PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Lai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hardy
vs
Lai

183 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Lai!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy misses with a few strikes there.
Hardy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardy moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Hardy tries to keep at a distance but Lai has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Dan Hardy has been cut.
Lai lands a knee to the body.
The referee calls for Lai to work.
Lai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardy blocks it with crossed arms.
Hardy takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lai scores with a knee to the head.
Hardy takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lai scores with a knee to the head.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Lai lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lai takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lai manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Lai with a knee to the head.
Lai leaning against his opponent.
Hardy takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Come on Lai - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tiago Lai.

Lai takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lai crunches a lovely knee into Hardy's ribcage.
Lai's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hardy managing to block the knees to the body from Lai.
Hardy wants to break free but Lai has control.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lai taking a breather.
Lai has Hardy pressed against the cage, preventing Hardy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Lai is controlling the position.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hardy is looking to break free of the clinch but Lai has double underhooks.
Lai misses with a knee strike.
Lai prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Lai is controlling the position.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hardy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Lai tries to land a knee to the head but Hardy blocks with his arms.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Lai keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Lai stalling.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Lai keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hardy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lai has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai is controlling him.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiago Lai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dan Hardy's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hardy wants to clinch up but Lai keeps it at a distance.
Lai fails with the takedown.
Lai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hardy pinned against the cage. Hardy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lai is looking to clinch.
A nice combination there by Hardy.

It looks like Tiago Lai has been cut.
Lai tries to clinch there but Hardy circles away.
Lai avoids the body shot from Hardy.
Hardy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hardy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tiago Lai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lai.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Lai.
Hardy doesn't manage to clinch there - Lai circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardy getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy lands a two punch combo.
Hardy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lai.
Hardy tries to bum rush Lai with a series of wild strikes but Lai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dan Hardy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lai walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Lai rushes Hardy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lai throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardy blocks it with crossed arms.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Lai has Hardy pushed against the cage.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai is controlling him.
The referee calls for Lai to work.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lai connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Lai won't allow it.
Hardy wants to break free but Lai has control.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lai unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lai has Hardy pressed against the cage, preventing Hardy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lai seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Hardy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai crunches a lovely knee into Hardy's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hardy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lai tries to land knees in the clinch but Hardy avoids the damage to the body.
Hardy can't break the clinch.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai is looking to control Hardy's arms but Hardy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lai has his back to the cage.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
The referee calls for Lai to work.
Lai prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Lai is controlling the position.
Lai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lai prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Lai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Hardy dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lai fails with the takedown.
Hardy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hardy swinging wildly here.
Lai shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.

Lai clinches up against the cage.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai is controlling him.
Hardy can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Lai won't allow it.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Lai won't allow it.
Lai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hardy can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy being controlled against the cage.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lai landing knees to the head.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Lai keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Lai won't allow it.
Lai tries to land knees in the clinch but Hardy avoids the damage to the body.
Hardy wants to break free but Lai has control.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Lai missing with knees to the body.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Lai has Hardy pressed against the cage, preventing Hardy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy avoiding damage as Lai throws knees to the body.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy can't break the clinch.
Lai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hardy's face.
Lai tries to land a knee to the head but Hardy blocks with his arms.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Lai has the dominant position.
Hardy avoiding damage as Lai throws knees to the body.
Hardy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardy tries to circle away but Lai has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lai lands a knee to the head.
Lai is struggling to control the position.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Lai keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lai lands a nice knee to the body.
Hardy tries to break free but Lai pushes him back against the cage.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lai scores with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Lai to work.
Hardy is trying to push Lai away but Lai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hardy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lai misses with a knee strike.
Lai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hardy is trying to break the clinch but Lai has him pressed against the cage.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
Lai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hardy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lai avoiding damage.
Hardy is looking to break free of the clinch but Lai has double underhooks.
Lai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hardy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lai keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lai putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hardy in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hardy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lai tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiago Lai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lai 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 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiago Lai!