PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arsene Wenger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Hardstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardstone has chosen tempel of india as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Wenger
vs
Hardstone

177 cm
24
164 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
162 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Arsene Wenger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rocco Hardstone!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wenger closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hardstone to the mat! Hardstone manages to get full guard.
Hardstone wants to sweep here but Wenger controlling him for the moment.
Wenger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardstone swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hardstone is on top in guard.

Hardstone avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hardstone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wenger is keeping the position for now.

Wenger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hardstone trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wenger is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hardstone tries to free his leg and advance position but Wenger is retaining full guard.
Wenger is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hardstone scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wenger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wenger scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardstone passes Wenger's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wenger might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wenger makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Wenger.
Hardstone stopping the sweep attempt from Wenger.
Hardstone tries to free his leg and advance position but Wenger is retaining full guard.

Hardstone avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Wenger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hardstone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hardstone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Wenger wants to sweep but no luck.
Wenger controls Hardstone momentarily but Hardstone frees himself.
Wenger is breathing heavily.
Hardstone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wenger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wenger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wenger is working hard here to advance position.
Hardstone must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wenger is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice straight punches there by Wenger. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Wenger.
Hardstone fails to land with a series of punches.
Hardstone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hardstone throws a series of punches but Wenger avoids them all with ease.
Hardstone misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hardstone throws a series of punches but Wenger moves out of range.
Hardstone on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hardstone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardstone misses with the combination.

Wenger darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hardstone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wenger looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Wenger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hardstone is just riding it out for now. Wenger eventually gives up the hold.
Wenger not doing much here.

Wenger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hardstone punching from the bottom.
Wenger is nestled in close to Hardstone, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Wenger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wenger is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wenger looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hardstone with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wenger prevents Hardstone from improving his position.
Hardstone gets back to full guard.
Wenger stopping the sweep attempt from Hardstone.
Wenger advances position into side control!
Hardstone tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wenger trying to control the action but Hardstone is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arsene Wenger dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wenger moves into range and clinches up with Hardstone.
Wenger prevents the takedown attempt.
Hardstone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wenger drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hardstone pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hardstone throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardstone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wenger.
Hardstone lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wenger circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wenger moves into the clinch successfully.

Wenger breaks from the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Wenger.
Rocco Hardstone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, jab by Wenger - just one landing.
Hardstone moves out of range of the body kick from Wenger.
Hardstone is breathing heavily.
Wenger scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wenger has closed the distance and engaged Hardstone in a clinch.
Hardstone wants a takedown.
Arsene Wenger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocco Hardstone.
Hardstone drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wenger pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wenger moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wenger moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wenger lands a nice shot that snaps Hardstone's head back.
Wenger scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wenger fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hardstone is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wenger connects with a right hand. Hardstone shakes it off.
Wenger bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hardstone's head backwards.
Wenger darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wenger scores with a jab to the body.

Wenger gets the takedown into side control.
Wenger landing a few strikes.
Wenger staying calm.
Wenger working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardstone is being controlled here.
Wenger passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hardstone!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wenger is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hardstone can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wenger lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hardstone hang on?
Hardstone is trying to escape the mount.
Wenger scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hardstone?

Wenger is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Wenger!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Arsene Wenger!