PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gray Hawkes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawkes comes to the cage accompanied by Not Gonna Die. The key to victory for Gray Hawkes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hawkes
vs
Nowak

200 cm
26
235 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

196 cm
19
253 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gray Hawkes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Jan Nowak!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hawkes instigates a clinch.

Hawkes decides to pull guard.
Nowak throwing strikes but missing.
Nowak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nowak looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nowak accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nowak working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Hawkes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nowak is controlling him.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Hawkes keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nowak slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nowak trying to control but Hawkes is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak closes the distance and clinches up with Hawkes, looking for a takedown. Nowak pushes Hawkes against the cage but Hawkes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hawkes is looking to counter with head kicks.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown but Nowak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nowak is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hawkes.
Hawkes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've been hearing reports that Hawkes has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A head kick misses from Hawkes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hawkes checks a leg kick.
Hawkes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nowak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nowak tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nowak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hawkes paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nowak moves into the clinch successfully.

Nowak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nowak fails with the takedown
and Hawkes counters with a one-two to the body.
Hawkes throws a sloppy head kick and Nowak moves out of range easily.
Nowak tries to clinch there but Hawkes circles away.
Nowak goes for a double leg but Hawkes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hawkes continues to drive forward.
Gray Hawkes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Nowak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawkes throws a right hand that Nowak ducks under and follows up with a left that Nowak also avoids with ease.
Nowak takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nowak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A head kick misses from Nowak.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown but Hawkes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nowak wants to clinch.
Hawkes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nowak darts in looking for a takedown but Hawkes gets double underhooks and turns Nowak into the cage.
Hawkes dives in and grabs Nowak's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nowak pushes down on Hawkes's head and hops out.
Hawkes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nowak fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hawkes avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown but Nowak shows good takedown defense.
Nowak raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Hawkes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hawkes sprawls well. Hawkes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nowak gets slowly back to his feet.
Nowak fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hawkes checks it well.
Nowak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hawkes pinned against the cage. Hawkes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hawkes tries to close the distance and clinch but Nowak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hawkes forces Nowak back against the cage and clinches.
Hawkes tries to break free but Nowak pushes him back against the cage.
Hawkes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nowak has him pressed against the cage.

Hawkes jumps into guard, dragging Nowak to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Hawkes keeps moving.
Nowak looking to pass the guard.
Hawkes wants to stand and escape but Nowak is having none of it.
Nowak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hawkes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nowak has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nowak looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nowak is fighting to break Hawkes's control of his arms but Hawkes is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Nowak wants to pass the guard but Hawkes is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Hawkes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A head kick by Nowak misses
and Hawkes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hawkes lands a two punch combo.

Nowak moves into the clinch.
Hawkes is trying to force a seperation but Nowak has the dominant position.
Nowak looking for a takedown.

Hawkes breaks the clinch.
Hawkes tries to clinch but Nowak moves out of range.
Hawkes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nowak throws a sloppy head kick and Hawkes moves out of range easily.
Hawkes misses with a takedown

and Nowak counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nowak misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Nowak trying to control the position but Hawkes is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nowak scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Hawkes prevents Nowak from moving into mount.
Hawkes struggling a bit here.

Nowak tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nowak has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hawkes is not content to let Nowak control the position.
Hawkes wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Nowak is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hawkes knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hawkes is being controlled here.

Nowak goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hawkes has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Nowak but great work by Hawkes.

Hawkes has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hawkes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hawkes misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hawkes was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hawkes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hawkes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gray Hawkes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hawkes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Nowak decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nowak is looking to take a break and control but Hawkes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nowak is looking to advance position but Hawkes won't allow it.
Hawkes misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nowak wants to pass to mount but Hawkes is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawkes wants to improve his position but Nowak is controlling well.
Nowak throwing shots but Hawkes is blocking nicely.
Nowak winds up and cracks Hawkes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hawkes tries to kick Nowak off but Nowak keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hawkes wants to control but Nowak is keeping busy.

Nowak looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hawkes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Nowak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nowak takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hawkes throws a head kick but Nowak moves out of range.
Nowak throws a head kick but Hawkes moves out of range.
Hawkes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gray Hawkes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nowak tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hawkes defends well and Nowak ends up having to push Hawkes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hawkes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nowak as he avoids it easily.
Hawkes moves in looking to clinch but Nowak pushes him off.
Hawkes wants to clinch up but Nowak keeps it at a distance.
Nowak looks to land a body kick but Hawkes moved away.
Hawkes throws a series of strikes that have Nowak backpedaling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawkes connects with a looping right hand.
Nowak shoots in but Hawkes avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Nowak closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hawkes to the mat! Hawkes manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Hawkes keeps moving.
Hawkes has his hands on Nowak's head, controlling the position.
Nowak trying to control but Hawkes is working from the bottom.
Hawkes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nowak passes Hawkes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Nowak seems to be working for a kimura but Hawkes defends the submission attempt.

That's two 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.
Hawkes is looking for a sweep. Nowak is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nowak is controlling the pace.
Hawkes tries to kick Nowak off in order to stand up. Nowak Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The ground and pound from Nowak seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Hawkes is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Nowak goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hawkes has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Nowak but great work by Hawkes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak gets back to half guard.
Nowak gets full guard.
Hawkes throws a big elbow that misses.

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

Hawkes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hawkes tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nowak slaps away a takedown attempt from Hawkes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nowak shoots in but no luck this time.
Gray Hawkes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Nowak.
Hawkes throws a leg kick but Nowak moved away.
Nowak darts in trying to clinch
enabling Hawkes to counter with a crisp jab.
Nowak shoots for a takedown but Hawkes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nowak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nowak tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nowak gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hawkes counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A left and a right from Hawkes both land. Nice combination.
Hawkes tries to clinch up

and Nowak counters with a takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gray Hawkes.
I think Hawkes 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gray Hawkes!
During a confident post fight interview, Gray Hawkes thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.