PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Hardcore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and sol sunday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricky Hardcore had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 137.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Ricky Hardcore could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to sol sunday's chin.

Hardcore
vs
sunday

175 cm
20
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
21
135 lbs
4 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricky Hardcore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, sol sunday!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
sunday ducks under a wild hook from Hardcore.
sunday keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hardcore.

sunday shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. sunday showed some decent athleticism there.
sunday looks to land a strike but Hardcore avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
sunday in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hardcore keeping moving, preventing sunday from controlling successfully.
Hardcore preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hardcore is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst sunday is controlling him.
Hardcore keeping full guard, as sunday tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
sunday loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
sunday with a flurry of punches that miss.
sunday loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hardcore preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
sunday with a flurry of punches that miss.
sunday trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardcore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
sunday postures up in Hardcore's guard and throws a big left but Hardcore blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
sunday wants to pass the guard but Hardcore is keeping the position.
sunday working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

sunday drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hardcore manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now sunday has Hardcore in his guard.

sunday has an active guard here but Hardcore has managed to pass into half guard.

sunday is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hardcore pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardcore tries to stand but can't do so whilst sunday controls his leg.
sunday wants to improve his position but Hardcore is controlling well.
sunday trying to control but Hardcore postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hardcore prevents sunday from improving his position.
Hardcore knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for sunday on the ground.
sunday trying to control from the bottom.

sunday looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
sunday misses with some strikes from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but sol sunday will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hardcore slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
sunday staying out of range there.
Hardcore throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
sunday shoots in for a double leg but Hardcore sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ricky Hardcore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by sunday.
Hardcore checks the leg kick nicely there.
sunday misses with a takedown attempt - Hardcore sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hardcore throws a big shot that misses.
Hardcore throws a hook to the side of sunday's head but sunday sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for sunday with that takedown attempt.
Ricky Hardcore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of sol sunday.
Hardcore throws a big shot that misses.
Hardcore looks to throw the jab but sunday is out of range.
Hardcore throws a hook to the side of sunday's head but sunday sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcore misses with an uppercut. sunday saw that one coming.

sunday darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
sunday wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardcore keeps working.
Hardcore keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
sunday stalling.
sunday is trying to control. Hardcore wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

sunday is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
sunday working over Hardcore with some ground and pound. Hardcore looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
sunday trying to pass the guard but Hardcore defending well.
sunday wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardcore keeps working.

sunday is working for a kimura but Hardcore is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
sunday is pressing down on Hardcore's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hardcore is holding on for now.
Hardcore is trying to stand up here but sunday is controlling him well.

sunday is looking for a kimura here.

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.

sunday is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hardcore sees it coming and defends easily.
sunday is breathing heavily.
sunday wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardcore keeps working.
sunday works his foot free and advances to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
sunday controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

sol sunday showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardcore missing with a left hand there. sunday was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
sunday defending well as Hardcore loads up on a big left hand.
Hardcore misses the jab.
sunday fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardcore misses with a straight left.
Hardcore throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardcore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by sunday.
Hardcore is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
sunday defending well as Hardcore loads up on a big left hand.
sunday tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hardcore swats him away and circles back towards the center.
sunday staying out of range there.
Hardcore displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from sunday.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcore throws a good cross that connects.
Ricky Hardcore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardcore throws an overhand right that lands on sunday's shoulder, as sunday tries to avoid the shot.
Hardcore jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardcore stuffs the takedown attempt from sunday. sunday gets slowly back to his feet.
Ricky Hardcore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of sol sunday.
Hardcore sizes up sunday with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
sunday keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hardcore.
sunday fails with the takedown.
A clash of legs there as Hardcore blocks the low kick.
sunday displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardcore throws out the jab.
sunday shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardcore sprawls well. Hardcore wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. sunday gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardcore scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from sunday.
Hardcore thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big right from Hardcore misses.
sunday moves away from the strike by Hardcore.
Hardcore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but sunday was well out of range. Poor timing from Hardcore.
Hardcore blocks a head kick by sunday.
sunday takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hardcore loads up on a big right hand but sunday slips the punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big right from Hardcore misses.
Hardcore thows a body shot but no joy.
Hardcore lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardcore throws a looping overhand right but sunday ducks down to avoid it.
A big left from Hardcore misses.
sol sunday is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

sunday drives through with a takedown into guard.
sunday wants to control from the top but Hardcore keeps moving.
sunday throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
sunday loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hardcore keeping moving, preventing sunday from controlling successfully.
Ricky Hardcore has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
sol sunday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
sunday is looking to work some ground and pound but Hardcore has wrist control.
sunday is looking to work some ground and pound but Hardcore has wrist control.
Hardcore keeping moving, preventing sunday from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Hardcore showed his dominance in that final round.
I think sunday has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... sol sunday!