PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Hackett (ranked 1546 p4p, 1859 weight class) and Anti Happy (ranked 149 p4p, 185 weight class). Hackett kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Foe Tha Love of Money. Happy is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bvana iz lagune & Mikri Maus - AntiHepi. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Hackett
vs
Happy

175 cm
28
147
11 - 8 - 1

172 cm
26
158
9 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Hackett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anti Happy!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hackett works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hackett takes a swing at Happy's ribcage but misses.
Happy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hackett defends it well.
Happy ducks under a wild hook from Hackett.
Hackett lunges at Happy with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Happy's hand.
Hackett fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Happy is out of range.
Hackett throws a combination that misses

and Happy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Happy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hackett swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hackett has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Happy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hackett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Happy looking to pass the guard.
Happy wants to control from the top but Hackett keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Happy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Happy working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Happy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Hackett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Happy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Happy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hackett controls Happy momentarily but Happy frees himself.
Happy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hackett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Happy defends well.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Happy working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Happy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Happy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Happy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Happy wants to control from the top but Hackett keeps moving.

Hackett looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hackett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Happy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hackett swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Happy trying to control but Hackett is working from the bottom.
Happy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hackett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Happy engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Happy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Happy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Happy on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hackett. Hackett obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hackett throws a looping overhand right but Happy ducks down to avoid it.
Happy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Jab from Hackett.
Happy fails with a takedown attempt.

Happy closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hackett to the mat! Hackett manages to get full guard.
Happy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hackett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hackett is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hackett is trying to keep Happy in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Hackett will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Happy shoots in and drives through. Hackett sprawls well.
Hackett misses with a right hand

and Happy counters with a shoot takedown. Hackett fights it but they end up in guard.

Hackett is looking for a triangle but Happy pushes his legs off easily.
Happy wants to control from the top but Hackett keeps moving.
Hackett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Happy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Happy pushes down on Hackett's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Happy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hackett wants to control but Happy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Happy scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Happy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hackett's head.

Hackett actively working from the bottom here.
Happy is keen to just control but Hackett is a slippery customer.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Happy connects with a nice short shot to Hackett's temple.
Hackett is looking for a sweep. Happy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hackett is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Happy is trying to control the action in half guard but Hackett is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Happy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Happy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hackett trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Happy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hackett jabs Happy right on the nose. Happy blinks but takes it well.
Hackett connects with a looping right hand.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Happy checks a leg kick.
Hackett misses with a straight right.
Happy feints the counter takedown.
Anti Happy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Happy looking to score a takedown here. Hackett is defending well but Happy drives through and ends up in Hackett's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Happy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hackett swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hackett keeping moving, preventing Happy from controlling successfully.
Anti Happy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Happy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hackett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Happy throws a big right hand that misses.
Happy trying to control but Hackett is working from the bottom.

Hackett is looking for a triangle but Happy pushes his legs off easily.
Hackett controlling Happy's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hackett has his foot on Happy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Happy works his way back into a safe position though.
Happy 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.
Happy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Happy wants to pass the guard but Hackett is keeping the position.
Happy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anti Happy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hackett throws out a loose jab but Happy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Happy fails with the takedown.
Hackett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hackett throws a good cross that connects.
Hackett sizes up Happy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hackett lands with a hook. Happy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hackett misses with a looping left.
Hackett misses with a hook. Happy ducked under it nicely.
Hackett is looking to chop away at Happy's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hackett looks to throw the jab but Happy is out of range.
A clash of legs there as Happy blocks the low kick.
And Happy tries to counter it with a takedown but Hackett pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hackett lands a nice leg kick that just misses Happy's sensitive parts.
Happy takes one on the button.

Happy gets a double leg takedown into Hackett's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hackett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Happy throws a big elbow that misses.
Happy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Happy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hackett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Happy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hackett isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Happy stacks Hackett on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Happy!
Hackett holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
You can see the frustration on Hackett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Happy wants to control but Hackett is keeping him busy.
Happy working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Happy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hackett rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Happy's guard! Nice work there by Hackett!

Happy has his foot on Hackett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hackett works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Happy is looking for a triangle but Hackett pushes his legs off easily.
Happy trying to control the position.

Happy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hackett is pushing down on Happy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Happy is fighting to maintain full guard but Hackett has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hackett with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Happy trying to hold on to Hackett's head to control him but Hackett postures up.
Well, if Hackett 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.
Happy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hackett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hackett's back!
Hackett trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Happy scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Hackett is looking for a way out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Happy tries to keep control of the position but Hackett is staying busy.
Hackett trying to control the hands but Happy won't let him.

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 James Hackett.
I think Hackett 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... James Hackett!
An out of breath James Hackett thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.