PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between William James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fenton Hardy (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.

James
vs
Hardy

190 cm
24
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

One stop Shop

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, William James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fenton Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Hardy.
James tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
James wants to clinch.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
James scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
James scores with a jab. Hardy acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
James fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hardy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James lands with a kick to the temple. Hardy shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
James throws a front kick that sends Hardy stumbling back into the cage.
Hardy blocks a head kick by James.
Hardy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
James is looking to clinch.
Hardy keeps the fight on the outside.
Hardy with the counter takedown but James avoids it easily.

James has managed to clinch.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but James is controlling the position.
James lands with a left to the head.
Hardy taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
James is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Hardy successfully pulls guard.
Hardy wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hardy looking for submissions from the bottom but instead James passes into half guard.
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 is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy gets back to full guard.
Hardy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hardy looking to pass the guard.
Hardy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hardy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of James's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy prevents James from getting back to his feet.
Hardy tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Hardy from controlling successfully.
Hardy sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed James's guard.
Hardy with the ground and pound but James uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William James dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

James wants to clinch.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hardy can do to turn this around?
Hardy avoids the head kick by James.

James has closed the distance and engaged Hardy in a clinch.
James lands a nice knee to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
James landing knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James stalling in the clinch but Hardy improves position.
James stalling in the clinch.
Hardy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James digs a right hand underneath Hardy's ribcage. Hardy let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but James has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
James is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
James lands a nice uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from James.
James scores with a shoulder strike.
Hardy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
James is looking to control Hardy's arms but Hardy gets an underhook and turns him. Now James has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy jumps guard but James turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hardy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. James smiles and moves away.
William James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fenton Hardy.

Hardy takes the fight into the clinch.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
James lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
James working hard to break the clinch.
James scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a right to the head.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short left from James.
James working hard to break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hardy tries to pull guard but James holds him up against the cage and eventually Hardy drops back down to his feet.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hardy backwards.
Hardy blocks a body shot from James.
The referee calls for James to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James wants to break free but Hardy has control.
James lands with a light punch inside.
James scores with a shot to the side of Hardy's head.
Hardy can't get the takedown.
Hardy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. James just stands there and leans against the cage.
James will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hardy up against the cage.
James lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A shot in the inside from James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William James dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardy looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.
Hardy with a poor takedown
and James counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hardy misses the body punch
and James counters with a series of strikes. Hardy will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hardy throws an overhand right that lands on James's shoulder, as James tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
James half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
James stuffs the takedown attempt from Hardy. Hardy gets slowly back to his feet.

Hardy shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. James manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hardy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
James avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is wriggling around but Hardy manages to pass to half guard.
Hardy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hardy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fenton Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hardy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardy missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
William James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hardy on the side of the head.

Hardy scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hardy drops an elbow to the side of James's head.
Hardy tries to pass to full mount but James defends it.
Hardy wants to take a breather but James is having none of it.
Hardy throwing shots but James is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks James with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Hardy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Hardy eventually gives up the hold.
James has hold of Hardy's hands but Hardy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James is staying active underneath Hardy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hardy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control James haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hardy on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract James.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James tries to clinch up but Hardy circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
William James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A combination from James does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fenton Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think James 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight for William James!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for William James!
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight for William James!

William James wins by unanimous decision!