PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bessarion Alexius (ranked 3100 p4p, 372 weight class) and Brian Hardy (ranked 2340 p4p, 288 weight class). Alexius comes to the cage accompanied by A Country Boy Can Survive. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alexius
vs
Hardy

178 cm
30
180 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

195 cm
32
187 lbs
26 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bessarion Alexius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hardy gets tackled into the cage by Alexius. Alexius maintains the clinch.

Hardy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hardy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hardy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hardy circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hardy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alexius tries to close the distance and clinch but Hardy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Alexius forces Hardy back against the cage and clinches.
Alexius is trying to pull guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short left from Alexius.
Alexius manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Alexius misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexius struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardy controls his hands.

Alexius drags the fight down to the ground.
Hardy trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Alexius manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy trying to keep a closed guard but Alexius is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy looking for a sweep. Not yet Hardy, not yet.
Alexius tries to stand but Hardy is controlling from the bottom.
Alexius is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hardy pulls Alexius in close to prevent any damage.
Alexius has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Alexius controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardy trying to keep a closed guard but Alexius is proving a slippery customer.
Hardy wants to get back to his feet but Alexius is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Alexius is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alexius wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alexius slips under a jab from Hardy.

Alexius gets a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardy.
Alexius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Alexius as the two fighters clinch.
Alexius pushes Hardy back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Alexius tries to throw a body punch but Hardy avoids it by throwing Alexius back against the cage.
Alexius looking for a takedown.
A right handed body shot lands from Hardy.

Hardy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hardy misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Hardy misses.
Hardy staying out of range there.
Alexius slips under a jab.
Alexius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hardy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Alexius throws a series of punches but Hardy moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexius throws a series of punches but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alexius throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alexius slips a jab and a cross from Hardy.
It looked like Alexius wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Alexius throws a combination that misses
enabling Hardy to counter with a crisp jab.
Hardy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hardy lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Alexius tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hardy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alexius tries to clinch but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Alexius cracks the inside of Hardy's front leg.
Alexius wants to clinch up but Hardy keeps it at a distance.
Hardy swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexius.
Bessarion Alexius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Hardy misses its intended target.
Alexius tries to counter with a takedown but Hardy is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brian Hardy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alexius is looking to clinch.
Alexius lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A big right from Hardy misses.
Alexius pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hardy back to the cage. Alexius follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hardy scores with a decent looking hook.
Alexius is looking to clinch.
Hardy loads up on a big right hand but Alexius slips the punch.
Hardy lands with a hook. Alexius tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hardy throws a jab but it's blocked by Alexius.
Alexius throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hardy counters with a series of strikes. Alexius will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Alexius moves into the clinch.
Alexius works on Hardy's body with a couple of short punches.
Hardy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexius drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hardy gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Hardy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexius takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Alexius defending well as Hardy loads up on a big left hand.
Alexius appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Alexius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hardy! But no joy.
Alexius will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Brian Hardy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Alexius has Hardy up against the cage in a clinch.
Alexius jumps guard but Hardy stands there with Alexius around his waist. Alexius gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hardy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bessarion Alexius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.
Alexius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hardy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hardy circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexius gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hardy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alexiuss head.

Hardy manages to break the clinch.
The fighters circling - Hardy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Some wild striking there from Alexius.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexius takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Alexius fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice shot by Hardy.

Alexius has closed the distance and engaged Hardy in a clinch.
Alexius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alexius lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Hardy manages to break the clinch.
Hardy displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hardy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Alexius has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexius misses with the head strike.

Alexius ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alexius no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardy wanted to stand there but Alexius had control of the position.
Hardy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hardy trying to control but Alexius is working from the bottom.
Hardy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alexius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hardy is one step ahead there.
Alexius might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Alexius is keeping the position.
Hardy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Hardy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hardy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hardy keeps the fight on the outside.
Alexius tries to clinch up but Hardy circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Alexius jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Alexius tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hardy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alexius moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian 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! And we move into the final round!

Alexius moves in looking to clinch but Hardy pushes him off.
Alexius tries to clinch up.
Alexius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alexius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hardy.
Alexius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hardy.
Alexius wants to clinch up but Hardy keeps it at a distance.
Alexius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Alexius takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Alexius avoids the body shot from Hardy.
Alexius appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hardy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hardy swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexius.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardy gets tackled into the cage by Alexius. Alexius maintains the clinch.
Alexius is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hardy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy blocking some punches.
Alexius is trying to pull guard but Hardy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bessarion Alexius has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alexius tries to throw a body punch but Hardy avoids it by throwing Alexius back against the cage.
Alexius misses with the head strike.
Alexius lands a body punch in the clinch.

Hardy manages to break the clinch.
Alexius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hardy was well out of range. Poor timing from Alexius.
Hardy moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hardy throws out a loose jab but Alexius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alexius tries to clinch but Hardy moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hardy! But no joy.
Alexius tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
Hardy looks to land a combination but Alexius avoids it well.
Bessarion Alexius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alexius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alexius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardy bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Alexius's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexius tries to clinch there but Hardy circles away.
Hardy misses with a looping left.
Hardy keeps the fight on the outside.
Alexius takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alexius looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alexius wants to clinch
and Hardy counters with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardy misses with a shot to the body

and Alexius counters with a single leg into guard. Hardy didn't expect that.
Hardy wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Alexius manages to pass to side control.

Alexius tries to stand but can't do so whilst Hardy controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Alexius trying to control from Hardy's half guard. Hardy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Hardy had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Alexius defends it easily.
Hardy has his hands on Alexius's head, controlling the position.
Hardy is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Alexius dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardy manages to get back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Alexius in particular looking to stall.
Alexius seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Bessarion Alexius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hardy pushes Alexius off looking to stand but Alexius dives back in and keeps control.
Brian Hardy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hardy tries to kick Alexius off in order to stand up. Alexius Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Hardy!
A victorious Brian Hardy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Bessarion Alexius stepped up to the mic, saying 'Oh moth*****r, not again!'.