PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Hickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hardy
vs
Hickson

187 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, 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 Hilo, Dan Hickson!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hickson.
Hardy connects with the punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hickson is defended easily by Hardy.

Hardy clinches up against the cage.

Hickson pulls guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hickson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hardy is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hardy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hickson on the ground.
Hardy wants to get up but he can't break Hickson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Hickson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hardy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy wanted to stand there but Hickson had control of the position.
Hardy stays in close to Hickson's body and controls the position.

Hickson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hardy controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Hickson is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hickson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dan Hardy.
Hickson connects with a nice looking jab.
Hardy stuffs the takedown attempt from Hickson. Hickson gets slowly back to his feet.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hickson.
Hickson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hardy is able to avoid easily.
Nice jab there from Hardy.
Dan Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hickson doesn't seem bothered though.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hardy, as that shot connected.
Dan Hardy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hardy closes the distance and clinches.
Hickson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hardy to keep the fight standing.
Hickson can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy misses with a body punch.
Hardy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hardy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Hardy - that landed with a thud.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hardy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hickson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hardy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hardy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hickson takes a shot to the head.
Hickson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hardy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Hardy.
Hardy works on Hickson's body with a couple of short punches.
Hickson tries for a takedown. No joy.
A body shot lands from Hardy.
Hickson working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy is pressed up against the cage. Hickson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hardy down to the mat. Hardy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hickson looks winded!
Hardy thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circle momentarily. Hardy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice jab there from Hardy.
Jab by Hardy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hardy takes the fight into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Hardy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Hardy dominated that round.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hickson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hickson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hickson tries to move into range but Hardy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hardy lands a nice hook to Hickson's body. Hickson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dan Hickson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hardy closes the distance and clinches.
Hardy lands with a light punch inside.
Hardy lands a left hand.
Hickson is trying to pull guard but Hardy has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hickson has him pressed against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.
Hardy throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hardy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hickson's efforts to push away.
Hardy has Hickson pressed against the cage, preventing Hickson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hickson backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hardy.
A body shot lands from Hardy.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Hickson goes for a takedown attempt but Hardy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hickson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hickson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good exchange - Hardy coming out on top.

Hardy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hickson, pushing him back against the cage.
Hardy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hardy misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hardy gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hickson.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hickson.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Hickson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hickson takes one to the side of the head.
Hardy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Hickson saw that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hardy has Hickson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Hardy.
Hickson is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy working hard to break the clinch.
Hardy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hardy pushes Hickson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickson tries to pull guard but Hardy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hardy tries to work over Hickson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hickson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Hickson has Hardy pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hickson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hardy tumbling to the mat - Hickson dives into Hardy's guard.
Hickson is breathing heavily.
Hardy trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardy wants to hit a switch here but Hickson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hardy there!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hickson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hickson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Hickson is landing with some decent strikes but Hardy is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hickson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hardy lands with a left to the head.
Hardy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hickson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hickson is looking for a takedown.
Dan Hardy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hardy pushes Hickson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hardy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hickson's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hickson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hardy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hickson, pushing him back against the cage.

Hickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hickson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardy tries to close the distance and clinch but Hickson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hickson taking a breather.
Hardy digs a right hand underneath Hickson's ribcage. Hickson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hickson jumps guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dan Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hickson.
Nice body punch from Hardy.
Hickson jumps guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hickson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hardy works on Hickson's body with a couple of short punches.
Hardy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hickson backwards.
Hickson tries to land knees in the clinch but Hardy avoids the damage to the body.
Hardy is trying to push Hickson away but Hickson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hickson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hickson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hardy pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hardy lands with a good body shot.
Hardy moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardy clinches.
Hickson wants to stall.
Hardy lands a left hand.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.
Hardy lands a body punch.
Hardy lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.
Hardy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hardy scores with a shot to the side of Hickson's head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hickson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardy blocks it with crossed arms.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike.
Hardy lands a nice shot to the body.
Hardy is leaning against Hickson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hardy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A hook to the body from Hardy.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy pushes Hickson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Hardy.
Dan Hickson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dan Hardy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short body shot lands from Hardy as the two fighters clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Hardy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hardy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27

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