PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and mr Pickering (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). mr Pickering will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hardy
vs
Pickering

225 cm
25
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kevin Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, mr Pickering!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy is looking to clinch but Pickering is avoiding it.
Pickering misses with a combination

and Hardy counters with a shoot takedown. Pickering fights it but they end up in guard.
Hardy postures up and lands a big shot to Pickering's brow.
Hardy controlling from the top position.
Hardy working some strikes from top position.
Hardy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy with a nice head shot there.
Hardy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hardy looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pickering wants to stand up but Hardy is controlling him.
Hardy throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hardy keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pickering's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hardy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hardy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hardy landing some decent shots from guard.

Hardy drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pickering looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pickering looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pickering!

Hardy manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pickering's best efforts.
Hardy is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hardy manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pickering trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hardy's guard.
Pickering preventing the sweep.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Pickering working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Hardy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hardy pushes a forearm under Pickering's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Pickering is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kevin Hardy!
mr Pickering spoke after the fight, saying 'Bad day at the office'.