PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Schmo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Hackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hackett has chosen Genesis - Firth of Fith as his entrance music. Steve Hackett will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Schmo
vs
Hackett

175 cm
25
220 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
193 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Oblivion Inc.

Island's Forbidden Fruits

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Schmo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steve Hackett!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hackett tries to clinch but Schmo is having none of it.
Hackett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schmo.
Schmo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Schmo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hackett slips a jab from Schmo.
Schmo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hackett is fending him off so far but Schmo persists. Nope, Hackett circles away and we're back to standing.
Hackett throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hackett's coach down at Island Top Team was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Hackett's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hackett connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Schmo blocks the body kick.
Schmo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hackett takes the fight into the clinch.
Hackett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hackett struggles to land a body shot inside as Schmo controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Schmo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmo throws a punch but it's blocked by Hackett.
Hackett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Schmo blocking some punches.

Schmo breaks the clinch.
Steve Hackett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schmo misses with a looping left.
Schmo looks to land a left hand but Hackett moved out of range nicely.
Schmo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Schmo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Schmo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hackett moves away.
Hackett tries to land a body kick

and Schmo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hackett's guard.

Hackett pushes Schmo off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Schmo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hackett to the ground. Schmo is now in Hackett's guard.

Hackett is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmo gets through Hackett's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hackett blocking some punches.
Hackett misses with a punch to the body.

Schmo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hackett tests Schmo's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Joe Schmo has been cut.

Schmo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hackett quickly recovers to half guard.

Hackett kicks Schmo off and gets back to his feet.
Schmo looks for a takedown but Hackett sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Schmo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hackett scores with a kick to the body.
A head kick from Hackett lands but Schmo takes it in his stride.
Hackett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Schmo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hackett tries a low kick but Schmo avoids it.
Hackett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schmo seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Schmo throws a body punch but Hackett moves out of range.
Hackett looks for the body kick but Schmo saw that one coming.
Hackett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hackett moves away from the strike by Schmo.
Hackett throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hackett throws a head kick but Schmo moves out of range.
Schmo appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hackett tries to land a body kick

and Schmo counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schmo is trying to ground and pound but Hackett uses the momentary lack of control by Schmo to regain half guard.
Schmo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Schmo throws a strike but Hackett avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Schmo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hackett's head.
Schmo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hackett's head.
Hackett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schmo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hackett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Schmo's cut.
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.

Hackett ducks under a wild hook from Schmo.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hackett.
Schmo throws an overhand right that lands on Hackett's shoulder, as Hackett tries to avoid the shot.
Hackett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A jab from Hackett misses.
Schmo is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hackett's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Schmo looks to clinch
and Hackett counters with a nice body kick.
Hackett tries to clinch up.
Schmo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hackett.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hackett throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Schmo counters with a shoot takedown. Hackett fights it but they end up in guard.
Schmo trying to control the position from guard on top but Hackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schmo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schmo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Schmo throws a big right hand that misses.
Schmo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schmo postures up and lands a big shot to Hackett's brow.
Schmo is in close to Hackett's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Schmo is looking to work some ground and pound but Hackett has wrist control.
Schmo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Schmo throws a strike but Hackett rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Schmo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Schmo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Schmo is working hard here to advance position.
Schmo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Schmo tries to get out of the position.
Schmo wants to improve his position but instead Hackett has moved into half guard.
Schmo wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hackett seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Schmo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hackett is thwarting Schmo's attempts to control the position.
Schmo is looking for a sweep. Hackett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Steve Hackett has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmo is refusing to be controlled, as Hackett sits in half guard.
Schmo wants to get back to full guard but Hackett has passed into side control.
Schmo is looking to reverse the position.
Hackett controls the position.

Hackett decides to stand back up.
Steve Hackett seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hackett lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hackett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hackett cracks Schmo with a good jab.
Hackett is looking to land body kicks.
Hackett blocks a jab.
Hackett jabs Schmo right on the nose. Schmo blinks but takes it well.
Hackett slips a straight right by Schmo.
Hackett has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Schmo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hackett's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schmo throws a strike but Hackett rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Schmo is striking but Hackett is not phased and passes to half guard.
Schmo is trying to get back to full guard.
Hackett stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hackett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Schmo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A lazy body kick from Hackett

and Schmo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Schmo.
Schmo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Schmo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schmo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schmo pushing down on Hackett's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Schmo throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hackett to regain full guard.
Schmo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schmo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hackett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Schmo manages to get himself to full guard.

Schmo looking for a sweep. Not yet Schmo, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmo wants to improve his position but instead Hackett has moved into half guard.
Hackett prevents Schmo from improving his position.

That's two 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.
Schmo manages to get to full guard.
Schmo wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hackett trying to control but Schmo is working from the bottom.
Schmo looking for a sweep. Not yet Schmo, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Schmo misses with a hook. Hackett ducked under it nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hackett.
Schmo avoids the head kick by Hackett.
It looked like Schmo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Schmo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Hackett. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Schmo walks into a left hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hackett!
Schmo shoots in for a takedown but Hackett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Hackett's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice shot lands for Hackett.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hackett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Schmo defending well as Hackett loads up on a big left hand.
Schmo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hackett was well out of range. Poor timing from Schmo.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hackett.
Hackett throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Schmo.

Joe Schmo's cut is getting worse.
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!
Schmo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hackett.
Schmo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hackett throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hackett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Schmo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hackett misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hackett really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Schmo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hackett scores with a head kick. Schmo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hackett throws a leg kick that is checked

and Schmo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Schmo.
Schmo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hackett's head.
Schmo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schmo throwing strikes but missing.
Schmo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Schmo throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Schmo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Schmo lands a couple of elbows.
Hackett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schmo.
Schmo is looking to work some ground and pound but Hackett has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmo trying to control the position from guard on top but Hackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schmo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Schmo throws a big right hand that misses.
Schmo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Schmo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hackett is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Schmo working some strikes from top position.
Hackett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Schmo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schmo throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Schmo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schmo is looking to work some ground and pound but Hackett has wrist control.
Schmo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Schmo throwing strikes but missing.
Schmo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hackett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schmo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Schmo throwing strikes from guard but Hackett blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schmo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Schmo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schmo connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Schmo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schmo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Schmo postures up in Hackett's guard and throws a big left but Hackett blocks it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Schmo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hackett defends it nicely.
Hackett is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Schmo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hackett. Hackett obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Schmo throws a lazy right hand but Hackett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Schmo looks for a takedown but Hackett sprawls well.
Hackett connects with a good right hand that stumbles Schmo. Schmo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hackett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schmo throws a lazy right hand but Hackett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Schmo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hackett throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Schmo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Schmo throws the left hand but Hackett avoids the punch easily.
Hackett looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Schmo had his way with Steve Hackett in that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Schmo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Schmo misses with a looping left.
Hackett throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hackett misses with the body kick

and Schmo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hackett won't be happy with that.

Hackett explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Hackett throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Schmo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hackett's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Schmo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Schmo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schmo throws a strike but Hackett rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hackett wants to control from the top but Schmo keeps moving.
Schmo is looking to sweep but instead, Hackett has passed into half guard.
Hackett is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hackett is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Schmo is looking for a sweep. Hackett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Schmo is not content to let Hackett control the position.
Schmo wants to improve his position but Hackett is controlling well.
Joe Schmo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Hackett 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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Schmo moves into full guard.
Schmo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Schmo wants to hit a switch here but Hackett passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Schmo there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmo tries to reverse the position but Hackett maintains control.
Hackett looking to control but Schmo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Schmo is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Schmo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hackett seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Hackett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hackett has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 46:49
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 46:49
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Hackett!
Steve Hackett is the new light heavyweight champion!
Steve Hackett made sure to mention his sponsor, Island's Forbidden Fruits in his post fight interview.