PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zygor Bane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bane
vs
Hardy

185 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zygor Bane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hardy throws a front kick aimed at Bane's knee but Bane avoids it well.
Dan Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bane scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bane trying to control the position but Hardy is working away.

Hardy sneaks out the side door and pushes Bane away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Bane looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hardy wants to stand but Bane is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bane trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bane stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bane prevents Hardy from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bane tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardy is retaining full guard.
Hardy wants to stand up but Bane is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hardy is looking to land body kicks.
Bane is looking to score with low kicks.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hardy scores with a head kick.
Hardy throws a leg kick that is checked

and Bane decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hardy's guard.
Bane stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bane won't allow Hardy to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardy looks gassed!
Bane tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardy is retaining full guard.
Bane is working hard here to advance position.
Hardy wants to stand but Bane is controlling the position.
Bane content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bane trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardy scores with a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hardy.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick and Bane moves out of range easily.
A head kick by Hardy misses

and Bane counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hardy!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bane cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hardy is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Bane wants to control the pace but Hardy is squirming around nicely.
Hardy wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Bane landing strikes from the mount and Hardy is in trouble!

Bane working for a guillotine from mount but Hardy is in no mood to give up.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bane working for a guillotine from mount but Hardy is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bane jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hardy manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bane wants to stand but Hardy is controlling his arm.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hardy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hardy tries a head kick but it misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bane crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hardy - the referee stops the clock and Bane gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hardy. Bane manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Bane shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice body kick there by Hardy.
Hardy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses

and Bane decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hardy's guard.
Bane stops Hardy from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bane would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hardy wants to stand and escape but Bane is having none of it.
Bane trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hardy pushes Bane off and scrambles back to his feet.
Bane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hardy as he avoids it easily.
Hardy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hardy scores with a leg kick.
Bane pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bane shoots in but Hardy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zygor Bane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardy tries a head kick but it misses.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hardy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zygor Bane dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hardy throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bane's head.
Bane blocks a leg kick.
Hardy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hardy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bane will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardy moves out of range of the leg kick from Bane.
Hardy throws a head kick that half lands.

Bane moves into the clinch.

Bane tightens his grip and picks Hardy up, before dumping him to the ground. Hardy manages to land in guard.
Hardy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bane is controlling him.

Hardy pushes Bane off and scrambles back to his feet.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bane fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardy throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bane counters with an inside leg kick.
Bane shoots in for a double leg but Hardy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zygor Bane. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Bane.
Bane avoids the head kick by Hardy.
Dan Hardy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardy scores with a head kick.
Hardy thuds his shin into the meat of Bane's side.
Hardy throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bane lands with a slapping head kick.

Bane fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hardy, pushing him back against the cage.
Bane keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bane is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hardy can't break the clinch.
Bane wants to stall.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Hardy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zygor Bane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bane takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hardy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hardy bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hardy throws a head kick but Bane moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bane takes a step back to recover.
Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bane takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hardy tries a head kick but it misses.
Bane on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hardy. Hardy obviously looking to wear him down.
Hardy throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bane.
Bane has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hardy.
Bane will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hardy lands a high kick!
Hardy throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hardy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Bane tries for a takedown but Hardy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick

so Bane counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy is looking to stand up but Bane isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy keeping full guard, as Bane tries to pass.

Bane gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bane looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hardy.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bane pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick

and Bane counters with a single leg into guard. Hardy didn't expect that.
Hardy wants to stand up but Bane is controlling him.
Bane trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hardy has his feet on Bane's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bane shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardy tries to sprawl out of it but Bane keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardy throws a lazy head kick
and Bane counters with an outside leg kick.
Hardy throws a lazy head kick

and Bane counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bane.
Bane fails to pull guard.

Hardy manages to break the clinch.
Bane looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hardy is fending him off so far but Bane persists. Nope, Hardy circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bane changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hardy tries to avoid it but Bane manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hardy to the ground. Hardy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bane walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hardy.
A solid body kick from Hardy.
Bane takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bane crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hardy - the referee stops the clock and Bane gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hardy. Bane manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hardy tries to work over Bane's front leg with a kick but Bane checks it.
Hardy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bane tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zygor Bane will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardy walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bane checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bane shoots in but Hardy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Hardy scores with a spinning back kick!
Hardy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bane. That did some damage!
Bane checks a low kick from Hardy.
Hardy lands a high kick!
Hardy throws a head kick that misses.
Hardy lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bane takes a kick to the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Hardy.
Bane is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hardy, right into the meat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick and Bane moves out of range easily.
Bane throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hardy's waist but Hardy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bane off to one side.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hardy scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy throws a lazy head kick
and Bane counters with a thumping low kick.
Hardy lands a head kick. Bane smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hardy lands with a slapping head kick.
A head kick by Hardy misses
and Bane counters with a nice kick to the body.
Bane blocks a head kick by Hardy.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Hardy throws a half hearted mid kick.
A lazy body kick from Hardy
enabling Bane to counter with a crisp jab.
Hardy explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Hardy throws a sloppy head kick and Bane moves out of range easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hardy.
Dan Hardy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardy throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bane chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bane avoids a kick to the body.
Hardy lands with a nice body kick.
Hardy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bane shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zygor Bane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bane fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bane chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hardy can pounce on him.
Hardy lands a high kick!
Hardy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hardy lands with a nice body kick.
Hardy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses

and Bane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bane.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hardy uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Hardy connects with a solid leg kick.
Hardy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hardy stuffs the takedown attempt from Bane. Bane gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Hardy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bane takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Bane forces Hardy back against the cage and clinches.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bane landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Hardy manages to break the clinch.
Hardy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bane throws a push kick but Hardy slaps the foot to one side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hardy.
A head kick from Hardy lands but Bane takes it in his stride.
Bane throws a head kick that misses.
Bane misses with a takedown attempt - Hardy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bane shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.
Hardy tries to land a body kick
and Bane counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hardy throws a head kick but Bane moves out of range.
Zygor Bane is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy tries to land a leg kick but Bane saw it coming and moves away.
Bane shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.
A big right from Bane misses.
Hardy lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hardy.
Hardy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bane avoids the head kick by Hardy.
A solid body kick from Hardy.
Hardy throws the kick towards the body but Bane avoids it.
Bane blocks a leg kick.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses

and Bane counters with a single leg into guard. Hardy didn't expect that.

Bane is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hardy pushes Bane off and scrambles back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bane has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zygor Bane!