PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Hardman (ranked 1226 p4p, 1769 weight class) and James River (ranked 96 p4p, 128 weight class). Bruce Hardman has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hardman
vs
River

186 cm
21
152
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
147
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bruce Hardman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, James River !
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardman needs to keep his hands up - River had a free shot at his head there.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Hardman's shoulder, as Hardman tries to avoid the shot.
James River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardman swings for the body but River moves out of range.
Hardman misses with an uppercut.
Hardman seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
River digs a good body shot into Hardman's ribs.
River misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
River lands with a nice body punch.
Good shot there by River .
River throws a shot from downtown. Hardman moves away and avoids it.
Hardman attempts a counter takedown but River avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River takes a swing at Hardman's ribcage but misses.
Hardman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hardman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hardman takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River tries to move into range but Hardman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
River lands with a good body shot.
River drops his hands momentarily and Hardman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A low kick from Hardman is predictable there
and Hardman takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River clobbers Hardman with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
River bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hardman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits River s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
River throws the left hand but Hardman avoids the punch easily.
Hardman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
River throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hardman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
River misses the shot to the body.
Hardman tries to counter with a takedown but River is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardman throws a big shot that misses.
Hardman falls off balance throwing a combination
and River counters with a nice uppercut.
River lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right from River .
River lands a body shot in the clinch.
River lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hardman can't break the clinch.

River manages to pull guard.

Hardman has gone for a leg lock! River slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hardman's guard.

River throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells River 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
River scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
River looking to sit in guard and control but Hardman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

River escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hardman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

River has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Hardman should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, River has tightened it up now! Hardman should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). James River !
Our winner, James River , made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.