PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edmundo Hardin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Lobov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hardin
vs
Lobov

222 cm
19
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edmundo Hardin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Artem Lobov!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lobov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lobov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hardin controlling the position for now.
Lobov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Hardin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hardin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hardin wants to sweep here but Lobov controlling him for the moment.
Lobov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardin is trying to keep Lobov in close.
Hardin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lobov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hardin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lobov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lobov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lobov controlling from the top position.
Lobov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hardin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lobov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lobov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardin is retaining full guard.
Hardin trying to keep a closed guard but Lobov is proving a slippery customer.

Hardin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lobov postures up and lands a big shot to Hardin's brow.
Lobov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hardin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hardin prevents Lobov from getting back to his feet.
Hardin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hardin lands a couple of digs.

Lobov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hardin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lobov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardin manages to get himself to full guard.

Hardin has his hands on Lobov's head, controlling the position.
Hardin trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardin wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Lobov manages to pass to side control.
Hardin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lobov is working away from the top position though.
Hardin is trying to get back to full guard.
Lobov wants to stand up but Hardin has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardin wants to improve his position but Lobov is controlling well.
Lobov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardin keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lobov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lobov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lobov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lobov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hardin's guard.
Hardin looking for a sweep. Not yet Hardin, not yet.

Hardin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Lobov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Lobov content to stall in guard here.
Lobov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardin trying to keep a closed guard but Lobov is proving a slippery customer.
Lobov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardin is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lobov connects with a couple of short punches.
Hardin looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Lobov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Lobov wants to stand up but Hardin is controlling the position.
Hardin desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Hardin has one foot on Lobov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Lobov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lobov feints and as Hardin raises his hands in defense, Lobov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lobov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin is trying to control the position but Lobov postures up.
Lobov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hardin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lobov is one step ahead there.
Hardin trying to keep a closed guard but Lobov is proving a slippery customer.
Hardin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lobov wanted to stand there but Hardin had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobov looking to sit in guard and control but Hardin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lobov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hardin is controlling him.
Lobov trying to control the position.
Hardin scoring with some ground and pound.
Hardin is working Lobov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hardin is looking to work some ground and pound but Lobov has wrist control.
Lobov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hardin.
Hardin throws a strike but Lobov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Lobov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hardin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lobov has managed to get both his arms back between Hardin's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardin looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lobov pushing down on Hardin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hardin trying to control but Lobov postures up.
Hardin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hardin is looking to control Lobov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hardin avoid being mounted?
Lobov working Hardin over with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lobov slips a nice elbow through Hardin's hands, connecting with Hardin's forehead.
Lobov tries to stand but can't do so whilst Hardin controls his leg.

Hardin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lobov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hardin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lobov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Lobov moves into range and clinches up with Hardin.

Lobov jumps into guard, dragging Hardin to the mat.
Lobov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Hardin stands up and waves to Lobov to follow him.
Hardin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lobov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lobov throws a right and a left that Hardin avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardin gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hardin pulls guard effortlessly.
Lobov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

Hardin throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lobov escapes and throws Hardin's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Lobov advances to mount.
Hardin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lobov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hardin's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobov controlling the pace for now.
Hardin tries to hold on but Lobov pushes him away.
Lobov breaks from Hardin's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Edmundo Hardin has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lobov controlling the position easily from mount.
Hardin can't escape the position.

Lobov working for a guillotine from mount but Hardin is in no mood to give up.
Hardin is looking to improve his position but Lobov isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobov is landing with some decent strikes but Hardin is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lobov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hardin's face.

Hardin is rocked!

Edmundo Hardin's cut is getting worse.
Lobov is looking to stand but Hardin has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Oh Hardin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Lobov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lobov works his way to his opponent's back.

Hardin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Lobov.

Hardin showing good submission defense here.
Hardin wants to control his opponent's hands but Lobov gets his hands free.
Hardin is trying to break free.
Lobov throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Lobov doesn't have the hooks in and Hardin manages to turn into his guard.
Hardin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Lobov has his foot on Hardin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hardin works his way back into a safe position though.

Lobov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hardin postures up in Lobov's guard and throws a big left but Lobov blocks it.
Hardin seems to have got his legs back now.
Hardin stops Lobov from standing up.
Hardin throws a strike but Lobov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardin keeping moving, preventing Lobov from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardin working a defensive guard here.
Hardin pulls Lobov in to control the position.

Lobov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lobov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hardin keeping moving, preventing Lobov from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hardin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Edmundo Hardin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Artem Lobov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Hardin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lobov is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Lobov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lobov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Lobov!