PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Don Marcelo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Hardman (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.

Marcelo
vs
Hardman

150 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Don Marcelo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jackson Hardman!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marcelo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hardman pushes Marcelo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Marcelo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardman tries to buck Marcelo off but Marcelo is having none of it.
Hardman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Marcelo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Marcelo really is a fat lump.
Marcelo moves nicely into side control.
Marcelo really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Hardman wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hardman tries to buck Marcelo off but Marcelo is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marcelo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
You can see the frustration on Hardman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Marcelo trying to control the action but Hardman is working from the bottom.
Marcelo throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marcelo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hardman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Marcelo trying to control the position but Hardman is working away.
Hardman is looking for a sweep.
Marcelo is looking to take a break and control but Hardman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marcelo takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Hardman to pass into mount.
Hardman is trying to escape the mount.
Hardman avoids a series of strikes thrown by Marcelo.
Marcelo thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardman is in all sorts of trouble here.
Marcelo content just to control the position here.
Hardman is bucking up trying to escape but Marcelo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Marcelo avoids the attempt from Hardman to control.
Hardman avoids a series of strikes thrown by Marcelo.
Hardman wants to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hardman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hardman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hardman is trying to stand but he's just given Marcelo his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardman is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hardman looks winded!
Hardman is keeping busy.
Hardman controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Marcelo scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Hardman is looking for a way out.
Hardman prevents Marcelo from getting a body triangle.
Hardman tries to roll but Marcelo sticks to his back.
Hardman staying busy and making it hard for Marcelo to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marcelo looking to break Hardman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hardman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Marcelo will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Marcelo gets his hands free as Hardman looks to control.

Hardman showing good submission defense here.

Hardman manages to escape to his feet.

Hardman has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marcelo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hardman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardman lands with a nice combination. Marcelo backs away looking to recover.
Marcelo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hardman lands a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Marcelo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Marcelo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hardman manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hardman tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Marcelo trying to hold on to Hardman's head to control him but Hardman postures up.
Hardman has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Marcelo works to full guard.
Hardman has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Marcelo is proving hard to escape from.
Hardman is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcelo working a defensive guard here.
Hardman wanted to stand there but Marcelo had control of the position.
Hardman stopping the sweep attempt from Marcelo.
Marcelo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Hardman gets to his feet. Marcelo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Horrible takedown by Hardman or perhaps it was just good defense by Marcelo which made him look bad.
Hardman punishes Marcelo's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marcelo gets a double leg takedown into Hardman's guard.
Hardman is trying to keep Marcelo in close.
Hardman keeping moving, preventing Marcelo from controlling successfully.
Marcelo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hardman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Don Marcelo wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hardman connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Marcelo momentarily.
Marcelo walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Marcelo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman trying to control but Marcelo flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Hardman can't escape the position.
Marcelo lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Marcelo not allowing Hardman to control his hands.

Marcelo has managed to slip his arm under Hardman's chin. This could be all over... yep, Hardman is tapping out! Submission win for Marcelo.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Don Marcelo!