Doug Sparks vs. “Big” John Hawk

Yet another StrongStyle fighter takes the cage as “Big” John Hawk takes on Doug Sparks. Hawk is the current Heavyweight Champion in the NAAFS, but this fight is being contested at light heavyweight. As is their style, StrongStyle escorts their fighter en masse to the cage. Hawk is sporting lime green hair  and brings a 10-0-1 record to the cage to oppose Sparks, whose 13-2 record is nothing to sneeze at.

Doug Sparks is announced as Doug “Ants in the Pants” Sparks, to which Sparks smirks. Hawk looks to be all business despite his green hair.

Sparks digs for a takedown and puts Hawk against the cage. Sparks transitions to the backmount but is high, and Hawk is shaking him down. Sparks has his hips very far from Hawk and is looking for an arm. 

Sparks slips off of Hawk and falls to an open guard with Hawk on top. Hawk is trying to pass the guard and does so, moving to half guard. Sparks has his legs high on Hawk and could be looking for a triangle or armbar. Hawk is punching Sparks, but is not doing too much damage. Sparks looks for a leg and may have a kneebar.

Hawk slips out of the kneebar but goes to his belly, giving Sparks his back. Hawk twists out of backmount and falls on top of Sparks into Sparks’ guard. End of round 1. 10-9 Hawk in a close round.

Hawk is literally dripping sweat as round two starts. Could this be the effects of the humidity in this outdoor event? Hawk gets a takedown and appears to be working on passing Sparks’ guard, but is unable. Sparks is calmly defending strikes and preventing Hawk from advancing.

Hawk gets to Sparks’ half-guard and Sparks sweeps to go to the top in Hawk’s guard. Hawk is using a loose guard and looks for a kimura, but ultimately falls to his belly, yet again giving up backmount.

Sparks flattens Hawk out and begins throwing punches. Hawk works his way to a seated crab-ride position against the cage.  They scramble to their feet and Hawk drops Sparks with some dirty boxing, a combination of elbows and punches. The horn sounds. This round goes to Sparks in another close round. In my eyes, the fight is tied going into the third round.

After 10 minutes, this will come down to who wants the win more. Sparks shoots for a takedown and Hawk sprawls hard, almost finishing the fight in a guillotine. Both fighters are covered in sweat, so a submission at this point is very unlikely. Sparks goes to guard and is throwing up triangle attempts.

He has it tight, but they are just too slick with sweat after 12ish minutes. Sparks looking for kimura. Hawk’s corner wants him to let Sparks up and strike to end the fight. Sparks is working for a takedown but slips and goes to his back in a guard. Hawk stands.

Both fighters on their feet, looking exhausted. Sparks scores a takedown and moves to full mount. Hake rolls over, giving up back mount.  Sparks has Hawk flat and it slanding bombs. Sparks with a rear-naked choke and finishes the fight with less than 10 seconds remaining in the fight.

Doug Sparks is your winner by way of rear-naked choke.

Sparks sends a shout-out to two friends battling cancer and says they inspired him tonight. Best wishes to them.

In a lighter note, Sparks thanked the Noid from the Domino’s commercials. I never got too much inspiration to fight after those commercials, but different strokes for different folks, I guess.