PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Trev Hartley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ibrahima Kayode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Hartley
vs
Kayode

175 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
173 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Trev Hartley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ibrahima Kayode!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kayode gets the takedown into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Kayode.
Hartley dodges the ground and pound from Kayode.
Hartley is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kayode's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kayode with the ground and pound but Hartley uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kayode throws an elbow that misses. Hartley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kayode's guard. Nice move by Hartley!
Hartley trying to control but Kayode is working from the bottom.
Hartley slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kayode is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hartley has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kayode is looking to regain half guard here but Hartley keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hartley trying to control the position but Kayode is working away.
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!
Hartley has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kayode!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayode is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Hartley lands a big elbow.
Kayode wants to hold on but Hartley pushes him away.
Hartley controlling from mount.
Kayode is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Kayode is trying to escape the mount.
Kayode is squirming around, avoiding Hartley's attempts to control the action.
Kayode wants to get back to his feet.
Hartley looking to control but Kayode is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kayode is trying to stand.
Hartley tries to control but Kayode wriggling away.
Hartley sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kayode is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hartley with good strikes from the mount here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartley blocks Kayode's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Hartley sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kayode is desperately trying to improve his position but Hartley has a good base and remains in mount.
Kayode throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hartley trying to control but Kayode is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayode throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hartley trying to control but Kayode is having none of it.
Kayode tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kayode tries to hold on but Hartley postures up.
Hartley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kayode is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartley tries to control but Kayode wriggling away.
Kayode tries to lock up and control but Hartley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kayode is squirming around, avoiding Hartley's attempts to control the action.
Hartley controlling from the full mount.
Kayode is squirming around, avoiding Hartley's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Trev Hartley has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Hartley there.

It looks like Ibrahima Kayode has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kayode avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kayode tries to clinch up but Hartley circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trev Hartley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ibrahima Kayode's cut.
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.

Kayode closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hartley's guard.
Kayode throws an elbow that misses. Hartley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kayode's guard. Nice move by Hartley!
Hartley trying to control but Kayode is working from the bottom.
Hartley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hartley trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayode is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartley controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kayode working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hartley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hartley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kayode keeping moving, preventing Hartley from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Trev Hartley.
Kayode avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hartley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartley swinging wildly here.
Hartley misses with a two punch combination.

Kayode moves into the clinch successfully.
Hartley goes for a takedown attempt but Kayode pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've been told by Hartley's head coaches at EvolutioN MMA Acadamy & Gym ( 12 ELITE Coaches ) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Kayode closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kayode lands in his opponent's guard.
Hartley is looking to stand up but Kayode isn't so interested in that idea.
My spies in Rage Fighting Fit Gym inform me that Kayode has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kayode preventing the sweep.
Kayode throws an elbow that misses. Hartley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kayode's guard. Nice move by Hartley!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kayode is trying to control the position but Hartley postures up.
Hartley won't allow Kayode to get back to his feet.
Hartley trying to control but Kayode is working from the bottom.
Hartley tries to stand but Kayode is controlling from the bottom.
Hartley stopping the sweep attempt from Kayode.
Kayode lands a good elbow from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kayode will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Hartley content to stall in guard here.
Hartley prevents Kayode from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartley sitting in guard, not really doing much.

We're going to have a standup here because Trev Hartley wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Kayode gets a takedown into half guard.
Kayode lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Hartley manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kayode keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kayode comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hartley working hard to break the clinch.
Kayode tries a knee to the head but Hartley blocks it.
Kayode misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hartley.
Hartley wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kayode turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hartley regains half guard, as Kayode was trying to land strikes.
Kayode throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hartley works his way to full guard. Good work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hartley is on top in guard.
Kayode wants to stand but Hartley is controlling the position.
Kayode is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hartley stays in close to Kayode's body and controls the position.
Hartley wants to control from the top but Kayode keeps moving.
Hartley stays in close to Kayode's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ibrahima Kayode will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ibrahima Kayode's cut.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hartley throws a nice looking combination but Kayode bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Kayode closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hartley did well to prevent Kayode getting side control.
Hartley wants to control but Kayode is keeping busy.
Kayode misses with a head shot. Hartley uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hartley trying to keep a closed guard but Kayode is proving a slippery customer.

Hartley kicks Kayode off and gets to his feet.
Hartley throws a good cross that connects.
Hartley fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayode dodges the punch combination from Hartley.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kayode is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hartley's half guard.
Kayode not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hartley gets full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kayode accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hartley trying to control the position.
Kayode throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hartley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kayode throws a big right hand that misses.
Kayode must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kayode working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hartley's head.
Hartley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kayode manages to get himself to full guard.
Kayode wants to stand and escape but Hartley is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kayode keeping moving, preventing Hartley from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kayode can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kayode is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hartley slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Kayode is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kayode controlling the position.

Trev Hartley has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hartley throws a right hand that Kayode ducks under and follows up with a left that Kayode also avoids with ease.

Kayode shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kayode was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The strikes coming from Kayode are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hartley manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayode missing with punches from the bottom.
Hartley is looking to take a break and control but Kayode is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kayode wants to get back to full guard.
Hartley works his way into full mount!
Hartley looking to control but Kayode is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kayode tries to hold on but Hartley pushes him away.
Kayode is squirming around, avoiding Hartley's attempts to control the action.
Kayode wants to control but Hartley is having none of it.
Hartley controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kayode is looking to improve his position but Hartley isn't that keen on the idea.
Hartley controlling the pace for now.
Hartley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kayode squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hartley looking to control and managing it successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartley with the ground and pound from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ibrahima Kayode.
I think Kayode has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!