PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ernest Sloan (ranked 25721 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Hardy (ranked 6497 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sloan
vs
Hardy

152 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ernest Sloan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sloan gets caught napping as Hardy dives in and scores a takedown. Sloan manages to retain guard.
Sloan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hardy scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy is pushing down on Sloan's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sloan is fighting to maintain full guard but Hardy has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sloan trying to control from the bottom.
Hardy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hardy is trying to control the action in half guard but Sloan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sloan really is a fat lump.

Hardy wants to work for an arm triangle but Sloan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hardy is keen to just control but Sloan is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Hardy is trying to work for a kimura but Sloan is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sloan trying to control here.
Hardy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sloan manages to get to full guard.
Hardy is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hardy with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hardy controlling from the top position.
Hardy tries to free his leg and advance position but Sloan is retaining full guard.
Hardy passes Sloan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sloan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloan is working hard here to advance position.
Hardy lands with a punch from half guard.
Hardy tries to stand and escape but Sloan is controlling the position.
Hardy seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hardy tries to land a front kick but Sloan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sloan goes for a double leg but Hardy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hardy continues to drive forward.

Hardy clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloan gets underhooks to prevent Hardy's takedown attempt.
Hardy tries to pull guard but Sloan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hardy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sloan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ernest Sloan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hardy.
Hardy looks winded!
Hardy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sloan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardy tries to pull guard but Sloan won't allow it.
Sloan is pressed up against the cage. Hardy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sloan down to the mat. Sloan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Sloan moves into the clinch.

Sloan breaks from the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sloan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hardy!
Hardy bucks up and tries to throw Sloan off but instead Sloan has got his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Hardy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hardy.

Hardy moves into range and clinches up with Sloan.
Sloan is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Sloan has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hardy clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Hardy is trying to shake Sloan off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Sloan won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sloan tries to keep at a distance but Hardy has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Sloan keeps him there for the moment.
Sloan stops a takedown attempt from Hardy.
Sloan wants to get back to striking at distance but Hardy won't allow it.
A right hand to the body from Hardy.
Sloan is trying to break the clinch but Hardy is controlling him.
Hardy looking for a takedown.
Ernest Sloan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hardy.
Sloan pushes Hardy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sloan prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hardy has picked Sloan up - he's going for a ride! Hardy dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Sloan tries to get to full guard but Hardy has control of the leg.
Hardy trying to control the action but Sloan is working from the bottom.
Sloan is pressing down on Hardy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sloan thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sloan wants to sweep here but Hardy controlling him for the moment.
Sloan is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy preventing the sweep.
Sloan keeping full guard, as Hardy tries to pass.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hardy trying to control the position from guard on top but Sloan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hardy looks for a takedown but Sloan sprawls well.
Dan Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hardy closes the distance and pushes Sloan back into the cage.

That's four 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.
Sloan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardy has Sloan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sloan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hardy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Sloan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hardy instigates a clinch.
Sloan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sloan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Hardy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hardy napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Hardy bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Hardy has Sloan up against the cage in a clinch.

Sloan jumps into guard, dragging Hardy to the mat.
Sloan wants to sweep but no luck.

Hardy gets to his feet - Sloan follows without any prompting.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sloan gets tackled into the cage by Hardy. Hardy maintains the clinch.
Hardy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The referee calls for Hardy to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sloan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hardy connects with a crisp jab.

Hardy clinches up with Sloan and pushes him back against the cage.
Hardy tries to pull guard but Sloan won't allow it.

Hardy is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sloan can't fight it off and eventually Hardy manages to take the fight to the floor. Sloan looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hardy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hardy stands up out of Sloan's guard for a moment - Sloan manages to land a nice upkick.
Hardy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sloan is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloan keeping moving, preventing Hardy from controlling successfully.
Sloan trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Dan Hardy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hardy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hardy stopping the sweep attempt from Sloan.
Hardy tries to free his leg and advance position but Sloan is retaining full guard.
Sloan wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardy stands up over Sloan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hardy throwing strikes but missing.
Hardy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloan moves in looking to clinch but Hardy pushes him off.
Sloan leaves Hardy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sloan fails with a takedown attempt.

Hardy instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hardy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Sloan tries to counter with a takedown but Hardy is quick to defend against it.
Hardy tries for a takedown but Sloan circles away easily
and Sloan counters with a stiff right hand.
Ernest Sloan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hardy.
Sloan leaves Hardy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sloan shoots in but no luck this time.
Hardy shoots in but no luck this time.
Ernest Sloan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dan Hardy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sloan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardy 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Hardy!