PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tadashi Masaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardy has chosen Coming home -Dirty money as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jason Hardy has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Masaru
vs
Hardy

176 cm
31
166 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

180 cm
33
160 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tadashi Masaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jason Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masaru scores with a three punch combo!
Hardy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Masaru manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Masaru will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Masaru falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hardy counters with a stiff right hand.
Masaru shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hardy but Hardy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hardy slips a jab and a cross from Masaru.
Masaru shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tadashi Masaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masaru rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Hardy feints and as Masaru raises his hands in defense, Hardy changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hardy trying to control but Masaru is working from the bottom.
Hardy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Masaru working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hardy.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Masaru keeps moving.

Masaru is looking for a triangle but Hardy pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Masaru has his foot on Hardy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hardy works his way back into a safe position though.
Hardy postures up and lands a big shot to Masaru's brow.
Hardy not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Masaru working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hardy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hardy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hardy landing with the ground and pound.
Hardy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Masaru working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hardy has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masaru looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy slips a nice elbow through Masaru's hands, connecting with Masaru's forehead.
Hardy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Masaru is looking to improve his position.
Masaru is trying to stand.
Hardy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hardy wants to pass to mount but Masaru is defending the position.

Masaru is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hardy pulls his head out easily.
Hardy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masaru keeps working.
Masaru is looking to improve his position.
Hardy stalling.

Masaru looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hardy is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hardy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hardy winds up and cracks Masaru with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hardy passes the guard and advances to mount!
Masaru keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Hardy looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Masaru tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hardy unloading with bombs!
Masaru is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy content just to control the position here.
Masaru sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hardy lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy trying to mount his opponent but Masaru defends it.

Masaru looking for submissions off his back.
Masaru has hold of Hardy's hands but Hardy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hardy wants to control but Masaru is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Masaru looking for submissions off his back.
Masaru is trying to get back to full guard.

Masaru looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Hardy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hardy is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Masaru's half guard.
Masaru wants to get back to his feet.
Hardy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Masaru actively working from the bottom here.
Masaru is in trouble now - Hardy has advanced to mount!
Masaru really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Masaru is in a horrible position here. Hardy smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Masaru is looking to get to half guard.
Hardy lands a heavy elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy looking to finish Masaru with some ground and pound. This is bad for Masaru!
Hardy with the ground and pound from mount.
Masaru in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Masaru's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hardy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Masaru hang on?
Hardy lands a heavy elbow.
Hardy looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Masaru keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy working the ground and pound effectively.
Hardy working Masaru over with strikes here.
Hardy in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Masaru taking shots to the head.
Masaru taking shots to the head.
BOOM! Hardy connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy punishing his opponent with strikes.

Masaru is rocked!
BOOM! Hardy connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Oh Masaru is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Masaru regains half guard.

Masaru actively working from the bottom here.
Masaru seems to have got his legs back now.
Hardy is keen to just control but Masaru is a slippery customer.
Jason Hardy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Masaru scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Hardy manages to mount him!
Hardy lands a heavy elbow.
Masaru tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hardy tries to control but Masaru wriggling away.
Masaru taking shots to the head.
Hardy with good strikes from the mount here!
Masaru is bucking up trying to escape but Hardy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hardy landing strikes from the mount and Masaru is in trouble!
Hardy lands a big shot there that rocks Masaru but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy with shots to the head and body - Masaru looks very uncomfortable down there.
Masaru is working to get back to half guard.
Hardy controlling from the full mount.
Hardy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Masaru can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Masaru is trying to stand.
Masaru is trying to escape the mount.
Hardy with a couple of short strikes.
Masaru working to try and regain half guard.
Hardy landing shots from mount.
Hardy lands a heavy elbow.
Hardy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Masaru hang on?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardy fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masaru is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Masaru is looking to improve his position but Hardy isn't that keen on the idea.
Hardy lands with some strikes.
Hardy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Hardy prevents Masaru from getting the reversal.
Hardy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Masaru looks a forlorn figure.
Masaru tries to buck Hardy off but he can't manage it.
Hardy scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Masaru?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Masaru is looking to improve his position but Hardy isn't that keen on the idea.
BOOM! Hardy connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Masaru tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Hardy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Masaru throws a series of punches but Hardy moves out of range.
Tadashi Masaru seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Masaru, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hardy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masaru.
Masaru gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hardy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Masaru shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Masaru showed some decent athleticism there.
Hardy is pressing down on Masaru's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hardy throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hardy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hardy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masaru is looking to stand up but Hardy won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy is trying to control the position but Masaru postures up.
Masaru throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hardy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Jason Hardy has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hardy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Masaru on the side of the head.
Hardy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masaru manages to avoid it.
Hardy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masaru's waist but Masaru gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hardy off to one side.
Masaru circles away from the clinch attempt
and Masaru counters with a left and a right that stings Hardy.
Tadashi Masaru is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masaru dives in and grabs Hardy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hardy pushes down on Masaru's head and hops out.
Hardy dodges the punch combination from Masaru.
Masaru steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Tadashi Masaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Masaru sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Masaru tries to bum rush Hardy with a series of wild strikes but Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Masaru swinging wildly here.
Masaru closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hardy circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tadashi Masaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hardy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hardy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Masaru can't break the clinch.
Masaru is looking to break free of the clinch but Hardy has double underhooks.
Hardy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Masaru.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masaru blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardy trying to stall but Masaru improves his position.
Hardy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Masaru tries to break the clinch but Hardy is controlling the position.

Masaru breaks from the clinch.
Masaru shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Masaru takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Hardy.
Jason Hardy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jab from Hardy.
Hardy thows a body shot but no joy.
Hardy missing with a left hand there. Masaru was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Masaru.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick and Masaru moves out of range easily.
Masaru misses with a two punch combination.
Masaru leaves Hardy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Masaru throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Masaru fails with the takedown
and Masaru takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masaru shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardy sprawls well. Hardy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Masaru gets slowly back to his feet.

Hardy is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Masaru's half guard.
Masaru is looking to escape.
Hardy slows the pace down in half guard.

Masaru looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Hardy!
A victorious Jason Hardy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.