PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brian Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Escobarre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Escobarre has chosen Xzibit- Alcoholic as his entrance music. Pablo Escobarre has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Hardy
vs
Escobarre

195 cm
21
187 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
182 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Powerful

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

Sun-Tzu
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Hardy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pablo Escobarre!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobarre misses with a lunging right hand
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Escobarre's coach down at Dojo of pain was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Escobarre's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hardy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A combination from Escobarre does no damage.
Escobarre misses with a looping left.
Hardy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hardy digs a good hook to Escobarre's body.
Hardy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Escobarre, as that shot connected.
Hardy slips a straight right by Escobarre.
We've been told by Hardy's head coaches at LOD: Ground Zero that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Escobarre misses with a hook
and Hardy counters with a stiff right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. Escobarre does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobarre is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Hardy tries to keep at a distance but Escobarre has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hardy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Escobarre connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Hardy does no damage.
Hardy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Escobarre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Hardy.
Hardy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hardy misses with a body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Hardy. That snapped Escobarre's head back.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. Escobarre does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardy's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hardy duly obliges.

It looks like Pablo Escobarre has been cut.
Hardy scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Escobarre fails in his attempt to clinch.
Escobarre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice straight punches there by Hardy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hardy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hardy moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Escobarre misses with a straight left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. Escobarre does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Escobarres jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Brian Hardy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Escobarre ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.
Escobarre looks to land a left hand but Hardy moved out of range nicely.
A quick step to the side and Hardy tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobarre uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Escobarre tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hardy blocks a jab.
Escobarre throws a poor cross that misses
and Escobarre takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hardy shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Escobarre swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hardy counters with a left and a right that stings Escobarre.
Escobarre takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Escobarre drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hardy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Escobarre.
Escobarre controls from within his opponent's guard.
It looks like Escobarre might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Escobarre wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy wants to stand up but Escobarre is controlling him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hardy walks into a stiff left hand from Escobarre.
Hardy tries to bum rush Escobarre with a series of wild strikes but Escobarre uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Escobarre missing with a left hand there. Hardy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Escobarre goes for a double leg but Hardy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hardy continues to drive forward.
Escobarre misses with an uppercut
and Hardy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hardy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Hardy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pablo Escobarre's cut.
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 works the jab nicely.
Escobarre scores with a hook to the body. Hardy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Escobarre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hardy gets tackled into the cage by Escobarre. Escobarre maintains the clinch.
Hardy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hardy tries to break free but Escobarre pushes him back against the cage.
Escobarre jumps guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Escobarre swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobarre swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Escobarre keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Escobarre is controlling the position.
Hardy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Escobarre's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Escobarre is trying to pull guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Hardy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Escobarre closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Escobarre lands in his opponent's guard.
Escobarre pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hardy is keeping the position for now.
Escobarre trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Escobarre sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hardy wants to get back to his feet but Escobarre is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Escobarre drops back looking for a leg! Hardy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hardy manages to kick Escobarre off! Escobarre jumps back into Hardy's guard.

Hardy has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Escobarre off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hardy swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hardy.
Hardy scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hardy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobarre throws out the jab.
Hardy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Escobarre can do to turn this around?
A slow jab from Hardy misses its intended target.
Escobarre defending well as Hardy loads up on a big left hand.
Brian Hardy is winning the standup battle so far.
A combination from Hardy does no damage.
Escobarre steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hardy.
Hardy moves away from the strike by Escobarre.
Escobarre clobbers Hardy with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hardy misses with a hook.
Escobarre misses with a hook. Hardy ducked under it nicely.

Escobarre closes the distance and pushes Hardy back into the cage.
Hardy tries to break free but Escobarre pushes him back against the cage.
Escobarre misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Escobarre ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Escobarre no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Escobarre working a defensive guard here.
Escobarre is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Escobarre is proving hard to escape from.

Hardy decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Escobarre looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hardy throws a big counter combination but Escobarre scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escobarre wants to clinch up but Hardy keeps it at a distance.
Escobarre misses with a left hand
and Hardy counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brian Hardy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pablo Escobarre's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hardy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hardy throws a jab when Escobarre was well out of range.
Escobarre scores with a shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Hardy. No joy for Escobarre on that attempt.
It looked like Hardy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Escobarre scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hardy lands a right hook to the body.
Escobarre pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Escobarre slips under a jab.
Escobarre is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Escobarre misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobarre.
Escobarre closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Escobarre walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobarre wants to clinch up but Hardy keeps it at a distance.
Hardy is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Escobarre tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hardy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Escobarre somewhat.
Hardy throws the left hand but Escobarre avoids the punch easily.
Hardy walks into a left hand.
Escobarre swinging wildly here.
Jab from Hardy.
Escobarre might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Escobarre fails to land with a series of punches.
Escobarre ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escobarre lands a jab.
Escobarre gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hardy jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Escobarre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hardy.
Escobarre misses with the combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Escobarre saw that one coming.
Escobarre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hardy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hardy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hardy slips a straight right by Escobarre.

Escobarre fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hardy to the ground. Escobarre is now in Hardy's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre won't allow Hardy to get back to his feet.
Escobarre looking to pass the guard.
Hardy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Escobarre on the ground.
Escobarre's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Pablo Escobarre has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hardy is looking to stand up but Escobarre isn't so interested in that idea.
Escobarre trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hardy uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre shoots and misses
letting Hardy counter with a right hand.
Brian Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Escobarre.
Escobarre scores with a decent looking hook.
Escobarre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Escobarre saw that one coming.
Hardy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Escobarre clinches up against the cage.
Escobarre has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A short uppercut from Escobarre.
Escobarre misses with a punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Escobarre.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardy.
Escobarre lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hardy wants to get back to striking at distance but Escobarre won't allow it.
Escobarre is trying to pull guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Pablo Escobarre just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Pablo Escobarre's cut.
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.

Hardy slips a straight right by Escobarre.
A little feinted left hand from Hardy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Escobarre throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hardy looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobarre is just out of range.
Hardy lands with a nice combination. Escobarre backs away looking to recover.
A combination from Hardy does no damage.
Escobarre with the counter takedown but Hardy avoids it easily.

Escobarre rushes Hardy and presses him up against the cage.

Escobarre manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hardy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hardy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobarre has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hardy has managed to get both his arms back between Escobarre's legs - danger averted.

Escobarre is working an open guard so Hardy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy lands a two punch combo.
Hardy misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobarre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hardy.
Hardy with a jab.
The crowd cheers as Hardy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Escobarre doesn't seem phased though.
Escobarre throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hardy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Escobarre misses with a hook
and Hardy counters with a straight right hand.
Hardy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Escobarre jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd cheers as Hardy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Escobarre doesn't seem phased though.
Escobarre takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Escobarre ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hardy moves away.
Hardy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobarre misses with a left hand
and Hardy counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 connects with the punch.

Escobarre is rocked!
Escobarre looks to land a right hand but Hardy moved out of range.
Escobarre is still on wobbly legs! Can Hardy finish him?
Escobarre throws an off balance right hand
and Hardy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Escobarre seems to have recovered his senses.
Hardy scores with a body shot.

Escobarre closes the distance and clinches.
Escobarre stalling against the cage.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Escobarre has him pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Hardy tries to circle away but Escobarre has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy lands a hook that snaps the head of Escobarre backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre cracks Hardy with a nice body shot.
Escobarre swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardy's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Escobarre swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.

Escobarre jumps guard and drags Hardy to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hardy wants to stand but Escobarre has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Escobarre throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hardy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobarre looks to land a left hand but Hardy moved out of range nicely.
Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hardy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardy throws the left hand but Escobarre avoids the punch easily.
Hardy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobarre throws out the jab.
Hardy ducks right into an uppercut from Escobarre.
Hardy slips a straight right by Escobarre.
Hardy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobarre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hardy counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Hardy had his way with Pablo Escobarre in that round.
The cut man is working on Pablo Escobarre's cut.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hardy lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Escobarre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hardy swings for the body but Escobarre moves out of range.
Escobarre misses with an uppercut
and Hardy counters with a straight right hand.
Escobarre slips a jab from Hardy.
Escobarre misses with a body shot
letting Hardy counter with a right hand.
Escobarre throws a lazy uppercut
and Hardy counters with a straight right hand.
Hardy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Escobarre.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardy misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobarre misses the jab.
Hardy slips under a jab.
Escobarre's corner calls for a 1-2. Escobarre obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hardy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Escobarre doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardy scores with a jab. Escobarre acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Hardy gets tackled into the cage by Escobarre. Escobarre maintains the clinch.
Escobarre taking a breather.
Escobarre working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Escobarre throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardy.
Escobarre lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Hardy breaks the clinch.
Hardy throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobarre uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Escobarre looks to land a combination but Hardy avoids it well.
Escobarre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy lands with a hook. Escobarre tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hardy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Escobarre uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Escobarre looks to land a right hand but Hardy moved out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Escobarre darts in and clinches Hardy up against the cage.
Escobarre lands a hook that snaps the head of Hardy backwards.
Escobarre keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Escobarre tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Escobarre throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardy.
Escobarre misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pablo Escobarre has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardy.
Escobarre is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hardy to keep the fight standing.
Escobarre lands with a right to the head.
Escobarre fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Escobarre throws a head punch that misses.
Escobarre lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Hardy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Escobarre misses with a body shot
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Escobarre slips a jab from Hardy.
A shot to the liver by Hardy. Beautiful body shot.
Escobarre throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hardy cracks Escobarre with a good jab.
A punch lands to the side of Escobarre 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Escobarre clinches up with Hardy and pushes him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escobarre throws a head punch that misses.
Escobarre looking to stall.
A short uppercut from Escobarre.

Escobarre pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hardy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hardy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Escobarre is proving hard to escape from.
Brian Hardy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Escobarre throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

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 Brian Hardy.
I think Hardy 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Gold scores the fight 50:45
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Hardy!
Brian Hardy retains his welterweight title!