PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lance Hardwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Lindgraf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardwood comes to the cage accompanied by Stone Sour - Last Of The Real. Mats Lindgraf will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hardwood
vs
Lindgraf

175 cm
26
145 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

225 cm
25
130 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lance Hardwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mats Lindgraf!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lindgraf closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lindgraf is looking for a takedown.

Hardwood escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hardwood scores with a decent looking hook.
Hardwood misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardwood lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lindgraf backs up against the cage.

Lindgraf is rocked!
Hardwood lands a lovely overhand right.
Lindgraf is still on wobbly legs! Can Hardwood finish him?
Lindgraf keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lindgraf is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Lindgraf takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hardwood swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lindgraf shoots in and drives through. Hardwood sprawls well.
Lindgraf tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hardwood sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lindgraf somewhat.
Lance Hardwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lindgraf avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardwood throws out a loose jab but Lindgraf uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lance Hardwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lindgraf takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hardwood misses with a straight right.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hardwood, right into the meat.
Hardwood feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lindgraf's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood digs a good hook to Lindgraf's body.
Hardwood listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lindgraf moves out of range as Hardwood strikes.
Hardwood throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hardwood, as that shot connected.
Hardwood connects with a crisp jab.
Lindgraf shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardwood tries to sprawl out of it but Lindgraf keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardwood manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lindgraf changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hardwood tries to avoid it but Lindgraf manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hardwood to the ground. Hardwood escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lindgraf looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardwood looks to land a left hand but Lindgraf moved out of range nicely.
Lindgraf tries to clinch there but Hardwood circles away.
Hardwood misses with the combination.
Hardwood throws a series of punches but Lindgraf moves out of range.
Lindgraf wants to counter with a clinch but Hardwood pushes him away.
Lindgraf tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hardwood paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwood is looking to counter punch.
Lance Hardwood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Lindgraf closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hardwood breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardwood manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lindgraf avoids the body shot from Hardwood.
Hardwood fails to land with a series of punches.
A countering left hand to the body from Lindgraf misses.
Hardwood lands an overhand right.
Hardwood throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lindgraf will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardwood misses with a jab to the body

and Lindgraf counters with a shoot takedown. Hardwood fights it but they end up in guard.
Lindgraf must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lindgraf stops Hardwood from standing up.
Lindgraf looking to sit in guard and control but Hardwood gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardwood trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lindgraf's guard.
Lindgraf seems to have recovered his senses.
Hardwood trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Lindgraf striking off his back but it's not causing Hardwood any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lindgraf looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hardwood wants to get up but he can't break Lindgraf's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Hardwood decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lindgraf, up you get!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardwood. Lindgraf does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardwood cracks Lindgraf with a good jab.
Decent striking displayed by Hardwood there.
Lindgraf shoots in but Hardwood avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hardwood rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lindgraf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lindgraf displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardwood throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Lindgraf.
Hardwood throws a hook but Lindgraf avoids it easily.
Hardwood misses with a hook. Lindgraf ducked under it nicely.
Hardwood will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf avoids the body shot from Hardwood.
Lindgraf ducks under a wild hook from Hardwood.
Hardwood scores with a jab to the head.
Hardwood fails to land with a series of punches.

Lindgraf closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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!
Lindgraf is nestled in close to Hardwood, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hardwood is trying to stand.
Lindgraf is looking to take a break and control but Hardwood is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lindgraf is looking for a kimura but Hardwood is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lindgraf to get the leverage.
Lindgraf is keen to just control but Hardwood is a slippery customer.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Hardwood dominated that round.
That's time! Hardwood's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lindgraf is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lindgraf tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardwood misses with a looping right.
Lindgraf throws out a counter right but Hardwood avoids it with no problem.
Hardwood fails to land with a series of punches.
Hardwood throws an overhand right that lands on Lindgraf's shoulder, as Lindgraf tries to avoid the shot.
Lindgraf changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hardwood.
Lindgraf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hardwood.
Hardwood throws a jab when Lindgraf was well out of range.
Lindgraf looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hardwood buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hardwood throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lindgraf.
Hardwood thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lindgraf tries to counter with a clinch but Hardwood shakes him off and moves away.
Hardwood misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Hardwood misses.
Lindgraf lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lindgraf will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
It looked like Hardwood wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hardwood throws an off balance right hand
and Lindgraf counters with a series of strikes. Hardwood will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hardwood rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lindgraf cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hardwood lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lindgraf circles away quickly and effectively.
Lindgraf is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hardwood tries to bum rush Lindgraf with a series of wild strikes but Lindgraf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lindgraf! But no joy.
Lindgraf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hardwood.
Lindgraf steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hardwood.
Hardwood swings for the body but Lindgraf moves out of range.
Lindgraf shoots in but no luck this time.
Lance Hardwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.
Hardwood ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lindgraf avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardwood throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lindgraf is defended easily by Hardwood.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardwood throws an overhand right that lands on Lindgraf's shoulder, as Lindgraf tries to avoid the shot.
Lindgraf's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hardwood connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lindgraf scrambles back to his feet.
Hardwood misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lindgraf.
Lindgraf steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hardwood.
Hardwood is looking to score with low kicks.
Lindgraf tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hardwood fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lindgraf manages to avoid it.
Lindgraf tries to close the distance and clinch but Hardwood swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hardwood.
Lindgraf slips a straight right by Hardwood.
Hardwood fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lindgraf unleashes a big counter combination but Hardwood bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lindgraf fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A big right from Hardwood misses.
Hardwood scores with a jab to the head.
Lindgraf throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardwood throwing a counter right hand but Lindgraf manages to avoid it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lindgraf lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hardwood has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hardwood and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Lindgraf displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardwood throws out the jab.
Lindgraf is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hardwood misses with an uppercut.
Hardwood with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hardwood throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lindgraf's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lindgraf or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardwood, which made it look bad.
A jab from Hardwood misses.
Lindgraf stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hardwood.
Lindgraf shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardwood tries to sprawl out of it but Lindgraf keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardwood manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf shoots in but Hardwood avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lindgraf takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hardwood looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hardwood throws a right hand that Lindgraf ducks under and follows up with a left that Lindgraf also avoids with ease.
Lindgraf wants to counter with a clinch but Hardwood pushes him away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardwood throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lindgraf is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lindgraf shoots in but no luck this time.
Hardwood lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hardwood misses with a looping right.
Lindgraf lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lance Hardwood is winning the standup battle so far.
Hardwood misses with a hook.
Hardwood scores with a leg kick.
Hardwood slaps away a takedown attempt from Lindgraf, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Hardwood dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardwood moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hardwood scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hardwood keeps the fight on the outside.
Hardwood jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardwood smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hardwood throws a good cross that connects.
Hardwood is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lindgraf can do to turn this around?
Hardwood misses with a low kick.
Lindgraf throws a counter combo.
Hardwood throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lindgraf slips a jab from Hardwood.
Hardwood throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lindgraf lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lindgraf moves into the clinch.
Hardwood is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Hardwood breaks the clinch.
Hardwood throws a jab but it's blocked by Lindgraf.
Lindgraf changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hardwood catches Lindgraf with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindgraf slips a straight right by Hardwood.
Hardwood moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hardwood rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lindgraf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lindgraf's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hardwood connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lindgraf scrambles back to his feet.
Hardwood tries to land a leg kick but Lindgraf saw it coming and moves away.
Lindgraf is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hardwood misses the shot to the body.
Hardwood feints and then cracks Lindgraf's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lindgraf down.
Hardwood throws a hook but Lindgraf blocks it.
Lindgraf tries to counter with a clinch but Hardwood shakes him off and moves away.
Lance Hardwood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardwood attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hardwood throws an off balance right hand
and Lindgraf counters with an inside leg kick.
Lindgraf misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lindgraf avoids the body shot from Hardwood.
No joy there for Hardwood, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood looks to score with a jab to the body but Lindgraf is just out of range.
Lindgraf unleashes a big counter combination but Hardwood bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lindgraf avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lindgraf throws a counter combo.
Hardwood connects with a single shot there.
Hardwood throws a nice looking combination but Lindgraf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lindgraf shoots in for a double leg but Hardwood sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lance Hardwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardwood falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lindgraf counters by moving into the clinch.

Hardwood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lindgraf shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lindgraf tries for a takedown but Hardwood sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lindgraf blocks a jab.
Hardwood looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lindgraf slips a straight right by Hardwood.
An inside leg kick lands from Hardwood.
Hardwood turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood slaps away a takedown attempt from Lindgraf, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hardwood throws a series of punches but Lindgraf moves out of range.
Lindgraf wants to counter with a clinch but Hardwood pushes him away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hardwood.
Lindgraf slips a jab and a cross from Hardwood.
Hardwood stuffs the takedown attempt from Lindgraf. Lindgraf gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice cross by Hardwood.
Hardwood takes a swing at Lindgraf's ribcage but misses.
Hardwood waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lindgraf.
Hardwood throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lindgraf let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hardwood throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hardwood swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Hardwood.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lindgraf shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lindgraf was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lindgraf trying to control the action but Hardwood is working from the bottom.
Lindgraf prevents Hardwood from escaping the position.
Lindgraf is staying tight to Hardwood's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Hardwood wants to get back to his feet.
Mats Lindgraf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lindgraf creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hardwood sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lance Hardwood showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hardwood, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lance Hardwood!
Lance Hardwood thanked the fans post fight for their support.