PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vega Hartgrave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Shardlow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartgrave's entrance music is Shame by Drowning Pool. A fine choice. Vega Hartgrave has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hartgrave
vs
Shardlow

182 cm
22
190 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Twisted Soldier Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vega Hartgrave!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Shardlow!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Hartgrave.
Hartgrave misses with a body kick.
Shardlow keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hartgrave looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shardlow is fending him off so far but Hartgrave persists. Nope, Shardlow circles away and we're back to standing.
Hartgrave shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shardlow but Shardlow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vega Hartgrave. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shardlow doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hartgrave displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shardlow lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hartgrave throws a right hand that Shardlow ducks under and follows up with a left that Shardlow also avoids with ease.

Hartgrave scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hartgrave prevents Shardlow from standing back up.
Hartgrave trying to control from half guard but Shardlow is working away.
Shardlow keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartgrave trying to mount his opponent but Shardlow defends it.
Hartgrave thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shardlow's head.
Hartgrave throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hartgrave missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hartgrave thows a huge punch but Shardlow dodges it nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Shardlow pushes Hartgrave away with a front kick.
Steve Shardlow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hartgrave tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shardlow swivels and escapes.
Hartgrave is breathing heavily.
Hartgrave misses with a straight right.
Hartgrave slow jab from Shardlow misses its intended target.
Hartgrave tries to bum rush Shardlow with a series of wild strikes but Shardlow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hartgrave shoots in for a double leg but Shardlow sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hartgrave misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A head kick from Shardlow lands but Hartgrave takes it in his stride.
Shardlow takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Shardlow sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Hartgrave to the ground! Shardlow dives into full mount looking to finish!

Hartgrave is rocked!
Shardlow looking to control and managing it successfully.
Oh Hartgrave is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hartgrave seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartgrave slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hartgrave wants to improve his position but Shardlow is controlling well.
Hartgrave gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hartgrave manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shardlow manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartgrave trying to control the position from guard on top but Shardlow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shardlow is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Hartgrave dives into side control.
Hartgrave sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shardlow is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hartgrave cracks Shardlow with a big elbow.
Hartgrave controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shardlow tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Shardlow will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hartgrave's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shardlow misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shardlow lands with a slapping head kick.

Hartgrave drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hartgrave wants to control but Shardlow is keeping him busy.
Hartgrave wants to control for a moment but Shardlow uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Hartgrave wants to improve his position but Shardlow is controlling well.
Shardlow is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartgrave works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hartgrave looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shardlow is one step ahead there.

Hartgrave escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shardlow gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hartgrave is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two 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.
Shardlow postures up.
Shardlow trying to control the position from guard on top but Hartgrave is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartgrave looking for a sweep. Not yet Hartgrave, not yet.
Hartgrave tries to strike from the bottom.
Hartgrave manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shardlow manages to get himself to full guard.
Hartgrave preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shardlow wants to stand and escape but Hartgrave is having none of it.
Shardlow pulls Hartgrave in to control the position.
Hartgrave passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hartgrave tries to advance to mount but can't.
Hartgrave works to advance to full mount. Shardlow defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Hartgrave lands a big elbow.
Hartgrave pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hartgrave thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartgrave postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Shardlow looks a forlorn figure.
Shardlow is trying desperately to improve position.
Hartgrave looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Shardlow is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hartgrave looking to control but Shardlow is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hartgrave throwing strikes but Shardlow bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Hartgrave tries to free his leg and advance position but Shardlow is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vega Hartgrave dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hartgrave shoots in and drives through. Shardlow sprawls well.
An inside leg kick lands from Shardlow.
Shardlow stuffs the takedown attempt from Hartgrave. Hartgrave gets slowly back to his feet.
Hartgrave fails to land with a series of punches.
Shardlow keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hartgrave tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick from Shardlow lands but Hartgrave takes it in his stride.
Hartgrave throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shardlow's waist but Shardlow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hartgrave off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vega Hartgrave. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartgrave throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vega Hartgrave seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hartgrave takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hartgrave shoots in and drives through. Shardlow sprawls well.
Hartgrave blocks a head kick by Shardlow.
Shardlow scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shardlow throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hartgrave tries to bum rush Shardlow with a series of wild strikes but Shardlow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hartgrave closes the distance and clinches up with Shardlow, looking for a takedown. Hartgrave pushes Shardlow against the cage but Shardlow circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shardlow lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shardlow throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Shardlow dodges the punch combination from Hartgrave.
Hartgrave tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shardlow throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shardlow wants to land a leg kick but Hartgrave is out of range.
Shardlow walks into a stiff left hand from Hartgrave.
Horrible takedown by Hartgrave or perhaps it was just good defense by Shardlow which made him look bad.
Hartgrave shoots in for a double leg but Shardlow sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Steve Shardlow seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shardlow tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hartgrave closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hartgrave throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Hartgrave changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shardlow looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ground and pound from Hartgrave seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
An elbow from Hartgrave crashes against the mat.
Hartgrave postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Hartgrave working the ground and pound.
Shardlow is trying to control Hartgrave's posture but Hartgrave avoids it.
Hartgrave is chipping away with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Shardlow's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Hartgrave is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shardlow has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hartgrave landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Hartgrave landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

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.
Hartgrave tries to advance to mount but Shardlow denies him.
Hartgrave wants to control but Shardlow is keeping him busy.
Shardlow is looking for a sweep.
Hartgrave working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shardlow tries to improve position but can't.
An elbow from Hartgrave crashes against the mat.
Shardlow dodges the ground and pound from Hartgrave.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hartgrave blocks a head kick by Shardlow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Steve Shardlow just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hartgrave looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shardlow throws a head kick that half lands.
Hartgrave misses with a wild combination.
Hartgrave throws an overhand right that lands on Shardlow's shoulder, as Shardlow tries to avoid the shot.
Hartgrave connects with a crisp jab.
Hartgrave fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A jab lands there for Hartgrave.
Hartgrave rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shardlow moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shardlow lands with a slapping head kick.
Hartgrave looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shardlow is fending him off so far but Hartgrave persists. Nope, Shardlow circles away and we're back to standing.
Hartgrave throws a body kick that misses.
Hartgrave loads up on a big right hand but Shardlow slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartgrave looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shardlow is fending him off so far but Hartgrave persists. Nope, Shardlow circles away and we're back to standing.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hartgrave throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Hartgrave gets the takedown into side control.
Shardlow is trying to get back to his feet.
Shardlow is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Hartgrave is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shardlow knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shardlow throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shardlow defending against the ground and pound.
Hartgrave trying to control the action but Shardlow is working from the bottom.
Hartgrave landing strikes.

Hartgrave is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shardlow is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shardlow tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hartgrave wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shardlow is trying to control Hartgrave's posture but Hartgrave avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartgrave cracks Shardlow with a big elbow.
Hartgrave working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hartgrave working the ground and pound from side control.
Hartgrave sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shardlow is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hartgrave lands some shots froms side control.
Hartgrave landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Shardlow regains half guard there - taking advantage of Hartgrave's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Hartgrave wants to free his trapped foot but Shardlow is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartgrave trying to control from half guard but Shardlow is working away.
Hartgrave misses with a head shot. Shardlow uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hartgrave postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hartgrave trying to control but Shardlow is working from the bottom.
Hartgrave working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vega Hartgrave had his way with Steve Shardlow in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Shardlow.
A big left from Hartgrave misses.
Hartgrave throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shardlow's waist but Shardlow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hartgrave off to one side.
Shardlow lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hartgrave cracks Shardlow with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hartgrave tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shardlow swivels and escapes.
Hartgrave lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Horrible takedown by Hartgrave or perhaps it was just good defense by Shardlow which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vega Hartgrave. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shardlow thows a body shot but no joy.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Crunch! Shardlow slams his shin into Hartgrave's torso.
Shardlow on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shardlow lands a head kick. Hartgrave smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shardlow.
Shardlow throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hartgrave's head.
Shardlow throws a nice head kick!
Shardlow pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hartgrave throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Shardlow makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hartgrave really felt that one!
Hartgrave misses with a hook.
Hartgrave misses with a hook to the body
and Shardlow connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shardlow cracks the inside of Hartgrave's front leg.
Shardlow scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shardlow lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shardlow connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shardlow misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hartgrave.
Shardlow throws a head kick that Hartgrave semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shardlow, right into the meat.
Crunch! Shardlow slams his shin into Hartgrave's torso.
Shardlow throws a sloppy head kick and Hartgrave moves out of range easily.
Hartgrave is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shardlow.
Shardlow chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hartgrave on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shardlow. Shardlow obviously looking to wear him down.
Hartgrave looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A nice leg kick lands there from Shardlow.
Hartgrave will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shardlow connects with a high kick.
Vega Hartgrave is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hartgrave tries to bum rush Shardlow with a series of wild strikes but Shardlow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hartgrave has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Shardlow misses.
No luck for Hartgrave with that takedown attempt.
Hartgrave checks the leg kick.
Hartgrave shoots in but no luck this time.
Hartgrave drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hartgrave changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shardlow tries to avoid it but Hartgrave manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shardlow to the ground. Shardlow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shardlow uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hartgrave.
Hartgrave takes a kick to the side of the head.
Shardlow scores with a push kick.
Shardlow avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hartgrave will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Shardlow pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartgrave misses with a double jab.
Hartgrave blocks a head kick by Shardlow.
Hartgrave throws out a loose jab but Shardlow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hartgrave doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shardlow counters with a thumping low kick.
Shardlow works Hartgrave's body with a nice hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Hartgrave as he connects with a hook.
Hartgrave shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shardlow counters with a leg kick.
Shardlow misses with a straight right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hartgrave fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shardlow defending well as Hartgrave loads up on a big left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Shardlow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shardlow 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 47:48
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Peck scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Shardlow!
Steve Shardlow is the new middleweight champion!