PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Hardstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardstone comes to the cage accompanied by tempel of india. Rocco Hardstone has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hardstone
vs
Smith

190 cm
24
162 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

180 cm
26
160 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Determined

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Rocco Hardstone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Daniel Bishop and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hardstone looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Smith throws a series of strikes that have Hardstone backpedaling.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Hardstone is controlling the position.
Hardstone managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Hardstone managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Hardstone is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hardstone blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hardstone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hardstone.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardstone has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
Hardstone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardstone landing with the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hardstone trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hardstone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hardstone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hardstone advances position into side control!
Hardstone in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hardstone in side control lands a decent elbow.
Smith is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Smith is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Smith looks gassed!
Hardstone lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Smith down.
Hardstone advances to full mount.
Hardstone looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hardstone lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
Hardstone breaks from Smith's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hardstone working the ground and pound effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardstone working away from the top, dropping strikes.
A nice elbow there by Hardstone.
Hardstone lands with some strikes.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Hardstone smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hardstone lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hardstone lands a nice shot to the head.
Hardstone with the ground and pound from mount.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone landing strikes, looking to finish!
Smith is trying to escape the mount.
Hardstone lands a big shot there that rocks Smith but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hardstone lands a nice shot to the head.
Hardstone with shots to the head and body - Smith looks very uncomfortable down there.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Hardstone prevents Smith from getting the reversal.
Hardstone with shots to the head and body - Smith looks very uncomfortable down there.
Smith wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Hardstone putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hardstone lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hardstone really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hardstone landing strikes from the mount.
A nice elbow there by Hardstone.
Hardstone is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Smith holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hardstone tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smith tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hardstone lands with some strikes.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Smith is in all sorts of trouble here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith is bucking up trying to escape but Hardstone cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smith tries to reverse the position but Hardstone maintains control.
Smith is bucking up trying to escape but Hardstone cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smith is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Hardstone dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hardstone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hardstone takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hardstone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hardstone really felt that one!
Good leg kick by Smith there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hardstone misses with a few strikes there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Smith forces Hardstone back against the cage and clinches.
Smith crunches a lovely knee into Hardstone's ribcage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hardstone on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hardstone on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Smith throws a one two combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardstone moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Hardstone throws a combination that misses
and Smith counters with an outside leg kick.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hardstone lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hardstone if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hardstone has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Smith stands up and beckons Hardstone to his feet.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Hardstone.
Hardstone takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hardstone throws a combination that misses
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hardstone misses with a wild combination.
Smith keeps Hardstone at a distance using the push kick.
Smith wants to clinch up but Hardstone keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Hardstone does no damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hardstone will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hardstone goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Hardstone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith is trying to drag Hardstone to the mat but Hardstone just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hardstone.
Smith is trying to break free.
Smith trying to stall but Hardstone improves his position.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Hardstone has him pressed against the cage.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Hardstone has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hardstone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hardstone moves out of range of the body kick.
Hardstone misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith throws a wild body kick that Hardstone sees coming a mile off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Hardstone throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hardstone really felt that one!
Hardstone swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Hardstone didn't expect that.
Hardstone is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hardstone throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Smith gets to his feet - Hardstone follows without any prompting.
Hardstone throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Rocco Hardstone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardstone takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hardstone fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith throws a head kick that Hardstone semi-blocks.
Smith tries to clinch but Hardstone is having none of it.
Rocco Hardstone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith lands a high kick!
Hardstone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Hardstone on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Hardstone is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hardstone takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hardstone throws a combination that misses
and Smith counters with a nice body kick.
Smith plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hardstone tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Hardstone falls off balance throwing a combination

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hardstone's guard now.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hardstone is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardstone is working Smith over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hardstone postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hardstone.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hardstone looks to clinch
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hardstone is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Smith misses with a kick to the body.
Smith lands a head kick. Hardstone smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hardstone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hardstone misses with a double jab

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Hardstone is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smith pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hardstone.
A hook to the body from Smith.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hardstone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Smith drives through and clinches with Hardstone against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith crunches a lovely knee into Hardstone's ribcage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Hardstone.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hardstone tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hardstone manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hardstone with good strikes from the mount here!
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Hardstone smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Rocco Hardstone overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hardstone cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Smith bucks Hardstone off and manages to get back to his feet!
Hardstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Smith.
Hardstone throws a combination that misses

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hardstone won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smith decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Smith clinches up with Hardstone and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Hardstone has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocco Hardstone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hardstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hardstone.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardstone misses with the combination.
Smith throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hardstone throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hardstone misses with a combination
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Smith throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone swinging wilding here.
Hardstone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Smith. That's going to slow Hardstone down.
Smith tries to clinch but Hardstone is having none of it.
Smith throws a wild body kick that Hardstone sees coming a mile off.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hardstone misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hardstone's knee momentarily.
Hardstone takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hardstone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kenny Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardstone takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Smith lands the left hand.
Hardstone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hardstone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hardstone takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

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.
Hardstone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A combination from Hardstone does no damage.
Smith wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hardstone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardstone swinging wilding here.
Hardstone swinging wilding here.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Hardstone.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Hardstone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hardstone misses with a two punch combination.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hardstone!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardstone regains half guard.
Smith tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hardstone.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Smith!