PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Hayden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daniel Hayden has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hayden
vs
Cooper

200 cm
18
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Hayden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Cooper!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayden swinging wildly here.
Hayden misses with a wild body shot.
Cooper goes for a double leg but Hayden avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hayden continues to drive forward.
Hayden listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hayden definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cooper displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hayden throws a series of punches but Cooper avoids them all with ease.
Nice shot by Cooper.
Hayden takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cooper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hayden is fending him off so far but Cooper persists. Nope, Hayden circles away and we're back to standing.
Hayden fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cooper has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like John Cooper has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cooper closes the distance and pushes Hayden back into the cage.

Cooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cooper gets in close and instigates a clinch.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Hayden.
Hayden works over Cooper's head and body with a nice combination.
Cooper looks for a takedown but Hayden sprawls well.
Daniel Hayden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Cooper.
Cooper closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hayden circles away.
Cooper throws a head kick but Hayden moves out of range.

Cooper closes the distance and pushes Hayden back into the cage.

Cooper pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Hayden, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hayden lands a body shot.
Hayden lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cooper at a distance.
Cooper slips a jab and a cross from Hayden.
Cooper looks for a takedown but Hayden sprawls well.
Hayden tries to counter by clinching up but Cooper breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cooper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hayden.
Cooper is looking for the big counter here.
Cooper shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hayden defends it nicely.
Hayden misses with a series of wild punches.
Hayden throws a right and a left that both miss.
Despite the aggression on Cooper's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Hayden throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hayden avoids the head kick by Cooper.
Hayden misses with a double jab.
Cooper fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hayden throws a right hand that Cooper ducks under and follows up with a left that Cooper also avoids with ease.
Hayden swings for the body but Cooper moves out of range.
Cooper looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Hayden misses with a double jab
and Cooper counters with a left to the body.

Cooper closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hayden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cooper's elbow.
Cooper wants a takedown.
Cooper changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hayden fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cooper looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hayden swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cooper tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hayden swivels and escapes.
Hayden throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cooper.
Cooper shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A little feinted left hand from Hayden on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hayden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And Cooper tries to counter it with a takedown but Hayden pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Hayden. Those never looked like landing.
A big right from Hayden misses.
Hayden misses with a double jab.
Hayden misses with a double jab.
Daniel Hayden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hayden takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hayden is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hayden misses with a wild combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cooper! But no joy.
Hayden 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.
Cooper tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hayden defends well and Cooper ends up having to push Hayden into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Hayden as Cooper shoots in.
Hayden throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayden loads up on a big right hand but Cooper slips the punch.
Cooper misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Hayden dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Cooper's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cooper tries to move into range but Hayden moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hayden rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cooper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cooper appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Hayden gets tackled into the cage by Cooper. Cooper maintains the clinch.
Hayden stops a takedown attempt from Cooper.
Cooper tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hayden is trying to break the clinch but Cooper is controlling him.
Hayden prevents a takedown attempt there.
Daniel Hayden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Cooper.
Cooper tries to pull guard but Hayden won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cooper breaks the clinch.
Cooper goes for a double leg but Hayden avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hayden continues to drive forward.
Hayden throws a big counter combination but Cooper scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Cooper throws a series of punches but Hayden avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayden scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cooper in his tracks.
Cooper is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hayden sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hayden defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cooper.
Cooper is breathing heavily.
Hayden connects with the punch.
Hayden is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hayden throws a series of punches but Cooper moves out of range.
Hayden throws a good cross that connects.
A head kick misses from Cooper.
Hayden drops down looking for a counter takedown but Cooper sprawls and moves away.
Hayden throws a series of strikes that have Cooper backpedaling.
Hayden throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cooper slips a jab and a cross from Hayden.
Hayden misses with a double jab
and Cooper counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cooper looks to land a combination but Hayden avoids it well.
Hayden lands a jab to Cooper's midsection.
Cooper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Daniel Hayden is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cooper dodges the punch combination from Hayden.
Cooper takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hayden scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hayden swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cooper counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hayden throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Cooper closes the distance and clinches.
Hayden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hayden avoiding damage as Cooper throws knees to the body.
Hayden looking to stall.
Hayden is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cooper can do to turn this around?
Cooper stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooper is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cooper prevents Hayden from breaking the clinch.

Cooper drags the fight down to the ground.
Hayden is fighting to break Cooper's control of his arms but Cooper is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cooper wants to sweep but no luck.
Cooper has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Cooper wriggles free and stands up.

Cooper has managed to clinch.
Cooper is trying to pull guard but Hayden has him pressed against the cage.
Cooper is trying to pull guard but Hayden has him pressed against the cage.
Hayden swings wildly with an uppercut but Cooper uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Hayden dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on John Cooper's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cooper lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cooper takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hayden lands with a nice combination. Cooper backs away looking to recover.
Cooper looks for the body kick but Hayden saw that one coming.
Hayden throws a right hand that Cooper ducks under and follows up with a left that Cooper also avoids with ease.
And Cooper tries to counter it with a takedown but Hayden pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Cooper has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hayden tries to break the clinch but Cooper is controlling the position.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayden throws a series of punches but Cooper avoids them all with ease.
Cooper shoots for a double leg takedown but Hayden sprawls well. He's pushed Cooper's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hayden throws a series of punches but Cooper moves out of range.

Cooper instigates a clinch.
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!
Hayden being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayden is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hayden has had enough of the clinch but Cooper keeps him there for the moment.
Cooper looking for a takedown.
Daniel Hayden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Cooper.
Hayden gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cooper.
Cooper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Cooper breaks from the clinch.
Hayden will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cooper is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hayden avoids the head kick by Cooper.
Hayden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cooper manages to avoid it.
Daniel Hayden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hayden throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cooper.
Hayden looks to land a combination. Cooper sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hayden scores with a jab to the body.
Cooper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hayden is fending him off so far but Cooper persists. Nope, Hayden circles away and we're back to standing.
Hayden misses with a double jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Cooper or perhaps it was just good defense by Hayden, which made it look bad.
Cooper darts in looking for a takedown but Hayden gets double underhooks and turns Cooper into the cage.
Cooper has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hayden lands with a nice combination. Cooper backs away looking to recover.
Hayden misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayden throws a right hand that Cooper ducks under and follows up with a left that Cooper also avoids with ease.
Cooper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hayden manages to avoid it.
Hayden connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hayden connects with a right hand. Cooper shakes it off.
Hayden moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Hayden as Cooper shoots in.
Hayden misses with a series of wild punches.
Cooper dives in for a single leg takedown but Hayden sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hayden moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hayden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Cooper takes the fight into the clinch.
Cooper is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hayden pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayden working hard to break the clinch.

Cooper pulls Hayden into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hayden trying to control but Cooper is working from the bottom.
Hayden slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Cooper.
Cooper trying to hold on to Hayden's head to control him but Hayden postures up.
Cooper is not content to let Hayden control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Hayden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hayden, 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Hayden!
A very excited looking Daniel Hayden made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.