PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Rick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardy is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Van damme - streets of Siam. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rick
vs
Hardy

188 cm
32
205 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

186 cm
32
221 lbs
19 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Rick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Will Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rick is out of range and Hardy settles back down.
Rick defending well as Hardy loads up on a big left hand.
Rick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hardy tries to avoid it but Rick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hardy to the ground. Hardy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rick looks for a takedown but Hardy sprawls well.
Hardy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardy throws a right and a left that Rick avoids nicely.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Hardy misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rick looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardy throws out a powerful jab.
Rick on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hardy. Hardy obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Rick. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Hardy.

Hardy closes the distance and clinches.
Rick has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rick tries for a takedown but Hardy manages to get underhooks.
Hardy struggles to land a body shot inside as Rick controls his hands.

Rick lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rick is looking to advance position but Hardy won't allow it.
Hardy wants to improve his position but Rick is controlling well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Rick is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rick throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is staying active underneath Rick, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hardy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rick.
Rick has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hardy regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rick stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rick trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardy controls Rick momentarily but Rick frees himself.

Hardy had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rick defends it easily.

Rick thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Rick from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy wants to improve his position but instead Rick has moved into half guard.

Rick seems to be working for a kimura but Hardy defends the submission attempt.
Hardy trying to hold on to Rick's head to control him but Rick postures up.

Rick is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rick trying to control from Hardy's half guard. Hardy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rick working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rick advances position into side control!
Hardy tries to improve position but can't.
Rick wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardy keeps working.

Rick decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Rick shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.
Hardy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rick was well out of range. Poor timing from Hardy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy lands with a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rick. Rick circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rick shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Will Hardy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hardy lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hardy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rick on the side of the head.
Rick stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hardy.
Hardy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rick.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hardy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rick.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Crunch! Hardy slams his shin into Rick's torso.
Good leg kick by Hardy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hardy throws a perfectly timed hook that sends Rick crashing down! Rick tries to stagger back to his feet but Hardy just hammers him until the ref stops the fight! A confused Rick asks the ref what just happened. Poor fella.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Will Hardy!
A victorious Will Hardy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.