PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arthmael HardStyle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arthmael HardStyle has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

HardStyle
vs
Edwards

222 cm
31
270 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

209 cm
20
285 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arthmael HardStyle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Edwards!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Edwards is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Edwards looks for a takedown but HardStyle sprawls well.
Edwards is looking to clinch.
Edwards has a takedown stuffed.
HardStyle circles away from the clinch attempt

and HardStyle moves into the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from HardStyle.

HardStyle jumps into guard, dragging Edwards to the mat.

HardStyle is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Edwards lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of HardStyle backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

HardStyle pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
HardStyle really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Edwards fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Arthmael HardStyle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Edwards.

Edwards looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for HardStyle!
Edwards is trying to ground and pound but HardStyle uses the momentary lack of control by Edwards to regain half guard.
Edwards working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on HardStyle's thigh. HardStyle counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Edwards trying to control but HardStyle is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle pulls Edwards in close to prevent any damage.
HardStyle trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Edwards trying to control but HardStyle is working from the bottom.
HardStyle pulls Edwards in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dave Edwards was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Edwards tries for a takedown but HardStyle circles away easily

and HardStyle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Edwards stalling in the clinch but HardStyle improves position.
Edwards misses with an elbow strike.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Edwards bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Edwards thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
HardStyle is trying to control Edwards's posture but Edwards avoids it.
Edwards is looking to take a break and control but HardStyle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
HardStyle is trying to control Edwards's posture but Edwards avoids it.
HardStyle regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
HardStyle moves into full guard.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but HardStyle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Arthmael HardStyle will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Edwards misses with a right hand

and HardStyle counters with a single leg into guard. Edwards didn't expect that.
Edwards trying to strike off his back.
Arthmael HardStyle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
HardStyle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Edwards preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
HardStyle passes Edwards's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Edwards wants to get back to his feet.

HardStyle is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
HardStyle lands with a punch from half guard.
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!
Edwards blocking the ground and pound attempt from HardStyle.
HardStyle 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HardStyle controlling the action here.

HardStyle stands up from half guard.
HardStyle shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Edwards counters with a leg kick.
Edwards will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
HardStyle shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Edwards sprawls well. Edwards wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. HardStyle gets slowly back to his feet.

Edwards gets caught flat footed, as HardStyle shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
HardStyle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards is trying to improve his position.

HardStyle goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Edwards rolls with the submission and now he's on top in HardStyle's guard! Nice work there by Edwards!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
HardStyle looking to control.
Edwards being controlled here momentarily.
Edwards postures up and lands a big shot to HardStyle's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

HardStyle has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Edwards can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
HardStyle keeping moving, preventing Edwards from controlling successfully.
Edwards wants to stand but HardStyle has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
HardStyle controlling Edwards's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Edwards is stalling in the full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dave Edwards hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

HardStyle closes the distance and clinches.
HardStyle is trying to drag Edwards to the mat but Edwards just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthmael HardStyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
HardStyle tries to pull guard but Edwards won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthmael HardStyle dominated that second round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Nice sprawl there from HardStyle as Edwards shoots in.
HardStyle closes the distance but Edwards moves to the side
and Edwards counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
HardStyle keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Edwards shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and HardStyle decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Edwards's guard.
Arthmael HardStyle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Edwards.

HardStyle gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edwards tries to clinch there but HardStyle circles away.
Edwards shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and HardStyle counters with a nice low kick that buckles Edwards's knee momentarily.
HardStyle slaps away a takedown attempt from Edwards, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Edwards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
HardStyle fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Edwards avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

HardStyle fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Edwards to the ground. HardStyle is now in Edwards's guard.

Edwards has his foot on HardStyle's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. HardStyle works his way back into a safe position though.
HardStyle scoring with some ground and pound.
HardStyle stands and throws Edwards's legs to the side, diving into side control.

HardStyle tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

HardStyle decides to stand back up. HardStyle steps back and let's Edwards get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Edwards is trying hard to land a takedown here. HardStyle sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Edwards throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and HardStyle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Edwards won't be happy with that.

HardStyle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Edwards has escaped the position, nice work there.
Edwards takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Edwards is looking to reverse the position.
HardStyle wants to control but Edwards is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

HardStyle is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Edwards knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
HardStyle working the ground and pound.
Edwards takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Edwards is not content to let HardStyle control the position.
Edwards can't do much from the bottom here.
Edwards really doesn't want to stay on the ground with HardStyle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
HardStyle avoids the strikes from the bottom by Edwards.
Arthmael HardStyle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

HardStyle tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no HardStyle has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An elbow from HardStyle crashes against the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Edwards is trying to control HardStyle's posture but HardStyle avoids it.
HardStyle moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arthmael HardStyle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for HardStyle, 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arthmael HardStyle!
An out of breath Arthmael HardStyle thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.