PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nicola Cardinale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Cardinale
vs
Hayes

182 cm
27
180 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

179 cm
26
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicola Cardinale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Hayes!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayes moves out of range as Cardinale strikes.
Cardinale connects with an inside leg kick.
Hayes throws a series of punches but Cardinale avoids them all with ease.
Hayes fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Hayes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hayes misses with a jab to the body
and Cardinale counters with an inside leg kick.
Hayes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cardinale throws a head kick that Hayes semi-blocks.
Cardinale takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hayes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cardinale.
A little jabbing left from Hayes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cardinale seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hayes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cardinale.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cardinale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hayes.
Cardinale feints and then cracks Hayes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hayes down.

Hayes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Hayes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hayes trying to control the position but Cardinale is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinale manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Cardinale not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hayes holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hayes taking some punishment here, with Cardinale in his half guard.

Cardinale is looking for a kimura here.
Hayes wants to control but Cardinale is keeping busy.
Cardinale is trying to control. Hayes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Cardinale is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hayes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Cardinale trying to control the position from guard on top but Hayes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cardinale with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hayes has his foot on Cardinale's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cardinale works his way back into a safe position though.
Hayes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cardinale's guard.

Cardinale working for a triangle but Hayes defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hayes is looking to work some ground and pound but Cardinale has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes lands a couple of elbows.
Hayes wants to control from the top but Cardinale keeps moving.
Cardinale has control of Hayes's left arm, preventing Hayes from doing any damage.

Cardinale looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cardinale looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cardinale is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Cardinale looking for a guillotine here but Hayes defends easily.
Cardinale is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four 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.

Cardinale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hayes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hayes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hayes stopping the sweep attempt from Cardinale.
Hayes trying to control but Cardinale is working from the bottom.
Cardinale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hayes is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Hayes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hayes goes for a double leg but Cardinale avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cardinale continues to drive forward.
Cardinale throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hayes's head.
Cardinale misses with an uppercut.
Cardinale lands a lovely overhand right.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cardinale.
Cardinale misses with a body kick.
Hayes scores with a jab to the body.
Cardinale is looking to land body kicks.
A big right from Cardinale misses.
Hayes throws a shot from downtown. Cardinale moves away and avoids it.
An inside leg kick from Hayes misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cardinale throws a big shot that misses.
Cardinale tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hayes defends well and Cardinale ends up having to push Hayes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hayes throws a shot from downtown. Cardinale moves away and avoids it.
Cardinale throws a body kick that misses.
Hayes scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardinale throws out a leg kick but Hayes moves out of range and Cardinale only half commits.
Hayes looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes misses with a leg kick.
Hayes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Nicola Cardinale has been cut.
Hayes shoots in for a takedown but Cardinale shows good takedown defense.
A quick step to the side and Cardinale tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardinale throws the left hand but Hayes avoids the punch easily.
Cardinale lands a slapping body shot.
Hayes misses with a lunging right hand
and Cardinale counters with a low kick, right behind Hayes 's knee.
Cardinale blocks a jab.
Hayes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cardinale scores with a kick to the body.
Hayes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Cardinale throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hayes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cardinale circles away quickly and effectively.
Cardinale slips under a jab.
Michael Hayes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cardinale shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hayes sprawls well. Hayes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cardinale gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardinale throws a body kick that misses
and Hayes counters with a straight right hand.
Cardinale lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hayes throws a looping overhand right but Cardinale ducks down to avoid it.
Hayes throws a hook but Cardinale avoids it easily.
Hayes bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cardinale's head backwards.
Hayes on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cardinale, right into the meat.
Cardinale displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hayes throws out the jab.
Cardinale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hayes.
Hayes blocks a head kick by Cardinale.
Cardinale with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cardinale throws a low kick but Hayes avoids it.
Cardinale looks for the body kick but Hayes saw that one coming.
Cardinale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardinale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayes throws a looping overhand right but Cardinale ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Hayes does it's job there.
Hayes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hayes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cardinale attempts a counter takedown but Hayes avoids it well and moves away.
Nicola Cardinale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Hayes.
Cardinale staying out of range there.
Cardinale stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cardinale throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hayes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cardinale chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cardinale uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hayes.

Cardinale gets a double leg takedown into Hayes's guard.
Cardinale wants to control from the top but Hayes keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayes controls Cardinale momentarily but Cardinale frees himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hayes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Cardinale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cardinale working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hayes pulls Cardinale in close to prevent any damage.
Hayes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hayes checks a low kick from Cardinale.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicola Cardinale dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nicola Cardinale's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cardinale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cardinale throws a solid leg kick but Hayes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cardinale.
Hayes throws a one two combo.
Hayes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cardinale thuds his shin into the meat of Hayes's side.
Cardinale is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hayes misses with a double jab
and Cardinale counters with an inside leg kick.
Cardinale moves out of range of the strikes.
Hayes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cardinale circles away quickly and effectively.
Cardinale throws a front kick aimed at Hayes's knee but Hayes avoids it well.
Cardinale connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hayes momentarily.
Hayes checks a leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Hayes blocks the low kick.
Hayes misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cardinale throws a solid leg kick but Hayes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cardinale.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinale scores with a head kick.
Cardinale showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hayes.
A cross from Hayes lands.
Hayes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cardinale throws a lazy uppercut
and Hayes counters with a one-two to the body.
Good leg kick by Cardinale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cardinale tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardinale throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hayes moves away from the strike by Cardinale.
Nicola Cardinale is winning the standup battle so far.
Hayes throws a leg kick
and Cardinale counters with a thumping low kick.
Cardinale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hayes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cardinale defends it well.
Cardinale connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hayes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cardinale is fending him off so far but Hayes persists. Nope, Cardinale circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinale scores with a shot to the body.
Hayes throws a series of punches but Cardinale moves out of range.
Hayes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hayes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cardinale thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hayes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hayes misses with a double jab.
Hayes misses with a combination
and Cardinale counters with an outside leg kick.
Cardinale feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hayess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cardinale misses with a body kick.
Hayes looks to land a right hand but Cardinale moved out of range.
Cardinale looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hayes with the counter takedown but Cardinale avoids it easily.
Hayes is looking to slow Cardinale down with leg kicks.
Hayes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes misses with a combination
and Cardinale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cardinale connects with a solid leg kick.
Cardinale throws a leg kick but Hayes checks it.
Hayes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cardinale.
A jab from Hayes misses.
Cardinale thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hayes if he has to take too many more of those.
Hayes scores with a nice right hand.
Good leg kick by Cardinale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cardinale misses with a wild body shot.
Hayes throws a series of punches but Cardinale moves out of range.
Hayes has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cardinale.
Hayes lands a jab.
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!
Cardinale throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardinale fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hayes is out of range.
Hayes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hayes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cardinale.
Hayes misses with a hook.
Cardinale lands with a hook. Hayes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hayes slips a jab from Cardinale.
Hayes connects with a looping right hand.
Cardinale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A countering left hand to the body from Hayes misses.
Cardinale doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cardinale is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Nicola Cardinale's cut is getting worse.
Cardinale dodges the punch combination from Hayes.
Hayes throws a low kick, looking for Cardinale's leg but Cardinale calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nicola Cardinale.
Well Cardinale has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:28

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