PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Darius Badolato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Badolato kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Nneka - Heartbeat. Hickock has chosen Why can't we be friends as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Badolato
vs
Hickock

180 cm
34
200 lbs
26 - 9 - 0

182 cm
32
193 lbs
28 - 16 - 2

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darius Badolato!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 2, fighting out of New York, Richard Hickock!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Badolato lands with a good body shot.
Hickock dodges the punch combination from Badolato.
Hickock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Badolato moves out of range of the leg kick from Hickock.
Badolato slips under a jab.
A big right from Badolato misses.
Badolato avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hickock throws the kick towards the body but Badolato avoids it.
Badolato lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Badolato misses with a low kick.
Hickock checks the leg kick nicely there.
No joy there for Badolato, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Badolato scores with a nice body kick.
Hickock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hickock cracks the inside of Badolato's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock cracks Badolato with an open hand slap.

It looks like Darius Badolato has been cut.
Hickock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hickock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Badolato.
A jab from Badolato does it's job there.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Badolato.
Hickock felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Badolato throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Badolato misses with the ground and pound.
Hickock dodges the ground and pound from Badolato.
Badolato throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Badolato throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Badolato in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Badolato's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Badolato is looking to take a break and control but Hickock is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Badolato goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hickock rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Badolato's guard! Nice work there by Hickock!
Hickock engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Badolato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badolato manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hickock's best efforts.
Badolato regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hickock showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Badolato has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hickock seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Badolato is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Badolato is trying to control the position but Hickock postures up.

Badolato looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hickock has picked Badolato up and slammed him! Badolato can't keep hold of the triangle and Hickock manages to pass to side control!
Hickock controlling from side mount.
Hickock trying to control the action but Badolato is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Badolato tries to bench press Hickock off him but Hickock keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Badolato's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Badolato is looking to reverse the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Badolato struggling a bit here.
Hickock controlling from side mount.

Hickock stands up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badolato throws an overhand right that lands on Hickock's shoulder, as Hickock tries to avoid the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Badolato dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darius Badolato's cut.
That's time! Badolato's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Badolato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Hickock.
Richard Hickock is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hickock looks to land a combination but Badolato avoids it well.
Badolato misses with an uppercut. Hickock saw that one coming.
Hickock swings away with a body shot that misses

and Badolato counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Badolato.
Badolato with a flurry of punches that miss.
Badolato with a flurry of punches that miss.
Badolato postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hickock is trying to control the position but Badolato postures up.
Hickock keeping moving, preventing Badolato from controlling successfully.
Badolato is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Badolato works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badolato is just content to waste time from the top position. Hickock takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Badolato loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Badolato looking to sit in guard and control but Hickock gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Badolato seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Badolato working a defensive guard here.
Badolato keeping full guard, as Hickock tries to pass.

Badolato looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hickock passes into half guard.
Badolato wants to control but Hickock passes into side.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Badolato is looking to regain half guard here but Hickock keeps moving and retains side control.

Hickock stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Badolato on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Badolato throws a low kick but Hickock avoids it.
A right-left combo lands from Hickock.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot to the liver by Hickock. Beautiful body shot.
Richard Hickock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hickock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hickock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hickock looks to land a right hand but Badolato moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Badolato.
Richard Hickock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Badolato attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Badolato misses with an attempted mid kick.
Badolato shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hickock as he avoids it easily.
Badolato dodges the punch combination from Hickock.
Hickock tries to land a leg kick but Badolato saw it coming and moves away.
Hickock throws a leg kick

and Badolato counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hickock's guard now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Badolato wants to pass the guard but Hickock is keeping the position.
Badolato working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hickock avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hickock managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Badolato content to stall in guard here.

Badolato is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hickock is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hickock has escaped and now he's on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Badolato throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Darius Badolato overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hickock is fighting to break Badolato's control of his arms but Badolato is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Badolato dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darius Badolato's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Badolato. Hickock shrugs it off though.
Good work by Badolato as he checks the leg kick.
Richard Hickock seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hickock checks the leg kick nicely there.
Badolato moves out of range of the leg kick from Hickock.
Badolato connects with the punch.
Badolato is looking to chop away at Hickock's legs.
Hickock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Hickock does no damage.
Badolato lands with an uppercut that bounces Hickock off the cage and back into range.
Hickock throws a body punch but Badolato moves out of range.
Badolato misses with a straight right.
Hickock throws a low kick but it's checked well by Badolato.
Badolato misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badolato takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A punch lands to the side of Badolato 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Badolato takes one on the button.
Badolato takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Badolato lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hickock circles away quickly and effectively.
Badolato displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hickock throws out the jab.
Hickock stuns Badolato with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hickock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hickock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hickock pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Badolato back to the cage. Hickock follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hickock scores with a sloppy right hand. Badolato should have avoided that one.
Badolato blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Badolato connects with an inside leg kick.
Badolato shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hickock is looking to clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Badolato.
Hickock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Badolato throws a nice looking combination but Hickock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Badolato misses with a low kick.
Hickock scores with a kick to the midsection.
Badolato throws out a loose jab but Hickock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hickock is looking to slow Badolato down with leg kicks.
Hickock pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hickock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hickock scores with a crisp jab that stopped Badolato in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badolato slips under a jab from Hickock.
Hickock misses the shot to the body.
Badolato misses with a body shot.
Hickock doesn't manage to clinch there - Badolato circles away.
A shot to the liver by Badolato. Beautiful body shot.
Badolato takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Badolato was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock.
Hickock tries to land a front kick but Badolato steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Badolato attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Badolato was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock.
Badolato takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Badolato avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Badolato.
Hickock feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Badolato's calf.
Badolato avoids the body shot from Hickock.
Hickock throws a body shot but no joy.
A right-left combo lands from Hickock.
Badolato tries for a takedown but Hickock sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Badolato thows a body kick. Hickock tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Badolato on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Badolato dips to his left and cracks Hickock with an uppercut!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Badolato misses with an uppercut.
Hickock fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Badolato looks for the body kick but Hickock saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hickock really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darius Badolato's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hickock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Badolato.
Hickock avoids the body shot from Badolato.
Hickock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Badolato on the side of the head.
Hickock lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hickock throws a leg kick

and Badolato counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Badolato trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Badolato postures up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hickock wants to stand but Badolato is controlling the position.
Badolato is looking to work some ground and pound but Hickock has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badolato loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Badolato with a flurry of punches that miss.
Badolato trying to control the position from guard on top but Hickock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Badolato tries to free his leg and advance position but Hickock is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hickock is on top in guard.
Hickock would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hickock preventing the sweep.

Badolato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hickock trying to control but Badolato is working from the bottom.

Badolato is looking for a triangle but Hickock pushes his legs off easily.
Hickock controlling from the top position.
Hickock postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock trying to control but Badolato is working from the bottom.

Badolato is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hickock postures up.
Badolato can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hickock controls the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Richard Hickock wasn't active enough on the ground.
Badolato feints and then cracks Hickock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hickock down.
Hickock throws a shot from downtown. Badolato moves away and avoids it.
Hickock scoring well with a low kick there.
Hickock connects with a looping right hand.
Badolato waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hickock.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Badolato!
A solid leg kick lands there for Hickock.
A slow jab from Hickock misses its intended target.
Badolato takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hickock does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Badolato uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hickock.
Badolato throws a right hand that misses
and Hickock counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Badolato slips a jab and a cross from Hickock.
Badolato avoids the body shot from Hickock.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Badolato, as that shot connected.
Badolato scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Badolato throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Richard Hickock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Darius Badolato's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A combination from Badolato does no damage.
Badolato throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Crunch! Hickock slams his shin into Badolato's torso.
Hickock wants to land a leg kick but Badolato is out of range.
Badolato stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hickock throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Badolato counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hickock won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Hickock's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Badolato connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hickock some visible discomfort.
Badolato with the ground and pound but Hickock regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hickock blocking the ground and pound attempt from Badolato.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock regains full guard. Nicely done.
Badolato forces his way into half guard.
Badolato not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Badolato landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Badolato seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hickock does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hickock tries to kick Badolato off but Badolato keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Badolato is keen to just control but Hickock is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hickock manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Badolato wants to control from the top but Hickock keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hickock working a defensive guard here.
Badolato pushing down on Hickock's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Badolato takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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!
Badolato seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hickock does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hickock trying to control from the bottom.
Badolato passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hickock!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badolato throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Badolato trying to control but Hickock is having none of it.
Hickock really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hickock holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Badolato tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Hickock is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickock sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Badolato is trying to control. Hickock wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Badolato throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hickock wants to control but Badolato is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Badolato is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badolato slips a nice elbow through Hickock's hands, connecting with Hickock's forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darius Badolato showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Badolato has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 49:47
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darius Badolato!
Darius Badolato retains his middleweight title!