PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dave Hawthorne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DJ Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Hawthorne
vs
Shaw

170 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

160 cm
21
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dave Hawthorne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, DJ Shaw!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hawthorne has managed to clinch.
Hawthorne lands a shoulder strike.
Hawthorne throws an elbow that misses.
Hawthorne throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hawthorne.
Shaw blocks an elbow strike.
Shaw blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hawthorne avoids a wild elbow strike from Shaw.

Shaw has Hawthorne pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Shaw pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hawthorne tumbling to the mat - Shaw dives into Hawthorne's guard.
Shaw stops Hawthorne from standing up.
Shaw postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shaw controlling from the top position.
Shaw stops Hawthorne from standing up.
Shaw content to stall in guard here.

Shaw stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hawthorne gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hawthorne is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shaw is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hawthorne to the mat. Hawthorne regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shaw stays in close to Hawthorne's body and controls the position.

Shaw decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Hawthorne gets caught flat footed, as Shaw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shaw prevents Hawthorne from getting back to his feet.
Shaw is pushing down on Hawthorne's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hawthorne is fighting to maintain full guard but Shaw has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hawthorne is breathing heavily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shaw passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hawthorne!
Shaw sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hawthorne is trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shaw looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You get the feeling that Hawthorne really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Shaw controlling from the full mount.

Hawthorne bucks up and throws Shaw to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Shaw shoots in and bounces Hawthorne off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shaw is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Shaw prevents Hawthorne from getting back to his feet.
Shaw pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawthorne is keeping the position for now.
Shaw stops Hawthorne from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Hawthorne gets caught napping as Shaw dives in and scores a takedown. Hawthorne manages to retain guard.
Shaw won't allow Hawthorne to get back to his feet.
Shaw passes Hawthorne's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw stops Hawthorne from getting back to his feet.
Hawthorne on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shaw stops Hawthorne from getting back to his feet.
Shaw performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Shaw is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hawthorne doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shaw.
Shaw looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Shaw dominated that round.
That's time! Hawthorne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hawthorne tries to clinch up
and Shaw counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hawthorne is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shaw is defended easily by Hawthorne.

Shaw gets tackled into the cage by Hawthorne. Hawthorne maintains the clinch.

Shaw has Hawthorne pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Shaw pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hawthorne tumbling to the mat - Shaw dives into Hawthorne's guard.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet but Shaw is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hawthorne has his feet on Shaw's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hawthorne moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shaw takes a shot to the head.
Shaw throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hawthorne blocks it with crossed arms.
Shaw lands a nice uppercut.
Hawthorne lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hawthorne is trying to force a seperation but Shaw has the dominant position.

Hawthorne scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 wants to clinch up but Shaw keeps it at a distance.

Hawthorne moves into the clinch.
Hawthorne misses with some punches.

Shaw breaks the clinch.

Shaw takes the fight into the clinch.
Hawthorne misses with an elbow over the top.
Hawthorne stops a takedown attempt from Shaw.

Hawthorne drags the fight down to the ground.

Hawthorne pushes Shaw off and scrambles back to his feet.
Hawthorne stuffs the takedown.
Dave Hawthorne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Shaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hawthorne lands an elbow just above Shaw 's eye.
Hawthorne working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hawthorne gets control of Shaw's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hawthorne will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Shaw drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shaw jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hawthorne wants to stand and escape but Shaw is having none of it.
Shaw controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shaw must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet but Shaw is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hawthorne has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shaw off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hawthorne doesn't manage to clinch there - Shaw circles away.
Shaw appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hawthorne tries to clinch there but Shaw circles away.
Hawthorne tries to clinch but Shaw is having none of it.

Shaw scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Shaw is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shaw is trying to control. Hawthorne wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hawthorne is trying to stand back up but Shaw is controlling him

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hawthorne wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Hawthorne dominated that second round.
That's time! Hawthorne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hawthorne tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shaw swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Shaw closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hawthorne to the mat! Hawthorne manages to get full guard.
Shaw won't allow Hawthorne to get back to his feet.
Shaw controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hawthorne is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shaw is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet but Shaw passes into half guard.
Shaw wants to pass to mount but Hawthorne is defending the position.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaw stands up and beckons Hawthorne to join him on the feet.

Shaw shoots in and gets a takedown into Hawthorne's guard.
Shaw slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Shaw scoring with some ground and pound.
Hawthorne is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shaw is controlling him.
Shaw keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hawthorne's head.
Shaw is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hawthorne is wriggling around but Shaw manages to pass to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw lands strikes from half guard.
Hawthorne is trying to stand up here but Shaw is controlling him well.
Shaw drops an elbow to the side of Hawthorne's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shaw in particular looking to stall.
Hawthorne tries to kick Shaw off but Shaw keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shaw stalling.

Hawthorne has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Shaw is on him like a limpet, forcing Hawthorne back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hawthorne just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shaw's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw is trying to drag Hawthorne to the mat but Hawthorne just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hawthorne working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Shaw is trying to trip Hawthorne. He has hold of a leg but Hawthorne is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Shaw persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Shaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawthorne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shaw prevents Hawthorne from getting back to his feet.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Shaw manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawthorne wants to get back to his feet.
Shaw passes to full mount!
Shaw controlling the position easily from mount.
Hawthorne is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hawthorne trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Shaw working for a guillotine from mount but Hawthorne is in no mood to give up.

And that's the end of the fight!
DJ Shaw comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shaw 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DJ Shaw!