PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Boytsov (ranked 5551 p4p, 3227 weight class) and Mossimo Hardman (ranked 614 p4p, 400 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.

Boytsov
vs
Hardman

180 cm
21
222
1 - 2 - 0

205 cm
20
205
2 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

HARDCORE Threads
Core Combat

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Boytsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mossimo Hardman!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Hardman misses the target.
Boytsov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hardman. Hardman circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Hardman shoots in and gets a takedown into Boytsov's guard.
Boytsov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hardman works over Boytsov with some ground and pound from guard.

Boytsov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hardman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hardman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hardman throws a big right hand that misses.
Hardman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Boytsov's head.

Boytsov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hardman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hardman throwing strikes but missing.
Hardman postures up in Boytsov's guard and throws a big left but Boytsov blocks it.
Boytsov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boytsov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hardman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hardman is working Boytsov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hardman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Boytsov's head.
Hardman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Boytsov working for a triangle but Hardman defends it easily.
Hardman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hardman wants to control from the top but Boytsov keeps moving.
Boytsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hardman.
Boytsov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Boytsov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boytsov keeping full guard, as Hardman tries to pass.
Hardman trying to control the position from guard on top but Boytsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardman postures up and lands a big shot to Boytsov's brow.
Boytsov keeping full guard, as Hardman tries to pass.
Hardman preventing the sweep.
Hardman postures up.
Hardman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hardman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hardman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Boytsov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hardman trying to control the position from guard on top but Boytsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardman tries to free his leg and advance position but Boytsov is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman distracts Boytsov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Boytsov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boytsov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Boytsov looking to control.

Boytsov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boytsov controls Hardman momentarily but Hardman frees himself.
Boytsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardman manages to get himself to full guard.

Hardman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Boytsov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Boytsov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've been hearing that Boytsov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Hardman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hardman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Boytsov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Boytsov scoring with some ground and pound.
Boytsov landing some decent shots from guard.

Hardman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Boytsov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Boytsov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boytsov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mossimo Hardman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Boytsov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Boytsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hardman.
Boytsov staying out of range there.
Boytsov looks to throw the jab but Hardman is out of range.
Boytsov throws a looping overhand right but Hardman ducks down to avoid it.
Hardman takes a swing at Boytsov's ribcage but misses.
Boytsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hardman.
Hardman throws out a counter right but Boytsov avoids it with no problem.
A slow jab from Boytsov misses its intended target.
Boytsov slips under a jab from Hardman.
A big right from Boytsov misses.
Hardman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boytsov defends it well.
Boytsov throws an overhand right that lands on Hardman's shoulder, as Hardman tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hardman misses with a wild body shot.
Hardman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boytsov scores with a jab to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Boytsov. That snapped Hardman's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boytsov scores with a nice right hand.
Hardman takes a swing at Boytsov's ribcage but misses.
Hardman throws a looping overhand right but Boytsov ducks down to avoid it.
Boytsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hardman.
An attempted straight right counter from Boytsov misses the target.
A slow jab from Hardman misses its intended target.
A big right from Hardman misses.
Hardman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Boytsov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hardman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dmitry Boytsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Boytsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Hardman was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Boytsov misses with a hook.

Boytsov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hardman quickly recovers to half guard.
Boytsov is keen to just control but Hardman is a slippery customer.
Dmitry Boytsov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Boytsov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardman actively working from the bottom here.

Boytsov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hardman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Boytsov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hardman wants to improve his position but Boytsov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman keeps trying to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Boytsov lands a nice short elbow.
Hardman is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Boytsov jumps into side control!
Hardman tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Boytsov is trying to get an arm triangle but Hardman is defending well.
Hardman can't do much from the bottom here.

Boytsov tries for a kimura but Hardman is defending well.
Hardman felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Hardman tries to buck Boytsov off but Boytsov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boytsov is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Hardman looks calm but he's in trouble here. Boytsov gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Hardman is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Boytsov lets go of the hold and Hardman can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Dmitry Boytsov!
Dmitry Boytsov bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.