PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Hardman (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.

Cross
vs
Hardman

224 cm
23
287 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

191 cm
26
273 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Magnus Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruce Hardman!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardman lands a right hook to the body.
Cross slips under a jab from Hardman.
Cross changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cross just misses with a punch to the body.
Cross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardman throws out the jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Cross misses its target.
Hardman lands a nice looking body kick.
Hardman lands a leg kick that knocks Cross off balance momentarily.
Bruce Hardman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice cross by Hardman.

It looks like Magnus Cross has been cut.
Cross smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cross connects with a nice looking jab.
Hardman throws a hook to the side of Cross's head but Cross sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cross dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cross slips under a jab from Hardman.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hardman. That's going to slow Cross down.
Nice body punch from Cross.
Cross is looking to wear down Hardman with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hardman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cross misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardman.
A jab from Cross does it's job there.
Hardman throws a lazy body kick
and Cross counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross works the jab nicely.
Cross smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice straight punches there by Cross. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cross.
Cross misses with a wild combination.
Cross throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hardman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A swing and a miss from Cross.
Cross throws a series of punches but Hardman moves out of range.
Cross misses with a right hand
and Cross takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cross looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hardman avoids the body shot from Cross.
Cross is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hardman throws a series of punches but Cross avoids them all with ease.
Hardman lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hardman.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross stalks Hardman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hardman's face. Hardman staggers backwards, shaken.
Hardman lands with a nice body punch.
Cross wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Cross has Hardman up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardman misses with a punch to the body.
Hardman scores with a shot to the side of Cross's head.

Cross manages to pull guard.
Cross wants to stand but Hardman is controlling the position.
Hardman advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardman is controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Hardman has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hardman wants to pass to mount but Cross is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman wants to stand up but Cross is controlling the position.
Cross wants to get back to his feet.
Hardman works his foot free and advances to mount.
Cross working to try and regain half guard.
Hardman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hardman with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardman won't let Cross get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardman wants to control the pace but Cross is squirming around nicely.
Hardman takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Cross is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Hardman controlling his opponent.
Cross wants to hold on but Hardman pushes him away.
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 Magnus Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Magnus Cross's cut.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hardman throws a leg kick which misses Cross's front leg but catches the back leg as Cross tries to avoid it.
Magnus Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Cross throws out a powerful jab.
Cross feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hardmans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hardman misses with an uppercut.
Cross takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sloppy strikes from Hardman. Those never looked like landing.

Hardman closes the distance and clinches.
Cross prevents a body shot from Hardman.
Cross has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Cross breaks the clinch.
Hardman misses with a looping left.
Cross misses with a looping right.
Hardman has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Hardman throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
Cross bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hardman's head.
Cross cracks Hardman with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cross scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hardman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hardman manages to avoid it.
Cross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hardman, right into the meat.
Hardman slips under a jab.
Hardman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

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

Cross is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cross misses with a body shot.
Oh Cross is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hardman throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
A jab from Cross does it's job there.
Cross seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters circling - Cross throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cross sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Hardman misses with an uppercut. Cross saw that one coming.
Hardman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hardman tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hardman moves out of range of the strikes.
Cross throws a hook to the side of Hardman's head but Hardman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hardman is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardman throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.
Hardman lands a nice looking body kick.
Cross throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hardman misses the jab.
A jab from Cross misses.
Hardman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Hardman.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Hardman.
Hardman throws a series of punches but Cross moves out of range.
Hardman misses with a body kick.
Cross bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hardman's head backwards.
Hardman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardman unleashes a big counter combination but Cross bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hardman takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cross connects with a nice looking jab.
Cross slips a jab and a cross from Hardman.
A solid body kick from Hardman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a lazy right hand but Hardman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hardman misses with the combination.
Cross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hardman.
Hardman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cross throws a series of punches but Hardman avoids them all with ease.
Nice body kick there by Hardman.
Cross throws a hook but Hardman blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.
Cross rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Hardman to counter with a crisp jab.
Hardman cracks the inside of Cross's front leg.
Hardman misses with a hook. Cross ducked under it nicely.
Hardman lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cross darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hardman throws a sloppy head kick and Cross moves out of range easily.
Hardman throws a shot from downtown. Cross moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardman throws a lazy head kick
and Cross counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardman darts in trying to clinch
and Cross counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hardman thinking.
Hardman is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed right hand from Hardman misses the target.
Nice shot by Cross.
Bruce Hardman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cross throws out the jab.

Cross gets a clinch.

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cross pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hardman does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Cross is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Cross scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hardman doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cross throws a series of punches but Hardman avoids them all with ease.
Hardman swings for the body but Cross moves out of range.
Cross is looking to counter the offense by Hardman and move into the clinch.
Hardman attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
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 Magnus Cross will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Magnus Cross's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cross avoids the head kick by Hardman.
As Hardman tries to get set, Cross tries to push him back and clinch up but Hardman manages to avoid the attempt.
Hardman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cross was well out of range. Poor timing from Hardman.
Cross swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hardman tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hardman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cross moves away.
Cross throws a hook but Hardman blocks it.
Hardman blocks a jab.
Hardman is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Cross throws out a loose jab but Hardman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardman blocks a jab.
Hardman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cross connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cross lands a glancing blow to the side of Hardman's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Cross misses the target.
Hardman tries to land a front kick but Cross steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A good leg kick by Hardman.
A cross from Cross lands.
Hardman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hardman looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hardman.
Cross throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hardman cracks Cross with a good jab.
Hardman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardman looks to land a left hand but Cross moved out of range nicely.

Cross has Hardman up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hardman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hardman lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
Cross is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hardman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardman misses with some punches.
Cross tries to pull guard but Hardman holds him up against the cage and eventually Cross drops back down to his feet.
Cross prevents a body shot from Hardman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cross.
Nice body punch from Hardman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cross wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cross is looking to break free of the clinch but Hardman has double underhooks.
Hardman pushes Cross back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardman lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Cross's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hardman struggles to land a body shot inside as Cross controls his hands.
Hardman is leaning against Cross and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Hardman.
Hardman throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Crosss head.
Hardman cracks Cross with a nice body shot.
Hardman misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardman misses with a body punch.
Cross is looking to break free of the clinch but Hardman has double underhooks.
Cross is trying to force a seperation but Hardman has the dominant position.
Hardman misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardman creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cross wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardman lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.
Hardman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bruce Hardman seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.
Hardman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
A short body shot lands from Hardman as the two fighters clinch.
Hardman lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hardman lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.
Hardman dips a shoulder and cracks Cross with a mighty uppercut! Cross falls back against the cage and Hardman unloads with a barrage of strikes! Cross is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Hardman screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bruce Hardman!