PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lindsey Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pesho Mahlenski (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.

Hardy
vs
Mahlenski

186 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 Hilo, Lindsey Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pesho Mahlenski!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mahlenski is defended easily by Hardy.
Hardy tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mahlenski defends well and Hardy ends up having to push Mahlenski into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Mahlenski won't allow it.
Mahlenski is pressed up against the cage. Hardy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mahlenski down to the mat. Mahlenski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mahlenski misses with a takedown
and Hardy counters with a head kick.

Mahlenski clinches with his opponent.

Hardy drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mahlenski wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Hardy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mahlenski trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy keeping full guard, as Mahlenski tries to pass.
Mahlenski preventing the sweep.

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

Mahlenski drives through and clinches with Hardy against the cage.
Mahlenski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hardy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lindsey Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pesho Mahlenski.

Hardy manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Mahlenski from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mahlenski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mahlenski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mahlenski trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hardy controls Mahlenski momentarily but Mahlenski frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mahlenski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mahlenski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hardy is keeping the position for now.
Hardy wants to stand up but Mahlenski is controlling him.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Mahlenski from controlling successfully.
Hardy wants to stand up but Mahlenski is controlling him.
Hardy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahlenski trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Pesho Mahlenski.
Mahlenski closes the distance and clinches up with Hardy, looking for a takedown. Mahlenski pushes Hardy against the cage but Hardy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hardy dives in and grabs Mahlenski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mahlenski pushes down on Hardy's head and hops out.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Hardy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hardy throws a leg kick but Mahlenski sees it coming and moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mahlenski.
Hardy will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahlenski misses with a takedown
and Hardy makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Mahlenski closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Mahlenski is looking for a kimura but Hardy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mahlenski to get the leverage.
Hardy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mahlenski wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Mahlenski postures up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hardy wants to hit a switch here but Mahlenski passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hardy there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pesho Mahlenski dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck for Mahlenski with that takedown attempt.
Mahlenski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardy swivels and escapes.
Hardy lands a head kick!
Mahlenski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hardy but Hardy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lindsey Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pesho Mahlenski.
Hardy throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pesho Mahlenski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardy tests Mahlenski's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mahlenski checks it well.
Hardy connects with a single shot there.
Mahlenski misses with a takedown
and Hardy counters with a low kick, right behind Mahlenski 's knee.
Hardy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hardy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mahlenski.
Mahlenski is breathing heavily.

Mahlenski shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hardy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mahlenski stops Hardy from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahlenski trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Mahlenski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hardy has control of Mahlenski's left arm, preventing Mahlenski from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lindsey Hardy.

Hardy gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mahlenski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mahlenski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hardy tries to strike from the bottom.
Mahlenski trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mahlenski stopping the sweep attempt from Hardy.
Mahlenski wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Mahlenski stands and throws Hardy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hardy is not content to let Mahlenski control the position.
Mahlenski connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hardy some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahlenski working the ground and pound.
Hardy is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mahlenski is controlling him well.

Mahlenski tries for a kimura but Hardy is defending well.

Mahlenski thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hardy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hardy manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mahlenski's best efforts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mahlenski is trying to control the action in half guard but Hardy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy pushes Mahlenski off looking to stand but Mahlenski dives back in and keeps control.
Hardy is refusing to be controlled, as Mahlenski sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pesho Mahlenski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mahlenski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hardy as he avoids it easily.
Mahlenski tries for a takedown but Hardy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mahlenski checks a leg kick.
Mahlenski fails to land the takedown.
Lindsey Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pesho Mahlenski.
Donk. Hardy catches Mahlenski right on the button with a cross.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardy closes the distance and clinches up with Mahlenski, looking for a takedown. Hardy pushes Mahlenski against the cage but Mahlenski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mahlenski checks a leg kick.
Mahlenski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardy sprawls well. Hardy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mahlenski gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mahlenski tries for a takedown but Hardy circles away easily
and Hardy counters with a big head kick but Mahlenski shrugs it off.
Mahlenski avoids the head kick by Hardy.

Hardy clinches with his opponent.
Mahlenski stops a takedown attempt from Hardy.
Mahlenski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mahlenski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hardy to keep the fight standing.
Mahlenski is trying to pull guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mahlenski is defending well.
Hardy is trying to drag Mahlenski to the mat but Mahlenski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Mahlenski is controlling the position.
Hardy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mahlenski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardy prevents the takedown attempt.
Mahlenski fails to pull guard.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hardy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardy goes for a takedown attempt but Mahlenski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mahlenski fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahlenski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hardy. Hardy obviously looking to wear him down.
Pesho Mahlenski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahlenski 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.
Mahlenski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hardy's waist but Hardy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mahlenski off to one side.
A bone on bone clash there as Mahlenski blocks the leg kick.
Hardy connects with a solid leg kick.
Mahlenski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Hardy looking to score a takedown here. Mahlenski is defending well but Hardy drives through and ends up in Mahlenski's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy wanted to stand there but Mahlenski had control of the position.
Mahlenski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hardy is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Lindsey Hardy wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mahlenski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hardy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardy with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lindsey Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pesho Mahlenski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hardy throws a hook but Mahlenski avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lindsey Hardy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mahlenski 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pesho Mahlenski!