PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sal Phelps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardy has chosen "We Are" by Hollywood Undead as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Phelps
vs
Hardy

177 cm
24
215 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sal Phelps!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hardy is defended easily by Phelps.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Phelps fails with the takedown.
Phelps fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Phelps defends it nicely.
Hardy closes the distance and clinches up with Phelps, looking for a takedown. Hardy pushes Phelps against the cage but Phelps circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sal Phelps has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Hardy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Phelps moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Phelps.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy shoots in looking for a takedown but Phelps manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hardy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hardy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Phelps avoids it really well and circles away.
Phelps keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Phelps counters with a two punch combo.
Phelps misses with a body shot.
Xavier Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phelps avoids the head kick by Hardy.
Some wild striking there from Hardy.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Phelps as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Phelps.
Phelps slaps away a takedown attempt from Hardy, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Phelps moves into the clinch.
Phelps tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hardy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Phelps tries to pull guard but Hardy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Phelps tries to pull guard but Hardy won't allow it.

Phelps decides to pull guard.
Hardy stays in close to Phelps's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phelps 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.

Phelps throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Phelps working for submissions but it's allowed Hardy to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phelps tries to get to full guard but Hardy has control of the leg.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hardy in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sal Phelps will probably get the nod.
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 gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hardy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Phelps gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hardy has Phelps pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Phelps manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phelps wants to break the clinch but can't.
Phelps is trying to maintain a safe position but Hardy gets an underhook and turns Phelps into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phelps works on Hardy's body with a couple of short punches.

Hardy breaks from the clinch.
Phelps fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hardy avoids it really well and circles away.
Hardy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hardy wants it to stay on the feet.
Phelps just misses with a punch to the body.
Hardy shoots in and drives through. Phelps sprawls well.
Sal Phelps has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Hardy.
Phelps throws a body kick that misses.
Hardy throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Phelps.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy shoots in and drives through. Phelps sprawls well.
Phelps is looking to clinch.
Phelps could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hardy.
Hardy lands a two punch combo.

Hardy moves into range and clinches up with Phelps.

Phelps escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice sprawl there from Hardy as Phelps shoots in.
Hardy lands a head kick!
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!

Hardy darts in and clinches Phelps up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phelps successfully pulls guard.

Hardy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Phelps, up you get!

Hardy rushes Phelps and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Hardy manages to pull guard.

Phelps gets to his feet - Hardy follows without any prompting.
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Phelps looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Hardy. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Phelps dodges the punch combination from Hardy.

Hardy has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phelps jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hardy walks away with a smile on his face. Phelps gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hardy goes for a double leg but Phelps avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Phelps continues to drive forward.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Phelps prevents the takedown attempt.
Phelps tries to pull guard but Hardy holds him up against the cage and eventually Phelps drops back down to his feet.

Phelps pulls guard successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phelps wants to get back to his feet but Hardy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Phelps keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Hardy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hardy throws a quick inside leg kick.

Hardy instigates a clinch.

Hardy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hardy rushes Phelps and presses him up against the cage.

Hardy breaks the clinch.
Phelps swings for the body but Hardy moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phelps shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardy tries to sprawl out of it but Phelps keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardy fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Phelps but Phelps pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sal Phelps has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Hardy.
Phelps lands a nice looking body shot.
Phelps pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phelps stuffs the takedown.
Hardy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phelps.
Phelps scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hardy doesn't seem bothered though.

Phelps drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hardy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy sneaks back into half guard.

Hardy is defending against the submission attempts here by Phelps.

Phelps is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Phelps.

Phelps is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hardy has managed to free his arm - good work.
Phelps tries to stand and escape but Hardy actually recovers to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Phelps wants to stand but Hardy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hardy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Phelps pushes Hardy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Phelps tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Phelps tries to pull guard but Hardy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Phelps fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sal Phelps showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Phelps 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

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