PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Hardy (ranked 1501 p4p, 163 weight class) and Hiroki Matsuoka (ranked 959 p4p, 101 weight class). Hardy comes to the cage accompanied by Till I Collapse - Eminem. Matsuoka has chosen Tom Petty - Won’t back down as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Hiroki Matsuoka acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Hardy
vs
Matsuoka

168 cm
34
147 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

176 cm
37
155 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jacob Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroki Matsuoka!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy stuns Matsuoka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Hardy instigates a clinch.
Hardy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matsuoka's efforts to push away.
Matsuoka tries to work over Hardy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuoka throws an elbow but misses.
Matsuoka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuoka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardy digs a right hand into Matsuoka's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matsuoka's gas tank.
Matsuoka throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardy.
Matsuoka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hardy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hardy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuoka lands with a short shot to the head.
Matsuoka missing with knees to the body.
Hardy lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hardy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsuoka trying to stall but Hardy improves his position.
Hardy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hardy misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy dodges an elbow strike from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hardy's elbow.
Matsuoka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hardy's elbow.
Hardy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
Matsuoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hardy is defending well for now.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Matsuoka scores with a shot to the side of Hardy's head.
Matsuoka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Hardy scores with a shot to the side of Matsuoka's head.
Hardy misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
Matsuoka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hardy avoids it.
Hardy tries to throw a body punch but Matsuoka avoids it by throwing Hardy back against the cage.
Matsuoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hardy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuoka tries to work over Hardy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsuoka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuoka trying to control the position but instead, Hardy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matsuoka into the cage.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hardy tries a body shot but Matsuoka blocks it.
Matsuoka managing to block the knees to the body from Hardy.
Hardy lands a left hand.
Hardy lands with a left to the head.
Hardy can't find room to land a body shot as Matsuoka controls the action.
Hardy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hardy tries a body shot but Matsuoka blocks it.
Hardy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardy tries a body shot but Matsuoka blocks it.
Matsuoka misses with some punches.
Matsuoka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardy prevents a body shot from Matsuoka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Matsuoka fails to land.
Matsuoka misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardy.
Matsuoka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Hardy scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hardy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hardy has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuoka.
Hardy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matsuoka can't find room to land a body shot as Hardy controls the action.
Hardy takes a shot to the head.
Good body shot from Hardy.
Matsuoka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardy dodges an elbow strike from Matsuoka.
Hardy can't find room to land a body shot as Matsuoka controls the action.
Matsuoka blocking some punches.
Hardy misses with a body punch.
Hardy lands a nice shot to the body.
Matsuoka lands with a light punch inside.
Matsuoka can't find room to land a body shot as Hardy controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy has Matsuoka pressed against the cage, preventing Matsuoka from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matsuoka swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardy connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Hiroki Matsuoka has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardy blocks a body shot from Matsuoka.
Hardy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matsuoka.
Hardy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hardy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka misses with an elbow over the top.
Matsuoka presses Hardy against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hardy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardy tries to throw a body punch but Matsuoka avoids it by throwing Hardy back against the cage.
Hardy lands a nice knee to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hardy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Hardy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hiroki Matsuoka's cut.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matsuoka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsuoka takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hardy throws a hook to the side of Matsuoka's head but Matsuoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hiroki Matsuoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardy lands a jab to Matsuoka's midsection.
Matsuoka throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Hardy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matsuoka doesn't seem phased though.
Hardy scores with a hook to the body. Matsuoka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A head kick by Matsuoka misses
and Hardy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hardy lands with a cross.
Matsuoka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hardy's head backwards.
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 swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hardy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matsuoka can do to turn this around?
Matsuoka throws a looping overhand right but Hardy ducks down to avoid it.
Hardy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuoka.
Jacob Hardy is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsuoka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hardy cracks Matsuoka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Matsuoka pushes Hardy up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A frustrated look appears on Matsuoka's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuoka swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuoka misses with the head strike.
Hardy misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hardy.
Matsuoka struggles to land a body shot inside as Hardy controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Matsuoka fails to land.
Matsuoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jacob Hardy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hardy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Matsuoka manages to break the clinch.
Hardy takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hardy checks a leg kick.
Matsuoka dips to his left and cracks Hardy with an uppercut!
Hardy attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Matsuoka steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hardy.
Hardy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuoka.
Hardy slips a jab from Matsuoka.
Hardy is looking to counter punch.
Hardy throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardy takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardy closes the distance and pushes Matsuoka back into the cage.
Hardy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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 scores with a shot to the side of Matsuoka's head.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matsuoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuoka throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Hardy lands a hook that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hardy.
Matsuoka tries a body shot but Hardy blocks it.
Hardy lands an uppercut.
Matsuoka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hardy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
Hardy prevents a body shot from Matsuoka.
A short left from Hardy.
Hardy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike.
Hardy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matsuoka's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Hardy.
Hardy avoiding damage as Matsuoka throws knees to the body.
Matsuoka throws an elbow but it misses.
Hardy struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuoka controls his hands.
Hardy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuoka avoiding damage.
Hardy misses with a body punch.
Hardy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
A short right from Hardy on the inside.
Matsuoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matsuoka.
Matsuoka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardy.
Hardy cracks Matsuoka with a nice body shot.
Matsuoka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matsuoka working aggressively here.
Hardy struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuoka controls his hands.
Matsuoka tries a body shot but Hardy blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy lands a hook that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
Hardy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matsuoka tries to work over Hardy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsuoka stalling the fight.
Hardy blocks a body shot from Matsuoka.
Hardy misses with a punch to the body.
Hardy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matsuoka's efforts to push away.
Hardy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matsuoka backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy misses with some punches.
Matsuoka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A body shot lands from Hardy.
Matsuoka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hardy.
Hardy is working Matsuoka over against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuoka throws a head punch that misses.
Matsuoka misses with an elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matsuoka lands an uppercut.
Matsuoka misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Hardy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hiroki Matsuoka's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Matsuoka staying out of range there.
Hardy misses with a low kick as Matsuoka jumps back.
Hardy walks into a left hand.
Matsuoka checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsuoka scores with a nice strike.
Matsuoka misses with a hook. Hardy ducked under it nicely.
Hardy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuoka.
Hardy throws out a loose jab but Matsuoka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Matsuoka on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matsuoka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matsuoka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy moves out of range of the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardy misses the target.
Matsuoka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hardy throws a good cross that connects.
Matsuoka throws a shot from downtown. Hardy moves away and avoids it.
A low kick from Matsuoka misses
and Hardy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice body kick from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka looks to throw the jab but Hardy is out of range.
Matsuoka throws a front kick aimed at Hardy's knee but Hardy avoids it well.
Hardy throwing a counter right hand but Matsuoka manages to avoid it.
Hardy moves in looking to clinch but Matsuoka pushes him off.
Hardy looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuoka is just out of range.
Matsuoka scores with a hook.
A big right from Hardy misses.
Matsuoka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hardy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big right from Matsuoka misses.
Hardy misses with a double jab.
Matsuoka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardy throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matsuoka throws a big shot that misses.
Hardy slips under a jab.
Matsuoka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy misses with a low kick.
Hardy blocks a head kick by Matsuoka.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardy throws a jab when Matsuoka was well out of range.
Matsuoka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hardy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matsuoka throws out a counter right but Hardy avoids it with no problem.
Hardy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matsuoka.
Hardy throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsuoka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hardy throws a low kick but Matsuoka avoids it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Matsuoka - that will leave a mark!
Matsuoka misses with a head kick.
Matsuoka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hardy changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hardy throws a hook to the side of Matsuoka's head but Matsuoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hardy throws a right hand that misses
enabling Matsuoka to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuoka throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A big left from Hardy misses.
Matsuoka tries a quick counter leg kick but Hardy is wise to it.
Matsuoka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Matsuoka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matsuoka.
Matsuoka walks into a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuoka. Hardy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardy lands with a good body shot.
Hiroki Matsuoka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardy cracks a nice hook into Matsuoka's ribs.
Matsuoka misses with a leg kick
and Hardy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hardy avoids the head kick by Matsuoka.
Matsuoka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice jab there from Hardy.
Matsuoka looks to land a left hand but Hardy moved out of range nicely.
Hardy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardy takes a swing at Matsuoka's ribcage but misses.
Hardy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hardy avoids the head kick by Matsuoka.
Hardy throwing a counter right hand but Matsuoka manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuoka.
Hardy throws a quick counter kick to the body but Matsuoka avoids it.
Hardy lands with a nice body punch.
Hardy cracks Matsuoka with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hardy connects with the punch.
Matsuoka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hardy's sensitive parts.
A leg kick checked by Hardy.
Matsuoka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hardy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Hardy connects with a nice looking jab.

Matsuoka is rocked!
A slapping leg kick lands for Hardy.
Hardy throws a leg kick which misses Matsuoka's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsuoka tries to avoid it.
Hardy cracks the inside of Matsuoka's front leg.
Hardy moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuoka is still on wobbly legs! Can Hardy finish him?
Matsuoka misses with a looping right.
Matsuoka seems to have recovered his senses.
Hardy throws a hook to the side of Matsuoka's head but Matsuoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Hardy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Hardy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hardy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Hardy!
Jacob Hardy decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.