PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Hardin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Barnpunk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Victor Barnpunk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hardin
vs
Barnpunk

174 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

200 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Kevin Hardin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Victor Barnpunk!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnpunk shoots in for a double leg but Hardin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Barnpunk has Hardin up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Barnpunk walks away with a smile on his face. Hardin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Barnpunk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Barnpunk lands a big head kick that sends Hardin tumbling to the mat! Barnpunk takes a step backwards and waves Hardin back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Kevin Hardin has been cut.
Barnpunk darts in looking for a takedown but Hardin gets double underhooks and turns Barnpunk into the cage.
As Barnpunk looks to move away, Hardin throws a big counter combo bu Barnpunk just gets out of the way.
Kevin Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Barnpunk.

Barnpunk fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hardin, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Barnpunk obliges.
Hardin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Barnpunk fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barnpunk with a poor takedown
and Hardin counters with a series of strikes. Barnpunk will be more careful next time no doubt.
Victor Barnpunk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnpunk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hardin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hardin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hardin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Barnpunk lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hardin backwards.
Hardin tries for a takedown. No joy.

Barnpunk manages to break the clinch.
Hardin wants to clinch.
Barnpunk closes the distance and clinches up with Hardin, looking for a takedown. Barnpunk pushes Hardin against the cage but Hardin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barnpunk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnpunk misses with a two punch combination.
Hardin appears to be looking for a big counter.

Hardin tries to keep at a distance but Barnpunk has taken the fight into the clinch.
Barnpunk looking for a takedown.
Barnpunk is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barnpunk tries to work over Hardin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hardin tries to score a body lock takedown but Barnpunk shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hardin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hardin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Barnpunk prevents it.
Barnpunk lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hardin backwards.

Barnpunk breaks the clinch.
Kevin Hardin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnpunk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hardin avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnpunk shoots for a double leg takedown but Hardin sprawls well. He's pushed Barnpunk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Barnpunk looks winded!
Barnpunk keeps the fight on the outside.
Despite the aggression on Barnpunk's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Barnpunk is looking to clinch.
Barnpunk shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardin tries to sprawl out of it but Barnpunk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnpunk with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hardin counters with a left and a right that stings Barnpunk.
Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnpunk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Hardin backs off Barnpunk throws a huge counter combo but Hardin manages to avoid it all.

Hardin has Barnpunk up against the cage in a clinch.
Barnpunk lands with a right to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnpunk manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Barnpunk trying to keep a closed guard but Hardin is proving a slippery customer.
Hardin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Barnpunk's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardin trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Barnpunk managing to control the position.
Barnpunk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Barnpunk dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Hardin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barnpunk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hardin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barnpunk somewhat.
It looked like Hardin was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnpunk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hardin tries to keep at a distance but Barnpunk has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hardin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Barnpunk gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hardin tries to score a body lock takedown but Barnpunk shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Barnpunk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnpunk lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barnpunk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barnpunk manages to break the clinch.
Hardin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barnpunk.
Hardin seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Barnpunk fails with a takedown attempt.
Kevin Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Barnpunk.
Barnpunk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardin swivels and escapes.
Barnpunk is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barnpunk.
Barnpunk keeps the fight on the outside.
Barnpunk fails with a takedown attempt.

Barnpunk gets tackled into the cage by Hardin. Hardin maintains the clinch.
Hardin can't get the takedown.
Hardin prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barnpunk lands a knee to the head.
Hardin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Victor Barnpunk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hardin blocks an uppercut.
Hardin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Barnpunk gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hardin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Barnpunk after a bit of a struggle.

Hardin gets control of Barnpunk's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hardin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Barnpunk postures up in Hardin's guard and throws a big left but Hardin blocks it.
Barnpunk slips nicely into half guard.
Barnpunk throwing shots but Hardin is blocking nicely.
Barnpunk has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hardin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barnpunk.
Barnpunk missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hardin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Barnpunk on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnpunk works his foot free and advances to mount.

Barnpunk is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hardin has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hardin!
Barnpunk wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardin wants to stand and escape but instead Barnpunk has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Barnpunk wants to control from the top but Hardin keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Barnpunk drives through and clinches with Hardin against the cage.
Hardin wants to take the fight to the mat but Barnpunk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Barnpunk lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Barnpunk stalls.
Hardin prevents the takedown attempt.
Barnpunk lands a nice knee to the body.
Barnpunk lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hardin backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barnpunk has Hardin pressed against the cage.

Barnpunk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Barnpunk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kevin Hardin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnpunk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardin tries to clinch there but Barnpunk circles away.

Barnpunk cracks Hardin with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Barnpunk has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Hardin to stand back up!

Hardin is rocked!
Hardin is looking to clinch but Barnpunk is avoiding it.
Oh Hardin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Barnpunk takes the fight into the clinch.

Barnpunk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barnpunk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnpunk fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Barnpunk misses with a series of wild punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnpunk shoots in for a double leg but Hardin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barnpunk dives in for a single leg takedown but Hardin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hardin swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kevin Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Barnpunk.

Barnpunk closes the distance and clinches.

Barnpunk breaks the clinch.
Hardin blocks a head kick by Barnpunk.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardin wants to clinch.
Hardin wants to clinch up but Barnpunk keeps it at a distance.
Hardin seems to have got his legs back now.
Barnpunk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hardin stuffs the takedown attempt from Barnpunk. Barnpunk gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barnpunk missing with a left hand there. Hardin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hardin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Barnpunk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnpunk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Victor Barnpunk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barnpunk shoots in for a takedown but Hardin shows good takedown defense.
Hardin tries to clinch up.
Hardin wants to clinch up but Barnpunk keeps it at a distance.
Hardin tries to clinch there but Barnpunk circles away.
Hardin is looking to clinch but Barnpunk is avoiding it.
Barnpunk throws a sloppy head kick and Hardin moves out of range easily.
Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barnpunk swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardin fails with an attempt to clinch.
And Barnpunk tries to counter it with a takedown but Hardin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hardin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hardin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardin avoids a kick to the body.
Hardin tries to clinch but Barnpunk is having none of it.
Hardin tries to clinch up.
Despite the aggression on Barnpunk's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Barnpunk throws a head kick but Hardin moves out of range.
Hardin tries to clinch up but Barnpunk circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardin moves in looking to clinch but Barnpunk pushes him off.
Barnpunk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hardin's waist but Hardin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barnpunk off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnpunk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardin fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hardin clinches.
Hardin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Barnpunk pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Barnpunk is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardin is keeping busy.
Hardin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Barnpunk prevents Hardin from breaking the clinch.
Hardin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Barnpunk has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hardin after a bit of a struggle.
Barnpunk is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hardin is working for takedown but Barnpunk is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hardin can't get the takedown.

Barnpunk jumps guard and drags Hardin to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Barnpunk is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardin is looking to stand up but Barnpunk won't let him.

Barnpunk pushes Hardin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Barnpunk keeps the fight on the outside.
Victor Barnpunk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Barnpunk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hardin is fending him off so far but Barnpunk persists. Nope, Hardin circles away and we're back to standing.
Barnpunk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnpunk shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardin sprawls well. Hardin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barnpunk gets slowly back to his feet.
Barnpunk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kevin Hardin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardin throws a series of punches but Barnpunk avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Barnpunk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Barnpunk has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor Barnpunk!