PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Willy Hardwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boyd McGuire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGuire has chosen Five Finger Death Punch - The Way Of The Fist as his entrance music. Boyd McGuire has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hardwood
vs
McGuire

169 cm
37
142 lbs
29 - 17 - 1

170 cm
28
154 lbs
12 - 7 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Willy Hardwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 2, fighting out of New York, Boyd McGuire!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
McGuire thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hardwood if he has to take too many more of those.
Hardwood tries to clinch but McGuire is having none of it.
Hardwood moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
McGuire throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardwood.
Hardwood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGuire tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A solid leg kick lands there for McGuire.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hardwood forces McGuire back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Hardwood fails to land.
Hardwood lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hardwood scores with an uppercut up the middle.

McGuire breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood darts in trying to clinch
and McGuire counters with a right hand to the body.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
McGuire throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Willy Hardwood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGuire looks to score with a jab to the body but Hardwood is just out of range.
McGuire tries to work over Hardwood's front leg with a kick but Hardwood checks it.
McGuire looks to score with a jab to the body but Hardwood is just out of range.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardwood is looking to clinch.
A good leg kick by McGuire.
McGuire throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McGuire throws a front kick aimed at Hardwood's knee but Hardwood avoids it well.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGuire paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwood defending well as McGuire loads up on a big left hand.

Hardwood has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire working some nice short punches in the clinch.

McGuire breaks from the clinch.

Hardwood gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A right hook to the body lands for McGuire.
McGuire blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McGuire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Willy Hardwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardwood wants to clinch but McGuire slips to the side

so McGuire counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hardwood utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGuire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hardwood is controlling McGuire's posture.
McGuire loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McGuire has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGuire throwing strikes from guard but Hardwood blocks nicely.
Hardwood preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire postures up in Hardwood's guard and throws a big left but Hardwood blocks it.
Hardwood utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hardwood keeping moving, preventing McGuire from controlling successfully.
Hardwood wants to sweep but no luck.
McGuire throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hardwood works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McGuire tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardwood is retaining full guard.
Hardwood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardwood on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood closes the distance looking to clinch
and McGuire counters with a left to the body.
Hardwood tries to clinch
and McGuire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hardwood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGuire misses with a head kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardwood misses the target.
McGuire throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
McGuire thumps Hardwood with a low kick.
McGuire keeps the fight on the outside.
McGuire is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hardwood with a body shot.
Hardwood checks a low kick from McGuire.
Hardwood on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McGuire. McGuire obviously looking to wear him down.
McGuire swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd McGuire dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGuire misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice shot by Hardwood.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGuire, right into the meat.
Hardwood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGuire misses with an uppercut. Hardwood saw that one coming.
Hardwood moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
Hardwood misses with a straight right.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGuire lands with a nice body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardwood clinches up with McGuire and pushes him back against the cage.
Hardwood misses with a punch on the inside.
McGuire lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McGuire.

McGuire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGuire throws a head kick but Hardwood moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch but McGuire moves away

and McGuire counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
McGuire missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McGuire sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hardwood defending well though.
McGuire trying to control from half guard but Hardwood is working away.
Hardwood wants to control but McGuire is keeping busy.
Hardwood wants to get back to full guard.
Hardwood moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hardwood seems keen to control McGuire's posture.
McGuire wants to control from the top but Hardwood keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McGuire postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McGuire looking to pass the guard.
McGuire engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McGuire being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuire swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGuire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGuire tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hardwood is able to avoid easily.
Hardwood steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McGuire.
Hardwood looks to clinch
and McGuire counters with a straight right hand.
McGuire feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hardwood's calf.
Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.

Hardwood forces McGuire back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardwood.

McGuire breaks from the clinch.

Hardwood closes the distance and clinches.
Hardwood blocking some punches.

McGuire breaks from the clinch.
McGuire misses with a body kick.
A swing and a miss from McGuire.
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!
Hardwood takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGuire raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
McGuire keeps the fight on the outside.
McGuire misses the shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGuire takes a swing at Hardwood's ribcage but misses.
Hardwood swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Boyd McGuire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from McGuire.
Hardwood is looking for a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd McGuire showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hardwood tries to clinch up.
McGuire keeps the fight on the outside.
McGuire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hardwood manages to avoid it.
Hardwood moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
McGuire swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
McGuire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
McGuire ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hardwood moves away.
Hardwood closes the distance but McGuire moves to the side
enabling McGuire to counter with a crisp jab.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood wants to clinch.
Hardwood tries to clinch there but McGuire circles away.

Hardwood closes the distance and pushes McGuire back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McGuire lands a shoulder strike.
McGuire doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McGuire misses with a short punch on the inside.
McGuire blocking some punches.
McGuire lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hardwood backwards.
McGuire lands with a short shot to the head.
Hardwood tries a body shot but McGuire blocks it.
McGuire throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Hardwood.

McGuire breaks the clinch.
Hardwood tries to clinch up.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGuire has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
As Hardwood backs off McGuire throws a huge counter combo but Hardwood manages to avoid it all.
McGuire jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McGuire throws a lazy uppercut
and Hardwood counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGuire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hardwood circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch there but McGuire circles away.

Hardwood moves into the clinch.
McGuire throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hardwoods head.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
McGuire scores with a hook to the body.

McGuire manages to break the clinch.
McGuire misses with a wild combination.
Hardwood is looking to clinch but McGuire is avoiding it.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGuire paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwood on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hardwood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McGuire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hardwood clinches up with McGuire and pushes him back against the cage.
Hardwood prevents a body shot from McGuire.
Hardwood lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McGuire backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from McGuire.
Hardwood working aggressively here.
Willy Hardwood has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGuire 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.

McGuire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGuire tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hardwood sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGuire somewhat.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
McGuire misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McGuire pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hardwood is out of range and McGuire settles back down.
McGuire throws a chopping leg kick but Hardwood manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A little feinted left hand from Hardwood on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McGuire throws a leg kick but Hardwood moved away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire misses with a body shot.
Hardwood appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hardwood moves into the clinch.
Hardwood scores with a shot to the side of McGuire's head.
McGuire tries to work over Hardwood's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

McGuire pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from McGuire misses.
McGuire lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hardwood getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A nice side step and McGuire releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd McGuire really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McGuire throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardwood.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardwood misses the target.
McGuire lands with a good body shot.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGuire fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGuire throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardwood.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.

McGuire tries to keep at a distance but Hardwood has taken the fight into the clinch.
McGuire wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Hardwood fails to land.
McGuire pushes Hardwood back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

McGuire has hold of one of Hardwood's legs. Hardwood is fighting the takedown attempt but McGuire gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hardwood is pulling down on McGuire's head. It's preventing any offense from McGuire, at least for the moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardwood lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire keeping moving, preventing Hardwood from controlling successfully.
McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

McGuire is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hardwood is aware though and is defending well.
McGuire keeping moving, preventing Hardwood from controlling successfully.
McGuire looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McGuire is still trying to improve position.
McGuire trying to control the position.
McGuire looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hardwood is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hardwood wants to control from the top but McGuire keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McGuire throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hardwood not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardwood closes the distance and pushes McGuire back into the cage.
McGuire fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGuire's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McGuire presses Hardwood against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nice body punch from McGuire.
Hardwood is looking to control McGuire's arms but McGuire gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardwood has his back to the cage.
Hardwood is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
McGuire is working Hardwood over against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardwood.
Hardwood tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McGuire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hardwood has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McGuire finds it's way round the side to connect with Hardwood's head.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuire swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hardwood tries to clinch but McGuire moves out of range.
Hardwood slips under a jab.
Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.
McGuire just misses with a punch to the body.
McGuire jabs Hardwood to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hardwood moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
McGuire digs a good body shot into Hardwood's ribs.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGuire misses with a straight right.
A little feinted left hand from Hardwood on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McGuire tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hardwood is able to avoid easily.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hardwood takes the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd McGuire dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Hardwood's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McGuire swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
McGuire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGuire takes a swing at Hardwood's ribcage but misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hardwood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McGuire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McGuire swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwood.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good exchange - McGuire coming out on top.
McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardwood.
Hardwood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardwood is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McGuire throws a wild body kick that Hardwood sees coming a mile off.
Hardwood tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGuire is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hardwood rather than just go for the knockout.
McGuire works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hardwood staying out of range there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardwood wants to clinch up but McGuire keeps it at a distance.
McGuire drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hardwood defends it well.
Hardwood moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
McGuire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGuire ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hardwood moves away.
Hardwood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardwood lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McGuire loads up on a big right hand but Hardwood slips the punch.
Willy Hardwood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGuire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hardwood.
McGuire misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardwood is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hardwood displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGuire throws out the jab.
Hardwood fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGuire thinks about the counter body kick.
McGuire is looking to chop away at Hardwood's legs.
Hardwood wants to clinch but McGuire slips to the side
enabling McGuire to counter with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardwood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McGuire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McGuire misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Hardwood was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
McGuire is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hardwood.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.
Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.
McGuire shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardwood tries to sprawl out of it but McGuire 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.
Boyd McGuire is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGuire changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hardwood doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.
McGuire misses the jab.
McGuire moves away from the strike by Hardwood.
A bone on bone clash there as McGuire blocks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardwood has taken the fight to the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, McGuire just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hardwood's brow.
McGuire is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hardwood misses with the head strike.
McGuire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hardwood managing to block the knees to the body from McGuire.
McGuire has a couple of punches blocked by Hardwood.
Hardwood misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGuire is looking for a takedown.
Willy Hardwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boyd McGuire.
Hardwood lands a right hand that snaps the head of McGuire backwards.
A short right from McGuire.

McGuire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardwood darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hardwood on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hardwood tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
McGuire thinks about the counter body kick.
Hardwood is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyd McGuire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McGuire 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyd McGuire!
Boyd McGuire really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Museum of Monsters & Madmen logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.