PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darren Woodley (ranked 1791 p4p, 5375 weight class) and Bert Hardman (ranked 219 p4p, 508 weight class). Woodley's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Scorpions - Winds Of Change. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Woodley
vs
Hardman

180 cm
26
165
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
21
166
4 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darren Woodley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bert Hardman!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Woodley does it's job there.
Woodley jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Woodley looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Woodley punishes Hardman's body with a nice straight punch.
Woodley's corner calls for a 1-2. Woodley obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hardman swings for the body but Woodley moves out of range.
Woodley moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Woodley misses with a wild body shot.
Hardman fails to land the takedown.
Hardman misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardman defending well as Woodley loads up on a big left hand.
Nice takedown defense from Woodley. No joy for Hardman on that attempt.
Woodley throws a solid leg kick but Hardman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Woodley.
Hardman is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Woodley misses with a looping left.
Woodley is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hardman.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Woodley to the ground. Hardman is now in Woodley's guard.
Woodley wants to stand and escape but Hardman is having none of it.
Hardman chips away with some ground and pound.
Woodley is looking to stand up but Hardman isn't so interested in that idea.
Woodley managing to control the position.
Hardman is pushing down on Woodley's leg trying to pass to half guard. Woodley is fighting to maintain full guard but Hardman has managed to sneak the leg through.
Woodley wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodley wants to improve his position but Hardman is controlling well.
Hardman working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hardman wants to take a breather but Woodley is having none of it.
Woodley wants to get back to his feet.
Hardman trying to control from half guard but Woodley is working away.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hardman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Woodley walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Darren Woodley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardman slips a straight right by Woodley.
Woodley connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Woodley does no damage.
Hardman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Woodley throws an overhand right that lands on Hardman's shoulder, as Hardman tries to avoid the shot.
Hardman ducks under a wild hook from Woodley.
Woodley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Hardman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Woodley's guard.

Woodley has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hardman has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Woodley is trying to push Hardman away but Hardman has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hardman is working for takedown but Woodley is calmly controlling the position for now.
Darren Woodley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bert Hardman.

Hardman gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Woodley wants to control but Hardman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Woodley blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hardman.
Hardman has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at AdvancedX. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Hardman is looking to advance position but Woodley won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Woodley is pressing down on Hardman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Woodley on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Woodley tries to get out of the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Woodley pulls Hardman in close to his closed guard and prevents Hardman from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hardman wants to control from the top but Woodley keeps moving.
Hardman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hardman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hardman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hardman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Woodley scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Woodley dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Woodley throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hardman fails to land the takedown.
Woodley misses with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Woodley.
Woodley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardman.
Hardman shoots in for a double leg but Woodley sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hardman misses with a two punch combination.
Hardman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Darren Woodley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bert Hardman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardman dives in and scores a takedown into Woodley's guard.
Bert Hardman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Woodley is controlling Hardman's posture.
Woodley wants to get back to his feet but Hardman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Woodley tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Woodley has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hardman has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Woodley gets underhooks to prevent Hardman's takedown attempt.
Woodley is trying to break the clinch but Hardman is controlling him.
Woodley wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hardman has him pressed against the cage.
Hardman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Woodley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Darren Woodley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodley pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Woodley misses with a leg kick

and Hardman counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Woodley pushes Hardman off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hardman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Woodley's waist but Woodley gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hardman off to one side.
It looked like Woodley was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hardman.
Woodley throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Woodley defends it well.
Woodley throws a solid leg kick but Hardman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Woodley.
A cross from Woodley lands.
Woodley throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hardman tries to clinch there but Woodley circles away.
Woodley throws an overhand right that lands on Hardman's shoulder, as Hardman tries to avoid the shot.
Hardman with the counter takedown but Woodley avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodley lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hardman circles away quickly and effectively.
Hardman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Woodley can pounce on him.
Woodley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hardman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Woodley manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Woodley throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hardman walks into a stiff left hand from Woodley.
Hardman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Woodley as he avoids it easily.
Woodley lands with a nice body punch.
Woodley fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hardman.
Woodley misses with a wild body shot.
Hardman is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hardman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Woodley.
Woodley missing with a left hand there. Hardman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Woodley scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Woodley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Woodley wants it to stay on the feet.
Hardman walks into a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Woodley thows a leg kick but Hardman checks it

and Hardman counters with a takedown into side control.
Woodley is pushing Hardman's head away, looking to escape. Hardman manages to hold on to the position though.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Woodley avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Hardman.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Woodley is holding Hardman down, trying to stall.
Hardman taking a break here but Woodley is having none of it and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Woodley dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hardman tries for a takedown but Woodley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Woodley is looking to chop away at Hardman's legs.
And Hardman tries to counter it with a takedown but Woodley pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hardman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Woodley defends well and Hardman ends up having to push Woodley into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Woodley misses the target.

Hardman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Woodley has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Hardman is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Woodley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A low kick lands for Woodley.
Hardman on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Woodley connects with a looping right hand.
Woodley bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hardman's head backwards.
Hardman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Woodley as he avoids it easily.
Darren Woodley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bert Hardman.
Hardman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bert Hardman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Woodley is fending him off so far but Hardman persists. Nope, Woodley circles away and we're back to standing.
Woodley throws a body punch but Hardman moves out of range.
Hardman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Woodley swivels and escapes.
Hardman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Woodley defends it nicely.
Hardman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Woodley lands with a thumping leg kick.
A low kick from Woodley misses

and Hardman counters with a shoot takedown. Woodley fights it but they end up in guard.

Woodley manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Darren Woodley is winning the standup battle so far.
Woodley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bert Hardman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woodley misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardman checks a low kick from Woodley.
Woodley fakes the leg kick and cracks Hardman in the body.
Woodley throws a front kick aimed at Hardman's knee but Hardman avoids it well.
Woodley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardman.
Woodley with the inside leg kick.
Woodley scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hardman wants to clinch up but Woodley keeps it at a distance.
Hardman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardman fails with the takedown.
Sloppy strikes from Woodley. Those never looked like landing.
Woodley throws a lazy uppercut

and Hardman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman thows a huge punch but Woodley dodges it nicely.
Hardman lands strikes from half guard.
Hardman prevents Woodley from improving his position.

Hardman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hardman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Woodley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Woodley wants to get back to full guard.
Woodley regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Woodley is trying to keep Hardman in close.
Hardman distracts Woodley with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hardman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Woodley is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hardman is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardman lands an overhand right.
Woodley avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardman scores with a hook to the body. Woodley takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darren Woodley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Woodley, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Woodley!
Darren Woodley tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.