PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Thirdovsky (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
Thirdovsky

181 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Liam Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joseph Thirdovsky!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thirdovsky lands a head kick!
Thirdovsky throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Hardy closes the distance and clinches.
Hardy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thirdovsky fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No joy there for Hardy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thirdovsky misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thirdovsky instigates a clinch.
Thirdovsky effectively controlling the action here.
Hardy missing with knees to the body.
Thirdovsky is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hardy takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hardy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thirdovsky smiles and moves away.
Thirdovsky throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thirdovsky takes the fight into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thirdovsky takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thirdovsky is stalling here.
Thirdovsky scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Thirdovsky.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Liam Hardy has been cut.
The referee calls for Thirdovsky to work.
Thirdovsky unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Thirdovsky prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thirdovsky with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky stops a takedown attempt from Hardy.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thirdovsky takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Thirdovsky prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thirdovsky drops Hardy with a big knee straight up the middle! Hardy is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Hardy is rocked!
Hardy is breathing heavily.
An inside leg kick lands from Thirdovsky.
Oh Hardy is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sloppy strikes from Thirdovsky. Those never looked like landing.
Hardy seems to have got his legs back now.
Thirdovsky throws a right and a left that both miss.

Thirdovsky darts in and clinches Hardy up against the cage.

Thirdovsky drops Hardy with a big knee straight up the middle! Hardy is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Thirdovsky forces Hardy back against the cage and clinches.
Thirdovsky stalling against the cage.
Thirdovsky landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thirdovsky will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hardy up against the cage.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy tries to pull guard but Thirdovsky holds him up against the cage and eventually Hardy drops back down to his feet.
Thirdovsky slowing the pace effectively.
Thirdovsky connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hardy's face.
Hardy is trying to force a seperation but Thirdovsky has the dominant position.
Hardy avoids the elbow strike from Thirdovsky, against the cage.
Thirdovsky connects with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky'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 blocks an elbow strike.
Hardy is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thirdovsky takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Thirdovsky is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Thirdovsky.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thirdovsky.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Thirdovsky connects with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thirdovsky takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joseph Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses
and Thirdovsky counters with a slapping leg kick.
Thirdovsky thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Thirdovsky dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam Hardy's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thirdovsky darts in and clinches Hardy up against the cage.
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the body.
Hardy blocks an elbow strike.
Thirdovsky landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thirdovsky throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Knees to the body from Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Hardy being controlled against the cage.
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
Joseph Thirdovsky seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardy letting Thirdovsky take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirdovsky landing knees to the body.
Thirdovsky just leaning against Hardy, taking a breather.
Thirdovsky landing knees to the head.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thirdovsky.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joseph Thirdovsky.

Thirdovsky moves into the clinch.
Thirdovsky using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky misses with an elbow over the top.
A knee to the head by Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Thirdovsky scores with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Thirdovsky receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Thirdovsky with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hardy fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thirdovsky stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy tries to pull guard but Thirdovsky holds him up against the cage and eventually Hardy drops back down to his feet.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Thirdovsky throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thirdovsky blocks the elbow strike.
Hardy letting Thirdovsky take a breather here.
Thirdovsky gets underhooks to prevent Hardy's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thirdovsky with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky misses with an elbow strike.
Thirdovsky lands a nice knee to the body.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thirdovsky stalling.
Hardy is trying to drag Thirdovsky to the mat but Thirdovsky just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thirdovsky taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joseph Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Thirdovsky, right into the meat.
Thirdovsky lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Thirdovsky. Hardy shrugs it off though.
Liam Hardy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Thirdovsky closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Thirdovsky.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thirdovsky throws an elbow but misses.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thirdovsky stalling against the cage.
Hardy jumps guard but Thirdovsky stands there with Hardy around his waist. Hardy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Thirdovsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam Hardy's cut.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hardy walks forward, straight into a front kick from Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
That kick from Thirdovsky tenderised Hardy's leg. Hardy is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hardy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Thirdovsky counters by moving into the clinch.
Thirdovsky gets underhooks to prevent Hardy's takedown attempt.
Thirdovsky has Hardy pushed against the cage.
Hardy blocks an elbow strike.
Thirdovsky using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thirdovsky working Hardy over with knees to the body.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hardy is trying to drag Thirdovsky to the mat but Thirdovsky just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The referee calls for Thirdovsky to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thirdovsky stalling in the clinch.
Thirdovsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardy is looking to control Thirdovsky's arms but Thirdovsky gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardy has his back to the cage.
Hardy fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
Come on Thirdovsky - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Thirdovsky unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hardy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Thirdovsky unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hardy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thirdovsky is pushing Hardy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Thirdovsky landing knees to the head.
Thirdovsky working Hardy over with knees to the body.
Thirdovsky stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joseph Thirdovsky.
Thirdovsky goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Thirdovsky feints and then cracks Hardy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hardy down.

Thirdovsky moves into the clinch successfully.
Joseph Thirdovsky is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thirdovsky avoiding damage.
Thirdovsky stops a takedown attempt from Hardy.
Thirdovsky taking a breather.
Hardy takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thirdovsky has Hardy pushed against the cage.
Thirdovsky unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hardy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hardy is trying to push Thirdovsky away but Thirdovsky has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Thirdovsky landing knees to the head.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
Thirdovsky with a knee to the head.
Hardy takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thirdovsky effectively controlling the action here.
Thirdovsky lands a knee to the body.
Thirdovsky lands a good knee to the midsection. Hardy won't want to take too many of those.

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.
Thirdovsky landing knees to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thirdovsky takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Thirdovsky utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hardy letting Thirdovsky take a breather here.
Hardy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thirdovsky crunches a lovely knee into Hardy's ribcage.
Thirdovsky holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thirdovsky obliges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Thirdovsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thirdovsky 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 24:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 24:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Thirdovsky!