PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Muse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dickie Hardwood (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.

Muse
vs
Hardwood

170 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Muse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dickie Hardwood!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hardwood clinches.
Hardwood dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hardwood is stalling here.

Muse pulls guard effortlessly.
Muse looking for a sweep. Not yet Muse, not yet.

Muse has his foot on Hardwood's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hardwood works his way back into a safe position though.
Hardwood looking to sit in guard and control but Muse gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood keeping moving, preventing Muse from controlling successfully.
Hardwood is controlling Muse's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muse trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardwood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hardwood is looking for a triangle but Muse pushes his legs off easily.

Muse has gone for a leg lock! Hardwood slips out almost immediately though and dives into Muse's guard.

Hardwood is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Muse wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardwood works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hardwood trying to control the pace.
Hardwood prevents Muse from improving his position.
Muse is in trouble now - Hardwood has advanced to mount!

Hardwood jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Muse is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Muse and Hardwood has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Muse's face as Hardwood controls the position.
Hardwood wants to take a breather but Muse manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Hardwood.
Muse wants to sweep here but Hardwood controlling him for the moment.
Hardwood tries to free his leg and advance position but Muse is retaining full guard.
Hardwood controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Let's hope that Hardwood has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hardwood trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hardwood must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hardwood trying to control the position from guard on top but Muse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muse looking for a sweep. Not yet Muse, not yet.

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

Hardwood gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Muse jumps into guard, dragging Hardwood to the mat.
Hardwood stopping the sweep attempt from Muse.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muse swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hardwood preventing the sweep.
Hardwood pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Muse is keeping the position for now.
Hardwood keeps trying to improve his position.
Muse manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardwood manages to get himself to full guard.

Muse looking to sit in guard and control but Hardwood gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Muse can't keep his opponent in guard - Hardwood advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Muse trying to control from the bottom.
Hardwood prevents Muse from improving his position.
Hardwood is pressing down on Muse's thigh, looking to free his foot. Muse is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hardwood is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Muse doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hardwood.

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

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Muse works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hardwood is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hardwood stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muse swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Muse controls Hardwood momentarily but Hardwood frees himself.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Muse manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardwood manages to get himself to full guard.

Muse trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardwood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muse sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hardwood's guard.

Muse is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hardwood is holding on to half guard well.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood is looking to improve his position.

Hardwood is defending against the submission attempts here by Muse.

Muse is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hardwood doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Muse.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Muse is keen to just control but Hardwood is a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dickie Hardwood will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hardwood moves into the clinch successfully.

Muse jumps guard and drags Hardwood to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hardwood trying to control the position from guard on top but Muse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muse lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muse won't allow Hardwood to sweep him here.
Muse trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hardwood looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muse wants to control from the top but Hardwood keeps moving.
Muse looking to pass the guard.
Hardwood looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Muse wants to control from the top but Hardwood keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hardwood is controlling Muse's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dickie Hardwood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hardwood has closed the distance and engaged Muse in a clinch.
Hardwood avoiding damage.

Muse manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hardwood sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Muse's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardwood is working for a submission of some sort.
Hardwood content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hardwood trying to mount his opponent but Muse defends it.
Muse wants to control but Hardwood is keeping busy.

That's four 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.

Hardwood looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hardwood controlling the action here.

Hardwood is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Muse doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hardwood.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Hardwood is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Muse is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hardwood pulls his head out easily.

Hardwood is trying to work for a kimura but Muse is defending well.
Muse is in trouble now - Hardwood has advanced to mount!

That's six 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.
Muse is wriggling around trying to escape.
Muse tries to hold on but Hardwood postures up.

Hardwood wants to finish this one by submission but Muse is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hardwood.

Hardwood goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Muse turns into him and now he's in Hardwood's guard.
Hardwood trying to control the position here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood working a defensive guard here.
Muse trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hardwood is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Muse rolls with it to try and escape but Hardwood cranks on the arm and Muse is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dickie Hardwood!