PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Average (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardy has chosen I shot the Sheriff as his entrance music. Ray Hardy will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Average
vs
Hardy

178 cm
23
156 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

193 cm
23
145 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Aaron Average!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Hardy!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Average takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Hardy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Average jumps guard but Hardy stands there with Average around his waist. Average gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hardy gets underhooks to prevent Average's takedown attempt.
Hardy scores a nice knee to the body.
Hardy trying to stall but Average improves his position.
Hardy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Average takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Aaron Average has been cut.
Hardy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Average goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hardy prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Average. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Average is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hardy landing knees to the head.
Hardy lands a knee to the head.
Hardy gets through Average's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Hardy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hardy stalling against the cage.
Hardy lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy lands with a light punch inside.
Hardy scores with a nice hook to the head.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Average tries to pull guard but Hardy won't allow it.
Hardy gets underhooks to prevent Average's takedown attempt.
Average is breathing heavily.
Hardy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short left from Hardy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hardy scores with a knee to the head.
Hardy lands a nice elbow.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Average fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Average throws a head punch that misses.
Hardy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Average up against the cage.
Hardy connects with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Hardy.
Hardy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Average blocks it with crossed arms.
Hardy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Average's defenses.
Hardy tries a knee to the head but Average blocks it.
Hardy lands a damaging elbow.
Hardy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Average takes a knee to the side of the body.
Average looking for a takedown.
Hardy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Average backwards.
Hardy prevents the takedown attempt.
Hardy lands a hook that snaps the head of Average backwards.
Hardy connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hardy.
A knee to the head by Hardy.
Hardy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Average takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Average is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hardy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Average's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hardy using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hardy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Average has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hardy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Average in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardy scores with a shot to the side of Average's head.
Hardy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Averages head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hardy obliges.
A right hand to the body from Hardy.
Hardy with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hardy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hardy lands with a right to the head.
Hardy with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hardy with a knee to the head.
Hardy lands an elbow just above Average 's eye.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike.
Hardy lands a nice elbow.
Nice elbow from Hardy.
Hardy works on Average's body with a couple of short punches.
Hardy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Average's face.
A short right from Hardy.
Hardy misses with a knee strike.
Average is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hardy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is working Average over against the cage.
A short left from Hardy.
Hardy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hardy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A knee to the head by Hardy.
Hardy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hardy lands with a short shot to the head.
Hardy landing knees to the body.
Hardy using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hardy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Average in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hardy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hardy lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hardy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hardy lands an elbow inside.
Hardy gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Average.
Hardy lands a nice uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hardy.
Knees to the body from Hardy.
Hardy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hardy with a knee to the head.
Hardy lands an elbow inside that Average shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Hardy.
Hardy throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hardy with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hardy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Knees to the body from Hardy.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hardy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hardy looking to stall.
Hardy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hardy landing knees to the head.
Average tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Average fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Average has Hardy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hardy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hardy landing knees to the head.
Hardy with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short left from Hardy.
Hardy lands a left hand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hardy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Hardy.
Hardy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Hardy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Average's cut.
That's time! Average's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A nice inside leg kick there by Hardy. That's going to slow Average down.
No luck for Average with that takedown attempt.
Hardy throws a leg kick which misses Average's front leg but catches the back leg as Average tries to avoid it.
Hardy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Average.
Hardy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Average's sensitive parts.

Hardy forces Average back against the cage and clinches.
Hardy lands an elbow that stopped Average in his tracks for a moment.
A knee to the head by Hardy.
Average has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardy landing knees to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Average is trying to trip Hardy. He has hold of a leg but Hardy is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Average persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Average might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Hardy has his feet on Average's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Average takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hardy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy lands with an overhand left.

Hardy moves into range and clinches up with Average.
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Average backwards.
Hardy with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Average has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hardy is trying to keep an underhook but Average manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Average is just content to waste time from the top position. Hardy takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Average won't allow Hardy to get back to his feet.

Hardy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Average working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hardy pushes Average off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Average darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hardy pushes Average off looking to stand but Average dives back in and keeps control.
Average is looking to advance position but Hardy won't allow it.

Average is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hardy is just riding it out for now. Average eventually gives up the hold.
Hardy is trying to stand up here but Average is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is trying to control but can't.

Average looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hardy keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four 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.
Hardy wants to get back to full guard.
Hardy trying to hold on to Average's head to control him but Average postures up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Average is looking for a kimura here.
Hardy is trying to stand.
Average is trying to control the action in half guard but Hardy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ray Hardy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Aaron Average's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hardy cracks Average with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hardy is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Hardy moves into the clinch successfully.
Hardy avoiding damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hardy.
A knee to the head by Hardy.
Average fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hardy stalling in the clinch but Average improves position.
Hardy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hardy tries to land a knee to the head but Average blocks with his arms.
Hardy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hardy with a knee to the head.
Hardy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Averages head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Average as Hardy tries to tie him up.
Hardy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hardy misses with an elbow strike.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hardy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Average wants the takedown. Hardy is fighting it off but Average persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hardy's guard against the cage.

Average drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hardy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Average has Hardy in his guard.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Average is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average is trying to keep Hardy in close.

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

Hardy is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Average keeping full guard, as Hardy tries to pass.
Hardy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ray Hardy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Hardy is trying to control the action in half guard but Average is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Hardy. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Average is trying to maintain the position but Hardy is very close to passing his half guard.
Hardy tries to pass to full mount but Average defends it.
Average has a hand on Hardy's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Hardy takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Hardy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Average is desperately trying to improve his position but Hardy has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Average is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hardy controlling from mount.
Average can't escape the position.
Hardy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Average is looking to escape.
Average keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hardy trying to control but Average is having none of it.

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.
Average is in all sorts of trouble here.
Average is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hardy controlling from mount.
Hardy looking to control but Average is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Aaron Average has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Average tries to hold on but Hardy postures up.
Hardy sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Average sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 26:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Hardy!