PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Hardin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Walker will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hardin
vs
Walker

200 cm
25
151 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ethan Hardin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Walker!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hardin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Walker's half guard.
Hardin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hardin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hardin thows a huge punch but Walker dodges it nicely.

Hardin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Walker is just riding it out for now. Hardin eventually gives up the hold.

Hardin 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardin is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Walker is just riding it out for now. Hardin eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Walker wants to get back to his feet.

Hardin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Walker defends it well.

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.
Hardin misses with a head shot. Walker uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hardin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hardin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Walker, up you get!
Hardin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Walker counters with a three punch combo that has Hardin backing up. Hardin nods at Walker to acknowledge the strikes.
Walker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hardin circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Walker or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardin, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Walker has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hardin is on him like a limpet, forcing Walker back against the cage.
Walker looking for a takedown.
Ethan Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Walker.
Hardin is struggling to control the position.
Hardin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Walker.
Hardin lands a shot to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hardin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hardin is trying to pull guard but Walker has him pressed against the cage.
Hardin slows down the pace here.
Walker tries to pull guard but Hardin won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Walker tries for a takedown. No joy.

Hardin jumps guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardin has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Walker has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Hardin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Walker is trying to break the clinch but Hardin is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hardin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Walker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hardin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Hardin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hardin rushes Walker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardin taking a breather.

Hardin pulls Walker into guard.
Hardin wants to stand up but Walker is controlling him.
Walker wants to control from the top but Hardin keeps moving.
Ethan Hardin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Walker stands up and waves to Hardin to follow him.
Hardin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Walker can do to turn this around?
Walker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hardin pinned against the cage. Hardin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker misses with a takedown attempt
and Hardin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Walker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ethan Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Walker.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hardin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Walker up against the cage.
Hardin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Walker avoids it.
Walker is trying to push Hardin away but Hardin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Hardin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Walker tries to keep at a distance but Hardin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hardin stalling against the cage.
Hardin slowing the pace effectively.
Hardin gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Hardin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Walker just stands there and leans against the cage.
Walker has Hardin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hardin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hardin leaning against his opponent.
Hardin looking for a takedown.
Hardin missing with knees to the body.
Hardin has Walker pressed against the cage, preventing Walker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardin has Walker pushed against the cage.
Hardin avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ethan Hardin.
Walker shoots for a takedown but Hardin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Hardin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hardin jumps guard but Walker stands there with Hardin around his waist. Hardin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Walker being controlled against the cage.

Hardin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hardin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hardin wants it to stay on the feet.
Walker fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hardin thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hardin circles away.
Walker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Walker misses with a takedown attempt - Hardin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Walker shoots in but no luck this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hardin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Walker's guard.
Hardin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Walker is proving hard to escape from.

Walker scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Hardin dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Walker shoots for a takedown but Hardin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Walker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Walker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardin swivels and escapes.
Johnny Walker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hardin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Walker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Walker throws Hardin to one side and escapes!
Hardin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Walker.
Ethan Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Walker.

Walker gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hardin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walker has a closed guard, preventing Hardin from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Walker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hardin gets to his feet. Walker looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardin has Walker up against the cage in a clinch.

Hardin successfully pulls guard.
Hardin trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Walker trying to control but Hardin is working from the bottom.
Hardin working a defensive guard here.
Hardin wants to stand and escape but Walker is having none of it.
Walker wants to control from the top but Hardin keeps moving.
Hardin keeping full guard, as Walker tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker trying to control but Hardin is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardin shoots in for a double leg but Walker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hardin shoots in looking for a takedown but Walker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hardin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Walker wants to counter with a clinch but Hardin pushes him away.
Walker shoots in and drives through. Hardin sprawls well.
Walker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Walker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hardin as he jumps to the side.
Hardin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Walker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker 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 Walker off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Walker. No joy for Hardin on that attempt.

Hardin forces Walker back against the cage and clinches.
Walker can't get the takedown.
Hardin misses with a punch to the body.

Hardin turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Hardin manages to end up in side control.

Hardin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Walker is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Walker, who protects the arm well.
Walker tries to escape but Hardin is in control.

Hardin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hardin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Johnny Walker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ethan Hardin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hardin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Walker has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hardin but great work by Walker.

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 Ethan Hardin.
Well Hardin 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ethan Hardin!