kong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hawk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Hawk misses the target.
Kong with the counter takedown but Hawk avoids it easily.
Kong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hawk at a distance.
Hawk swings for the body but Kong moves out of range.
Kong throws a leg kick but Hawk checks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kong shoots in and bounces Hawk off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kong throws a big elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Hong Kong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kong throws a leg kick but Hawk checks it.

Kong shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hawk manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kong throws a big right hand that misses.
Kong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawk is keeping the position for now.
Kong is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Hawk has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong trying to control but Hawk is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kong throwing strikes from guard but Hawk blocks nicely.
Kong sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hawk's guard.
Kong is keen to just control but Hawk is a slippery customer.

Kong trying to work for an americana but Hawk has managed to regain full guard.
Hawk controlling the position.
Ethan Hawk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kong advances to half guard.
Hawk is trying to get back to full guard.
Kong thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kong works his foot free and advances to mount.

Kong goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hawk is on top in guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk tries to free his leg and advance position but Kong is retaining full guard.
Hawk controlling from the top position.
Kong trying to keep a closed guard but Hawk is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Hawk looking to sit in guard and control but Kong gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kong pushing down on Hawk's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kong wants to pass the guard but Hawk is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kong is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hong Kong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kong 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Nard Betker scores the fight for Hong Kong!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Hong Kong!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Hong Kong!

Hong Kong wins by unanimous decision!
Hong Kong is the new welterweight champion!
Hong Kong bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.