PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dillon Stapleden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Willy Hardwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dillon Stapleden had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Stapleden
vs
Hardwood

165 cm
31
159 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

169 cm
37
142 lbs
28 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dillon Stapleden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Willy Hardwood!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stapleden fails to land with a series of punches.

Hardwood closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stapleden lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hardwood or not.
Hardwood is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hardwood tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stapleden tries to pull guard but Hardwood won't allow it.
Hardwood lands a body punch.
A short left from Hardwood.
Hardwood lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hardwood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Stapleden has Hardwood pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stapleden pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hardwood tumbling to the mat - Stapleden dives into Hardwood's guard.

Hardwood uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right hook to the body lands for Stapleden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hardwood working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hardwood presses Stapleden against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hardwood's coach down at Bruize Brothaz was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Hardwood's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hardwood blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hardwood tries to work over Stapleden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stapleden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hardwood lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stapleden backwards.
A short right from Hardwood.
Hardwood lands with a short shot to the head.
Stapleden blocks an uppercut.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Hardwood lands a shoulder strike.
Hardwood scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stapleden tries a body shot but Hardwood blocks it.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stapleden blocking some punches.
Good body shot from Stapleden.
Hardwood lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood lands with a short shot to the head.
Stapleden blocking some punches.
Stapleden tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hardwood just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardwood lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stapleden.
Stapleden lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stapleden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hardwood lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stapleden takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Stapleden - that landed with a thud.
Hardwood can't find room to land a body shot as Stapleden controls the action.
Stapleden is leaning against Hardwood and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stapleden lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hardwood blocks a body shot from Stapleden.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Stapleden lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hardwood lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stapleden backwards.
Good body shot from Stapleden.
Stapleden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Stapleden - that landed with a thud.
Stapleden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by Stapleden.
Stapleden scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stapleden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hardwood.
Stapleden misses with a body punch.
Stapleden being controlled against the cage.
Stapleden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stapleden lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hardwood.
Hardwood stops a takedown attempt from Stapleden.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dillon Stapleden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stapleden has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hardwood after a bit of a struggle.
Hardwood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stapleden misses with a body punch.
Hardwood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Hardwood scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stapleden content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Stapleden misses with a punch to the body.
Stapleden working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by Stapleden.
Stapleden is trying to drag Hardwood to the mat but Hardwood just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hardwood lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for Hardwood to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardwood has Stapleden pushed against the cage.
Stapleden tries to score a body lock takedown but Hardwood shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stapleden tries to work over Hardwood's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but Stapleden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardwood makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hardwood tries a body shot but Stapleden blocks it.

Stapleden works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willy Hardwood dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hardwood gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Hardwood.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stapleden has a couple of punches blocked by Hardwood.
Hardwood's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stapleden looking to stall.
Stapleden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Stapleden works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Hardwood has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Stapleden is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Hardwood lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stapleden jumps guard but Hardwood turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hardwood misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short right from Stapleden.
Stapleden takes a shot to the head.
Stapleden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stapleden jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hardwood walks away with a smile on his face. Stapleden gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Hardwood darts in and clinches Stapleden up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Hardwood.
Stapleden taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stapleden as Hardwood tries to tie him up.
Stapleden tries to throw a body punch but Hardwood avoids it by throwing Stapleden back against the cage.
Hardwood stalls.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardwood.
Stapleden has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hardwood after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dillon Stapleden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardwood is pressed up against the cage. Stapleden has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hardwood down to the mat. Hardwood avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stapleden tries to clinch there but Hardwood circles away.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.

Stapleden tries to keep at a distance but Hardwood has taken the fight into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Hardwood.
Hardwood struggles to land a body shot inside as Stapleden controls his hands.
A left hand lands to the body for Stapleden.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Hardwood throws a punch but it's blocked by Stapleden.
A left hand lands to the body for Stapleden.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stapleden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardwood gets through Stapleden's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stapleden pushes Hardwood back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hardwood gets through Stapleden's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Hardwood is trying to stall.
Hardwood lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stapleden backwards.
Hardwood content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hardwood lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hardwood throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardwood.
A right handed body shot lands from Stapleden.
Hardwood presses Stapleden against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stapleden lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stapleden as Hardwood tries to tie him up.
Hardwood prevents a body shot from Stapleden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hardwood working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Stapleden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stapleden misses with the head strike.
Stapleden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Stapleden taking a breather.
Stapleden lands a shot to the body.
Willy Hardwood seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hardwood will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stapleden up against the cage.
Hardwood lands a nice uppercut.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Hardwood.
Hardwood swings wildly with an uppercut but Stapleden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stapleden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardwood avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stapleden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
Stapleden blocking some punches.
Hardwood stalling in the clinch but Stapleden improves position.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hardwood as Stapleden tries to tie him up.
Hardwood scores with a shot to the side of Stapleden's head.
Stapleden misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardwood lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stapleden misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood prevents a body shot from Stapleden.
Hardwood is trying to maintain a safe position but Stapleden gets an underhook and turns Hardwood into the cage.
Hardwood misses with some punches.
Stapleden swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardwood uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short body shot lands from Stapleden as the two fighters clinch.
Stapleden stalls.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardwood pushes Stapleden back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Hardwood.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willy Hardwood showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - Stapleden circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stapleden.

Hardwood fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stapleden, pushing him back against the cage.
Hardwood lands with a right to the head.
Stapleden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hardwood's elbow.
Stapleden stalls.
Hardwood'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.
Stapleden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Stapleden.
Hardwood swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stapleden being controlled against the cage.
A short right from Hardwood.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Stapleden lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hardwood manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stapleden blocking some punches.
Stapleden tries to work over Hardwood's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stapleden misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stapleden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stapleden fails to pull guard.
Hardwood blocks a body shot from Stapleden.
Stapleden blocking some punches.
Hardwood scores with a shot to the side of Stapleden's head.
Hardwood blocks an uppercut.
Stapleden softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hardwood tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stapleden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Willy Hardwood is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Stapleden.
Hardwood lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stapleden backwards.
Stapleden throws a head punch that misses.
Hardwood being controlled against the cage.
Stapleden is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dillon Stapleden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardwood struggles to land a body shot inside as Stapleden controls his hands.
Stapleden tries to throw a body punch but Hardwood avoids it by throwing Stapleden back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stapleden misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stapleden tries to pull guard but Hardwood holds him up against the cage and eventually Stapleden drops back down to his feet.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Stapleden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Stapleden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stapleden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardwood avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardwood misses with some punches.
Stapleden jumps guard but Hardwood turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stapleden can't find room to land a body shot as Hardwood controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Hardwood fails to land.
Stapleden misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardwood gets underhooks to prevent Stapleden's takedown attempt.
Dillon Stapleden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood misses with a body punch.
Stapleden misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stapleden tries to pull guard but Hardwood won't allow it.
Stapleden scores with a shot to the side of Hardwood's head.
Stapleden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardwood stalling in the clinch.
Hardwood doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hardwood.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stapleden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stapleden tries to work over Hardwood's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stapleden struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardwood controls his hands.
Stapleden throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardwood.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Willy Hardwood.
I've got Hardwood winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Willy Hardwood!
Willy Hardwood very nearly forgot to thank Museum of Monsters & Madmen amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.