PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Willy Hardwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy DeVito (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.

Hardwood
vs
DeVito

169 cm
36
142 lbs
28 - 16 - 1

168 cm
34
157 lbs
26 - 14 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Machiavelli Boutique
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Willy Hardwood!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 3, fighting out of New York, Tommy DeVito!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardwood tries to clinch up
and DeVito counters with a series of strikes. Hardwood will be more careful next time no doubt.

Hardwood has DeVito up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
Hardwood lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt DeVito or not.
Hardwood lands with a short head shot on the inside.
DeVito leaning against his opponent.
DeVito stalling against the cage.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Hardwood is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVito is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hardwood is defending well for now.
DeVito blocking some punches.
Hardwood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by DeVito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVito throws an elbow but it misses.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
DeVito blocks a body shot from Hardwood.
Hardwood lands with a short shot to the head.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Hardwood lands a left hand.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, DeVito just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hardwood's brow.
DeVito lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
DeVito blocks an uppercut.
Hardwood misses with a shot to the kidneys.
DeVito makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hardwood on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but DeVito uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardwood.
DeVito is looking to control Hardwood's arms but Hardwood gets an underhook and turns him. Now DeVito has his back to the cage.
DeVito has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hardwood seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if DeVito can turn it around.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but DeVito uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardwood gets through DeVito's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardwood is trying to maintain a safe position but DeVito gets an underhook and turns Hardwood into the cage.
DeVito tries to throw a body punch but Hardwood avoids it by throwing DeVito back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DeVito blocking some punches.
DeVito tries to work over Hardwood's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hardwood controlling the action here for a moment.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
Hardwood tries a body shot but DeVito blocks it.
Hardwood has a couple of punches blocked by DeVito.
DeVito working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
Hardwood takes an elbow to the temple.
DeVito blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardwood is looking to control DeVito's arms but DeVito gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardwood has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVito stalling the fight.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
DeVito scores with a shoulder strike.
Hardwood working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
DeVito blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardwood looking to slow down the pace here.
Hardwood digs a right hand underneath DeVito's ribcage. DeVito let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Come on DeVito - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hardwood trying to control the position but instead, DeVito has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardwood into the cage.
Hardwood dodges an elbow strike from DeVito.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
DeVito misses with a hook from the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
DeVito is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardwood is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by DeVito.
Hardwood is looking to control DeVito's arms but DeVito gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardwood has his back to the cage.
A short uppercut from DeVito.
DeVito lands a shoulder strike.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
DeVito being controlled against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by DeVito.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DeVito's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
With the fighters up against the cage, DeVito throws an elbow but misses.
Hardwood takes an elbow to the temple.
DeVito misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
DeVito will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hardwood up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Willy Hardwood will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hardwood tries to clinch up but DeVito circles away and keeps his distance.
DeVito throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
DeVito swings widly with a right hand
and Hardwood counters with a stiff right hand.
DeVito scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Hardwood has closed the distance and engaged DeVito in a clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
DeVito tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
DeVito blocks an uppercut.
DeVito cracks Hardwood with a nice body shot.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
DeVito misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwood managing to block the knees to the body from DeVito.
Hardwood digs a right hand into DeVito's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on DeVito's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVito misses with some punches.
Hardwood lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of DeVito backwards.
DeVito'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.
DeVito blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVito being controlled against the cage.
DeVito misses with a hook to the ribs.
DeVito tries to land knees in the clinch but Hardwood avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
Hardwood blocks an elbow strike.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but DeVito uses good head movement to avoid it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stalling in the clinch from Hardwood.
A short body shot lands from DeVito as the two fighters clinch.
Hardwood displaying some good clinch control by pressing DeVito up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVito stalling the fight.
A body shot lands from DeVito.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardwood tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardwood.
DeVito throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hardwoods head.
DeVito looking to slow down the pace here.
DeVito lands a shoulder strike.
DeVito blocking some punches.
DeVito is trying to stall.
DeVito lands a body punch in the clinch.
DeVito tries to land knees in the clinch but Hardwood avoids the damage to the body.
Willy Hardwood has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hardwood dodges an elbow strike from DeVito.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardwood.
Hardwood being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVito stalling in the clinch but Hardwood improves position.
DeVito's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hardwood looking to stall.
DeVito blocks a body shot from Hardwood.
DeVito has Hardwood pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
Hardwood wants to stall.
DeVito gets through Hardwood's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
DeVito blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
DeVito misses with a punch to the body.
DeVito lands an uppercut.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
DeVito misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardwood has a couple of punches blocked by DeVito.
DeVito taking a breather.
DeVito has a couple of punches blocked by Hardwood.
DeVito scores with a shoulder strike.
Hardwood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Come on DeVito - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hardwood manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hardwood misses with a hook to the ribs.
DeVito blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardwood.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
DeVito stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
DeVito blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tommy DeVito will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

DeVito misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hardwood connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
DeVito throws a hook to the side of Hardwood's head but Hardwood sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeVito swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hardwood clinches up with DeVito and pushes him back against the cage.
DeVito misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardwood looking to stall.
Hardwood looking to stall.
DeVito lands with a short shot to the head.
Hardwood misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwood taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood trying to control the position but instead, DeVito has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardwood into the cage.
DeVito lands with a left to the head.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Hardwood.
DeVito is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardwood is keeping busy.
DeVito misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardwood doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hardwood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hardwood.
DeVito presses Hardwood against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
DeVito lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
DeVito taking a breather.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hardwood.
Hardwood tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hardwood doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardwood doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from DeVito.
Hardwood is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
DeVito blocks an uppercut.
Hardwood scores with a hook to the body.
A short uppercut from DeVito.
Hardwood is looking to control DeVito's arms but DeVito gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardwood has his back to the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hardwood.
DeVito scores with a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardwood.
Hardwood scores with a shot to the side of DeVito's head.

DeVito breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardwood gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hardwood tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hardwood was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
DeVito swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
DeVito connects with a solid leg kick.
DeVito circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab from DeVito.
Hardwood seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
DeVito throws out a loose jab but Hardwood uses good head movement to avoid it.
DeVito throws a shot from downtown. Hardwood moves away and avoids it.
DeVito fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hardwood.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeVito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hardwood uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from DeVito.
A nice leg kick lands there from DeVito.
DeVito misses with an uppercut. Hardwood saw that one coming.
Hardwood is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood wants to clinch up but DeVito keeps it at a distance.
DeVito keeps the fight on the outside.

Hardwood rushes DeVito and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from DeVito.
Hardwood is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hardwood goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hardwood trying to control the position but instead, DeVito has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardwood into the cage.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
Hardwood wants to stall.
DeVito digs a right hand underneath Hardwood's ribcage. Hardwood let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hardwood looking to stall.
The referee calls for DeVito to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy DeVito really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hardwood moves away from the strike by DeVito.
DeVito throws a head kick that misses.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeVito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
DeVito keeps the fight on the outside.
Hardwood wants to clinch up but DeVito keeps it at a distance.
DeVito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
DeVito avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
DeVito's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and DeVito duly obliges.
Hardwood tries to clinch but DeVito is having none of it.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from DeVito.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVito throws a leg kick but Hardwood sees it coming and moves out of range.
Willy Hardwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but DeVito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hardwood tries to clinch there but DeVito circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but DeVito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
DeVito looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but DeVito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardwood ducks right into an uppercut from DeVito.
Hardwood is looking to clinch but DeVito is avoiding it.
DeVito throws a body punch but Hardwood moves out of range.
Hardwood is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Donk. DeVito catches Hardwood right on the button with a cross.

Hardwood fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with DeVito, pushing him back against the cage.
DeVito has Hardwood pushed against the cage.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood presses DeVito against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
DeVito content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from DeVito.
The crowd are getting on DeVito's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hardwood as DeVito tries to tie him up.
Hardwood effectively controlling the action here.
DeVito doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
DeVito goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
DeVito is trying to maintain a safe position but Hardwood gets an underhook and turns DeVito into the cage.
DeVito lands a right hand.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by DeVito.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but DeVito uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hardwood is trying to maintain a safe position but DeVito gets an underhook and turns Hardwood into the cage.
Hardwood misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
DeVito misses with a punch on the inside.
DeVito can't find room to land a body shot as Hardwood controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVito working Hardwood over with knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hardwood softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hardwood avoids a wild elbow strike from DeVito.
DeVito lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hardwood backwards.
DeVito being controlled against the cage.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from DeVito.
DeVito misses with a body punch.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.

DeVito's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hardwood is looking to clinch but DeVito is avoiding it.
Sloppy strikes from DeVito. Those never looked like landing.
DeVito scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hardwood is looking to clinch but DeVito is avoiding it.
DeVito looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch up
and Hardwood takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tommy DeVito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from DeVito misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DeVito swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
DeVito lands the left hand.
DeVito avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
DeVito plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Hardwood is rocked!
DeVito looks to land a left hand but Hardwood moved out of range nicely.
Oh Hardwood is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hardwood tries to clinch up but DeVito circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeVito tests Hardwood's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy DeVito dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Hardwood is looking to clinch.
Hardwood seems to have got his legs back now.
DeVito misses with a looping right.
Hardwood appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
DeVito darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but DeVito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
DeVito swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
DeVito has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
DeVito throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hardwood counters with a nice body shot.
DeVito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hardwood throwing a counter right hand but DeVito manages to avoid it.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeVito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hardwood is looking to clinch.
Hardwood tries to clinch but DeVito is having none of it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from DeVito! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVito getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
DeVito rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardwood moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
DeVito jabbing away but nothing is landing.
DeVito throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hardwood's head.
Hardwood gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It seemed like DeVito was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hardwood tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
DeVito jabs Hardwood right on the nose. Hardwood blinks but takes it well.
DeVito attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
DeVito lands with a kick to the ribs.
DeVito dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hardwood wants to clinch up but DeVito keeps it at a distance.
DeVito lands with a kick to the temple. Hardwood shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hardwood lands a jab.

Hardwood instigates a clinch.
Hardwood is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but DeVito is keeping busy.
Hardwood misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVito tries to throw a body punch but Hardwood avoids it by throwing DeVito back against the cage.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
DeVito lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DeVito lands a right hand.
Willy Hardwood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardwood is trying to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Hardwood fails to land.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
DeVito works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hardwood is trying to maintain a safe position but DeVito gets an underhook and turns Hardwood into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
DeVito lands a shot to the body.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Hardwood fails to land.
Hardwood misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardwood lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVito works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hardwood stalling in the clinch but DeVito improves position.
DeVito gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by DeVito.
DeVito leaning his opponent against the cage.
DeVito lands a right hand.
Hardwood is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
DeVito is stalling here.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tommy DeVito is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hardwood effectively controlling the action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardwood.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hardwood is working DeVito over against the cage.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
DeVito throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hardwoods head.
DeVito blocks an uppercut.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
Hardwood lands with a right to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeVito.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy DeVito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think DeVito has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy DeVito!
Tommy DeVito is the new featherweight champion!
Tommy DeVito decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.