PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gegard Mousasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and A J Hearts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mousasi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Faded. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mousasi
vs
J Hearts

191 cm
34
208 lbs
31 - 9 - 1

179 cm
34
222 lbs
33 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gegard Mousasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, A J Hearts!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Hearts.
Mousasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hearts.

Hearts throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mousasi was covering up waiting for the punch and Hearts finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mousasi seems keen to control Hearts's posture.
Mousasi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hearts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mousasi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hearts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mousasi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hearts has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hearts stands up over Mousasi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hearts wants to control from the top but Mousasi keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mousasi holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearts looking to pass the guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Mousasi looking for a guillotine here but Hearts defends easily.
Mousasi can't keep his opponent in guard - Hearts advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mousasi gets back to full guard.
Mousasi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hearts wants to control from the top but Mousasi keeps moving.
Mousasi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hearts moves out of range of the body kick.
A shot to the liver by Hearts. Beautiful body shot.
A J Hearts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hearts throws a jab but it's blocked by Mousasi.
Hearts throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mousasi on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Hearts misses
and Mousasi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hearts is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nice takedown defense from Mousasi. No joy for Hearts on that attempt.
Mousasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hearts.
Hearts throws a body shot but no joy.
Hearts fails with a takedown attempt.
Hearts misses with a body shot.
Mousasi slaps away a takedown attempt from Hearts, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gegard Mousasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of A J Hearts.
Mousasi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mousasi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Hearts gets a clinch.
Hearts throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mousasi lands an uppercut.
Hearts lands a hook that snaps the head of Mousasi backwards.
Mousasi lands a hook that snaps the head of Hearts backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mousasi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hearts backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hearts.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hearts.
Hearts doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mousasi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mousasi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hearts is keeping busy.
Hearts tries to work over Mousasi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mousasi blocking some punches.
Hearts can't find room to land a body shot as Mousasi controls the action.
Hearts misses with a body punch.
Mousasi misses with some punches.
A short left from Hearts.
Hearts tries for a takedown but Mousasi manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A J Hearts dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mousasi misses with a wild body shot.
Hearts lands the left hand.
Hearts looks to score with a jab to the body but Mousasi is just out of range.

Hearts fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mousasi, pushing him back against the cage.
Hearts can't find room to land a body shot as Mousasi controls the action.
Hearts throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mousasis head.

It looks like Gegard Mousasi has been cut.
A shot in the inside from Mousasi.
Hearts lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mousasi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hearts swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hearts.
Hearts has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hearts misses with a body punch.
Mousasi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hearts digs a right hand underneath Mousasi's ribcage. Mousasi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hearts blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hearts misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Hearts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hearts creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mousasi throws a head punch that misses.
Mousasi trying to stall but Hearts improves his position.
Mousasi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hearts lands a left hand.
Mousasi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mousasi lands a shoulder strike.

Hearts has picked Mousasi up - he's going for a ride! Hearts dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hearts prevents Mousasi from improving his position.
Hearts not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hearts takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Mousasi is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi trying to control but Hearts postures up.
Hearts thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mousasi's head.
Hearts trying to control the action but Mousasi is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hearts has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hearts bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mousasi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mousasi wants it to stay on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hearts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hearts lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearts throws a big shot that misses.
Mousasi staying out of range there.
Hearts looks to land a right hand but Mousasi moved out of range.
Mousasi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hearts doesn't seem bothered though.
Hearts shoots in for a takedown but Mousasi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Hearts gets the takedown into side control.
Hearts working the head with strikes.
Mousasi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hearts thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mousasi's head.
Hearts trying to pass the guard but Mousasi defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearts missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mousasi gets full guard.
Hearts is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hearts wants to control from the top but Mousasi keeps moving.
Mousasi is trying to keep Hearts in close.
Hearts looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A J Hearts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Gegard Mousasi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hearts misses with a body kick.
A left lands for Mousasi.
Mousasi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hearts throws a poor cross that misses
and Mousasi counters with a stiff right hand.
A J Hearts seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mousasi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hearts. Hearts obviously looking to wear him down.
Hearts tries to close the distance and clinch but Mousasi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hearts misses with a body punch
and Mousasi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hearts slips a straight right by Mousasi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hearts fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mousasi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A jab from Hearts misses.
Jab by Mousasi.
Hearts cracks Mousasi with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hearts moves into the clinch.
Mousasi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hearts is looking for a takedown.
Hearts lands with a right to the head.
Mousasi misses with some punches.
Mousasi lands a body punch.
I was talking to Mousasi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hearts fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mousasi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mousasi is trying to stall.
Hearts goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hearts has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mousasi after a bit of a struggle.
Mousasi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hearts tries a body shot but Mousasi blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearts has a couple of punches blocked by Mousasi.
Hearts can't find room to land a body shot as Mousasi controls the action.
Hearts tries to throw a body punch but Mousasi avoids it by throwing Hearts back against the cage.
A J Hearts seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mousasi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hearts.
Gegard Mousasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of A J Hearts.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hearts lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hearts working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Mousasi.
Hearts controlling the action here for a moment.
Mousasi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Mousasi.
Mousasi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hearts.
Mousasi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hearts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi lands a shoulder strike.
Mousasi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hearts backwards.
Mousasi working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mousasi.
Mousasi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hearts tries for a takedown but Mousasi manages to get underhooks.
Hearts looking for a takedown.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mousasi.
Hearts misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mousasi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hearts.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hearts throws a punch but it's blocked by Mousasi.
Mousasi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hearts working aggressively here.
Mousasi misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi stalling in the clinch but Hearts improves position.
Hearts scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hearts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mousasi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hearts misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hearts lands with a left to the head.
Mousasi working aggressively here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Hearts fails to land.
Hearts goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mousasi prevents it.
Mousasi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hearts is trying to stall.
Mousasi working aggressively here.
Mousasi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mousasi working aggressively here.
Hearts blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegard Mousasi clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gegard Mousasi's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mousasi throws a shot from downtown. Hearts moves away and avoids it.
A good leg kick by Mousasi.
Hearts misses with an uppercut
and Mousasi counters with a nice body kick.
Hearts's corner calls for a 1-2. Hearts obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice shot by Mousasi.
Mousasi looks to land a body kick but Hearts moved away.
Hearts lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mousasi circles away quickly and effectively.
Hearts looks to land a right hand but Mousasi moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick from Hearts.
Mousasi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hearts moves out of range as Mousasi strikes.
Hearts looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mousasi feints and then cracks Hearts's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hearts down.
Hearts changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mousasi tries to avoid it but Hearts manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mousasi to the ground. Mousasi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hearts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mousasi manages to avoid it.
Hearts misses with the body kick

and Mousasi counters with a takedown into side control.
Mousasi wants to control but Hearts is keeping him busy.
Mousasi is really struggling to control Hearts but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hearts gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi trying to control but Hearts is having none of it.
Hearts keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mousasi trying to control but Hearts is having none of it.
Mousasi throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hearts because Mousasi loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mousasi seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Hearts is holding on tight.
Mousasi is working hard here to advance position.
Mousasi throwing strikes here but Hearts is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hearts can't escape the position.
Mousasi looking to ground and pound but Hearts is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mousasi controlling the position easily from mount.
Mousasi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hearts holds of for dear life.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegard Mousasi had his way with A J Hearts in that round.
The cut man is working on Gegard Mousasi's cut.
That's time! Mousasi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hearts shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mousasi is staying active underneath Hearts, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mousasi tries to get to full guard but Hearts has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hearts wants to pass to mount but Mousasi is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mousasi controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearts sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mousasi defending well though.
Mousasi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hearts seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hearts throws a body shot but no joy.
Hearts lands with a thumping leg kick.
A slow jab from Hearts misses its intended target.
Mousasi misses with an uppercut. Hearts saw that one coming.
Mousasi moves away from the strike by Hearts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hearts.
Hearts misses the jab.
Hearts throws the left hand but Mousasi avoids the punch easily.
Hearts thows a leg kick but Mousasi checks it

and Mousasi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Mousasi is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hearts preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearts's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Mousasi prevents Hearts from improving his position.
Mousasi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hearts defending well though.

Mousasi is looking for a kimura but Hearts is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mousasi to get the leverage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hearts tests Mousasi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice shot by Hearts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearts takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hearts jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hearts shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mousasi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hearts tries to close the distance and clinch but Mousasi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mousasi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mousasi looks to land a left hand but Hearts moved out of range nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hearts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hearts is looking to clinch but Mousasi is avoiding it.
Hearts fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mousasi avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to A J Hearts.
I think Hearts 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... A J Hearts!
A victorious A J Hearts thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Gegard Mousasi stepped up to the mic, saying 'Well played'.