PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Bakunin (ranked 2732 p4p, 349 weight class) and Brian Hardy (ranked 2609 p4p, 332 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.

Bakunin
vs
Hardy

181 cm
28
178 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

195 cm
31
187 lbs
25 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Bakunin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bakunin misses with a wild body shot.
Bakunin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hardy on the side of the head.
Hardy throws a hook but Bakunin blocks it.
Hardy takes a swing at Bakunin's ribcage but misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Bakunin misses the target.
Bakunin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakunin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hardy manages to circle out of the way.
Bakunin throws a lazy right hand but Hardy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bakunin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Bakunin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hardy manages to circle out of the way.
Bakunin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bakunin scores with a body shot.
Bakunin ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.
Bakunin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bakunin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hardy defending well as Bakunin loads up on a big left hand.
Bakunin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bakunin clinches.
Bakunin prevents a body shot from Hardy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bakunin.
Bakunin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bakunin misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with some punches.
Hardy prevents a body shot from Bakunin.
Bakunin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardy lands an uppercut.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy blocks a body shot from Bakunin.
Bakunin has a couple of punches blocked by Hardy.
Bakunin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakunin pushes Hardy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Hardy has hold of one of Bakunin's legs. Bakunin is fighting the takedown attempt but Hardy gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Bakunin kicks Hardy off and gets to his feet.
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!
Hardy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bakunin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hardy ducks under a wild hook from Bakunin.
A swing and a miss from Bakunin.
Hardy is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bakunin with a body shot.
Mikhail Bakunin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bakunin lands with a shot to the body.
Hardy moves out of range of the strikes.

Bakunin drives through and clinches with Hardy against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bakunin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bakunin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bakunin lands with a right to the head.
Bakunin gets underhooks to prevent Hardy's takedown attempt.
Bakunin scores with a shoulder strike.
Bakunin is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hardy's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Bakunin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Bakunin - that landed with a thud.
Hardy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bakunins head.
Bakunin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bakunin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hardy or not.
Bakunin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Bakunin.
Hardy has Bakunin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bakunin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mikhail Bakunin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Hardy.
Bakunin misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bakunin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bakunin misses with a punch to the body.
Hardy wants a takedown but no success here.
Bakunin lands a shoulder strike.
Hardy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hardy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bakunin prevents it.
Bakunin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bakunin.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Bakunin on the inside.

Hardy is rocked!
Bakunin creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Hardy with a big uppercut! Hardy tries to clinch up but Bakunin pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Hardy to the mat! Hardy covers up and Bakunin unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Mikhail Bakunin!
A very excited looking Mikhail Bakunin 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.