PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Hadley Jr (ranked 25539 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seth Poole (ranked 6439 p4p, 0 weight class). Seth Poole has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hadley Jr
vs
Poole

210 cm
18
250 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alex Hadley Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Seth Poole!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hadley Jr misses with a combination

and Poole decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hadley Jr's guard.
Hadley Jr will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hadley Jr looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Poole stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hadley Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Poole missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Hadley Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Poole trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hadley Jr's guard.
Poole 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.
Poole pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hadley Jr is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole throws a big right hand that misses.
Poole looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poole is still trying to improve position.
Poole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Poole sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hadley Jr's guard.
Poole is controlling the pace.
Poole missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Poole controlling the action here.
Let's hope that Poole has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Poole sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hadley Jr defending well though.
Poole is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
An inside leg kick from Poole misses.
Poole fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hadley Jr avoids it really well and circles away.

Poole moves into the clinch successfully.

Poole gets control of Hadley Jr's arms and successfully pulls guard. Poole will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hadley Jr postures up.

Poole is looking for a triangle but Hadley Jr pushes his legs off easily.
Poole looking for a sweep. Not yet Poole, not yet.
Poole is wriggling around but Hadley Jr manages to pass to half guard.
Poole is doing well to control the position and prevent Hadley Jr from advancing to side control.
Poole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Poole has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hadley Jr is on him like a limpet, forcing Poole back against the cage.
Hadley Jr is trying to break free.
Poole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Poole breaks from the clinch.

Poole clinches up with Hadley Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
Hadley Jr has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Poole after a bit of a struggle.
A bit of stalling here from Poole.

Poole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Poole darts in and clinches Hadley Jr up against the cage.
Hadley Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Poole pulls his leg out and moves away.
Poole throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Poole clinches up with Hadley Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Poole throws an elbow but it misses.

Poole manages to pull guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poole wants to stand but Hadley Jr is controlling the position.
Poole seems keen to control Hadley Jr's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Poole dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Poole throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hadley Jr's waist but Hadley Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Poole off to one side.
Alex Hadley Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Poole instigates a clinch.
Poole has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Poole is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hadley Jr pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Poole tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alex Hadley Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seth Poole.
A hook to the body from Poole.

Poole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Poole rushes Hadley Jr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hadley Jr is trying to break free.
Poole has Hadley Jr pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hadley Jr manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Poole has Hadley Jr pressed against the cage, preventing Hadley Jr from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poole goes for a takedown attempt but Hadley Jr pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hadley Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hadley Jr misses with a wild combination.

Poole darts in and clinches Hadley Jr up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poole breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Poole closes the distance and clinches.
Hadley Jr fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Poole jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Poole is on top in guard.

Poole is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Poole is continuing to stall.
Seth Poole has got the better of the ground game so far.
Poole distracts Hadley Jr with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Poole is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poole would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Poole controlling from the top position.
Poole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hadley Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Poole wanted to stand there but Hadley Jr had control of the position.
Poole wants to pass the guard but Hadley Jr is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hadley Jr has a closed guard, preventing Poole from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hadley Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Poole stalks Hadley Jr and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hadley Jr's face. Hadley Jr staggers backwards, shaken.

Poole has taken the fight to the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Poole breaks the clinch.

Poole instigates a clinch.

Poole gets control of Hadley Jr's arms and successfully pulls guard. Poole will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Poole lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poole passes into half guard.
Poole is taking a breather. Hadley Jr says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Poole has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Poole controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hadley Jr blocking the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Poole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Poole scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nice takedown defense from Hadley Jr. No joy for Poole on that attempt.
Poole shoots in looking for a takedown. Hadley Jr tries to sprawl out of it but Poole keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hadley Jr manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hadley Jr is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Poole changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hadley Jr tries to avoid it but Poole manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hadley Jr to the ground. Hadley Jr escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Alex Hadley Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seth Poole.
Good shot there by Poole.
Poole shoots in but no luck this time.
Poole shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hadley Jr pinned against the cage. Hadley Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hadley Jr slaps away a takedown attempt from Poole, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hadley Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Poole, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poole fails with a takedown attempt.
Poole misses with a body kick.
Poole misses with a head kick.
Hadley Jr takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Poole closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hadley Jr circles away.

Hadley Jr tries to keep at a distance but Poole has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hadley Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Poole pulls guard successfully.
Hadley Jr wanted to stand there but Poole had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Poole looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Poole bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hadley Jr's guard.

Poole not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Poole trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Poole throwing strikes from guard but Hadley Jr blocks nicely.
Poole is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Poole throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hadley Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Poole showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hadley Jr keeping moving, preventing Poole from controlling successfully.
Poole with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Poole accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Poole wants to stand but Hadley Jr has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Poole's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Alex Hadley Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four 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.
Poole tries to land a front kick but Hadley Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Poole pushes Hadley Jr up against the cage in a clinch.

Poole's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Poole fails with the takedown.
Hadley Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Poole.
Poole dives in and grabs Hadley Jr's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hadley Jr pushes down on Poole's head and hops out.
Poole throws a series of punches but Hadley Jr moves out of range.
Hadley Jr checks a low kick from Poole.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poole looks for a takedown but Hadley Jr sprawls well.
Alex Hadley Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Seth Poole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Seth Poole seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hadley Jr throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seth Poole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Poole 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seth Poole!