PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Avery (ranked 3682 p4p, 303 weight class) and Mike Hard (ranked 2908 p4p, 258 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.

Avery
vs
Hard

200 cm
22
264 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

210 cm
23
240 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jackson Avery!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Hard!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Ron Honeybunn and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hard tries to bum rush Avery with a series of wild strikes but Avery uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hard scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Jackson Avery has been cut.
Avery takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Avery ducks under a wild hook from Hard.
A left and a right from Hard both land. Nice combination.
Hard misses with a double jab.
Avery changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've been hearing reports that Avery has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Avery moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hard with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Avery shoots in and gets a takedown into Hard's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard working a defensive guard here.
Avery trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Avery controlling Hard's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hard trying to control but Avery is working from the bottom.
Avery has a closed guard, preventing Hard from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Avery controlling Hard's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hard stays in close to Avery's body and controls the position.
Avery pulls Hard in to control the position.
Avery wants to sweep but no luck.

Hard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Jab, jab by Hard - just one landing.
Avery uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hard.
Avery changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Decent striking displayed by Avery there.
Hard misses with a double jab.
Hard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Avery was well out of range. Poor timing from Hard.
Avery appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hard throws a series of punches but Avery avoids them all with ease.
Hard throws a hook but Avery blocks it.
Decent striking displayed by Hard there.
Mike Hard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Avery steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hard.
Hard misses with a wild body shot.
Avery half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mike Hard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avery dodges the punch combination from Hard.
Hard throws a nice looking combination but Avery bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hard throws a combination that misses

and Avery counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Avery tries to move to mount but Hard blocks the move with his legs.

Avery is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hard has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hard struggling a bit here.
Hard is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jackson Avery's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hard throws a shot from downtown. Avery moves away and avoids it.
Avery feinted with a counter takedown.
Hard misses with a two punch combination.
Avery takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Avery lands a lovely overhand right.
Hard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hard misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hard misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Avery was well out of range. Poor timing from Hard.
Hard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Avery drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hard sprawls and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Avery.
A punch combination from Hard misses.
Avery changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Avery.
Avery appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mike Hard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Avery takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Avery lands a lovely overhand right.
Hard scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avery fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Avery avoids the body shot from Hard.
Avery scores with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Avery fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hard manages to avoid it.
Hard throws a counter combo.
Hard throws out a loose jab but Avery uses good head movement to avoid it.
Avery keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Avery changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hard misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Avery's head backwards.
Hard fails to land with a series of punches.
Avery half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Avery looks to score with a jab to the body but Hard is just out of range.

Avery shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Avery showed some decent athleticism there.
Hard wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Avery is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Avery is looking for a kimura here.

Avery wants to work for an arm triangle but Hard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hard is looking for a sweep. Avery is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Avery wants to pass the guard but Hard is defending well.
Hard desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Avery is trying to work for a kimura but Hard is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jackson Avery's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A left lands for Avery.
Hard throws a left and a right that both miss

and Avery counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Avery is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Hard reverses the position - he's now on top in Avery's guard.
Hard wants to control from the top but Avery keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hard stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Avery circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Avery.
Avery dodges the punch combination from Hard.
Hard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hard scores with a nice right hand.
Hard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Avery appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hard misses with a combination

and Avery counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Avery.
Jackson Avery has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hard wants to stand and escape but Avery is having none of it.
Avery forces his way into half guard.

Avery is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hard doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Avery.

Avery is trying to work for a kimura but Hard is defending well.

Avery seems to be working for a kimura but Hard defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Avery tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hard knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Avery is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Hard still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Hard has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Hard tries to stand but Avery is controlling his head.
Avery keeps Hard under control for a moment.
Avery tries to buck Hard off but Hard is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avery struggling a bit here.
Avery stops Hard from passing to mount.
Jackson Avery overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hard wants to control but Avery is keeping him busy.

Hard is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Avery is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Avery is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hard wants to take a breather but Avery is having none of it.
Mike Hard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Avery tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Hard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hard 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 Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Hard!
A very excited looking Mike Hard 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.