PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Alves (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
Alves

182 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Tokyo, 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 Tokyo, Joe Alves!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves lands with a slapping head kick.
Hardy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alves looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardy throws a right hand that Alves ducks under and follows up with a left that Alves also avoids with ease.
Hardy scores with a jab.
Alves shoots in for a double leg but Hardy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A left and a right from Hardy both land. Nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Hardy misses.
Sloppy strikes from Hardy. Those never looked like landing.
Alves plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hardy throws a nice looking combination but Alves bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hardy throws a series of punches but Alves moves out of range.
Hardy looks to land a combination but Alves avoids it well.

Alves moves into the clinch successfully.

Alves has Hardy pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Alves pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hardy tumbling to the mat - Alves dives into Hardy's guard.
Alves slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves pushes down on Hardy's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Alves takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

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.
Let's hope that Alves has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Joe Alves has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Hardy moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Alves misses the target.
Hardy throws a series of strikes that have Alves backpedaling.
Hardy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Alves keeps the fight on the outside.
Dan Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alves shoots in looking for a takedown but Hardy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alves's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Alves.
Hardy fails to land with a series of punches.

Alves lands a big head kick that sends Hardy tumbling to the mat! Alves takes a step backwards and waves Hardy back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Hardy is rocked!
Hardy throws a lazy uppercut

and Alves counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alves.
Oh Hardy is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alves stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hardy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Alves moves into the clinch.
Hardy seems to have got his legs back now.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Alves takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Alves pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alves looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Alves has managed to clinch.
Alves wants a takedown but no success here.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Alves keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alves successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alves is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hardy is controlling him.

Alves manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alves dodges the punch combination from Hardy.

Alves looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Alves trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Alves dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Hardy moves out of range easily.
Alves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hardy was well out of range. Poor timing from Alves.
Alves shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardy sprawls well. Hardy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alves gets slowly back to his feet.
Alves takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hardy scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Alves is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hardy.
Alves dodges the punch combination from Hardy.
Hardy doesn't manage to clinch there - Alves circles away.
Hardy lands with a nice combination. Alves backs away looking to recover.
Hardy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alves takes one on the button.
Alves showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hardy.

Alves drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy is looking to stand up but Alves isn't so interested in that idea.

Alves stands up and waves to Hardy to follow him.

Alves rushes Hardy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardy tries a body shot but Alves blocks it.

Hardy is fighting off a takedown attempt but Alves is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hardy to the mat. Hardy regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alves looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Alves not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Alves was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Alves closes the distance and clinches up with Hardy, looking for a takedown. Alves pushes Hardy against the cage but Hardy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Alves moves into range and clinches up with Hardy.
A frustrated look appears on Hardy's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alves pulls guard successfully.
Alves seems keen to control Hardy's posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Alves moves into range and clinches up with Hardy.
Alves drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hardy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Alves.
Alves prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.
Hardy tries to break free but Alves pushes him back against the cage.

Alves pulls guard.

Alves wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardy.
Hardy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardy misses with a wild combination.

Alves shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hardy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alves trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Hardy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Alves on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Alves was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hardy throws a right hand that Alves ducks under and follows up with a left that Alves also avoids with ease.

Alves fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hardy sprawls well initially but Alves persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Alves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice jab there from Hardy.
Alves dodges the punch combination from Hardy.
Hardy throws a right and a left that both miss.

Alves instigates a clinch.

Alves manages to break the clinch.
Joe Alves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardy stuffs the takedown attempt from Alves. Alves gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sloppy strikes from Hardy. Those never looked like landing.
Hardy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardy throws a right and a left that both miss.

Alves looking to score a takedown here. Hardy is defending well but Alves drives through and ends up in Hardy's guard.
Hardy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alves is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves controlling from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dan Hardy just wasn't active enough.
Alves takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Alves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardy throws a series of punches but Alves avoids them all with ease.

Hardy gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Alves to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Alves prevents Hardy from getting back to his feet.
Joe Alves has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hardy manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Alves is pulling down on Hardy's head. It's preventing any offense from Hardy, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joe Alves wasn't active enough on the ground.

Alves changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hardy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
A lull in the action here as Alves stalls from top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Alves tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Alves stalls from top position.

Joe Alves has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Alves shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.
Dan Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Alves.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Alves moves into range and clinches up with Hardy.
Alves using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Alves pulls guard successfully.
Joe Alves is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Alves is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hardy is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Alves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alves 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Alves!