PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nero Hardy (ranked 495 p4p, 885 weight class) and Rock Romero (ranked 78 p4p, 127 weight class). Rock Romero will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hardy
vs
Romero

180 cm
21
174
7 - 1 - 0

186 cm
21
177
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nero Hardy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rock Romero !
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Dean Styles and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy shoots in looking for a takedown but Romero manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hardy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hardy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Romero .
Romero throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hardy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Romero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Romero misses with a wild combination.
Romero misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Hardy misses the target.
Hardy throws a lazy right hand but Romero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rock Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Romero misses with the combination.
No joy there for Romero , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hardy throws a good cross that connects.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Romero .
Hardy swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Romero misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hardy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Romero lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hardy circles away quickly and effectively.
A counter left hand to the body from Hardy misses its target.
Romero misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero throws a series of punches but Hardy avoids them all with ease.
Hardy lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy misses with a looping left.
Romero 's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Romero duly obliges.
Romero swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardy avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardy avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardy tests Romero 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Romero throws a nice looking combination but Hardy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Romero throws a combination. Hardy tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Romero misses with the combination.
Rock Romero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Romero loads up on a big right hand but Hardy slips the punch.
Romero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hardy moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardy dips to his left and cracks Romero with an uppercut!
Romero looks to land a combination but Hardy avoids it well.
Romero looks to land a combination but Hardy avoids it well.
A big right from Romero misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy misses with a hook.
Romero falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hardy counters by moving into the clinch.
Romero trying to stall but Hardy improves his position.

Hardy ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hardy no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Hardy is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Romero is aware though and is defending well.
Romero is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Romero really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hardy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.
Hardy wants to sweep but no luck.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Hardy is keeping the position.
Romero seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hardy has his foot on Romero 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Romero works his way back into a safe position though.
Romero slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Romero trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.

Hardy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Romero is stalling in the full guard.
Romero is pushing down on Hardy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hardy is fighting to maintain full guard but Romero has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is refusing to be controlled, as Romero sits in half guard.
Hardy wants to control but Romero is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Romero content to control rather than advance.
Romero is continuing to stall.

Hardy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Romero pulls his head out easily.
Hardy is staying active underneath Romero , who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hardy wants to control but Romero is keeping busy.
Romero trying to control from Hardy's half guard. Hardy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Hardy working for a triangle but Romero defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero wants to stand and escape but instead Hardy has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Romero dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Some wild striking there from Romero .
Hardy throws a jab when Romero was well out of range.
Romero throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Romero .
Romero lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hardy circles away quickly and effectively.
Romero misses with a two punch combination.
A counter left hand to the body from Hardy misses its target.
Romero rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Romero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Romero takes a jab right on the kisser.

Hardy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Romero was covering up waiting for the punch and Hardy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nero Hardy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Romero preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hardy throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Romero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hardy throws a big elbow that misses.
Romero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hardy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hardy with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Romero keeps moving.
Hardy with a nice head shot there.
Hardy postures up in Romero 's guard and throws a big left but Romero blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Romero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hardy.
Hardy is in close to Romero 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Romero lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hardy looking for a guillotine here but Romero defends easily.

Hardy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Romero trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Romero wanted to stand there but Hardy had control of the position.
Romero wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Romero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Romero wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is trying to control the position but Romero postures up.

Hardy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Romero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Romero wants to stand but Hardy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hardy is trying to keep Romero in close.
Romero looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hardy wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Hardy has his foot on Romero 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Romero works his way back into a safe position though.
Hardy can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Romero controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Romero is one step ahead there.

Hardy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Romero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Romero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Romero wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Romero is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Hardy is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Romero is aware though and is defending well.

Hardy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Romero gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hardy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Romero got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hardy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Romero has managed to get both his arms back between Hardy's legs - danger averted.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nero Hardy will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Romero lands a jab-cross combination.
Romero throws a nice looking combination but Hardy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Romero swings widly with a right hand
and Hardy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Romero fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardy slips under a jab.
Hardy closes the distance and clinches up with Romero , looking for a takedown. Hardy pushes Romero against the cage but Romero circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hardy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romero sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hardy throws a shot from downtown. Romero moves away and avoids it.
Hardy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Romero manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Romero throws a counter combo.
Romero misses with a double jab.
Rock Romero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romero misses with a combination
and Hardy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hardy misses the shot to the body.
Hardy throws a big shot that misses.
Romero is looking for the big counter here.
Romero misses with a wild combination.
Hardy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hardy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nero Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romero misses with a wild combination.
Romero will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right hand to the body from Hardy.

Romero manages to break the clinch.
Romero rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hardy wants to clinch.
Romero misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardy scores with the left hand. Romero knows he should have avoided that one.
Rock Romero seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hardy.
Romero on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Romero rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hardy counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A right-left combo lands from Romero .
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
Romero misses with a jab, cross combination.
Romero throws a series of punches but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy has a takedown stuffed.
Hardy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Romero misses with the combination.
Romero misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hardy lands a jab to Romero 's midsection.
Romero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hardy throws a looping overhand right but Romero ducks down to avoid it.
Romero throws a right and a left that Hardy avoids nicely.
Romero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero throws a series of punches but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy scores with a jab. Romero acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
Romero misses with a combination
and Hardy counters with a nice uppercut.
Hardy looks to score with a jab to the body but Romero is just out of range.
Hardy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Romero .
Hardy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.
Romero misses with a two punch combination.
Hardy shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
Romero staying out of range there.
Romero 's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Romero duly obliges.
A swing and a miss from Hardy.
Romero tries to bum rush Hardy with a series of wild strikes but Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Romero moves out of range as Hardy strikes.
Romero falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hardy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Romero tries to bum rush Hardy with a series of wild strikes but Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Romero swinging wildly here.
Hardy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Romero ! But no joy.
Romero misses with the combination.
Hardy fails to land the takedown.
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Romero . Those never looked like landing.
Hardy moves away from the strike by Romero .
Romero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Hardy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Romero tries to avoid it but Hardy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Romero to the ground. Romero escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Hardy shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hardy was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hardy in side control, throwing shots but Romero defends.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Romero really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Romero looks to land a combination but Hardy avoids it well.
Hardy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A jab from Hardy misses.
Hardy slips a jab and a cross from Romero .
It looked like Hardy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Romero will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A big left from Hardy misses.
Romero is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Romero tries to sprawl but Hardy drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hardy wants to take a breather but Romero is having none of it.

Hardy wants to work for an arm triangle but Romero is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hardy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero is looking to improve his position.
Hardy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hardy.
Romero trying to hold on to Hardy's head to control him but Hardy postures up.
Hardy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hardy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hardy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Romero moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hardy throws a strike but Romero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero controlling from the top position.
Romero trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Romero 's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hardy managing to control the position.
Romero postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hardy is on top in guard.

Hardy pushing down on Romero 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hardy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Romero defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy trying to control from Romero 's half guard. Romero has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hardy tries to free his leg and advance position but Romero is retaining full guard.
Hardy postures up.
Hardy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hardy slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Romero is not content to let Hardy control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Hardy trying to control the position but Romero is working away.
The ground and pound from Hardy seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Romero being controlled for a moment.
Romero is trying to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nero Hardy had his way with Rock Romero in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hardy moves out of range of the strikes.
Romero fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Romero throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardy.
Hardy throws a lazy right hand but Romero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Romero lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Romero keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardy shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Romero .
Romero shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hardy eats them both and turns towards Romero to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hardy misses with a looping left.
Romero is looking for the big counter here.
Romero cracks Hardy with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Romero throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hardy counters with a nice uppercut.
Romero throws a right hand that Hardy ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardy also avoids with ease.
Romero might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Romero doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Hardy misses.
Romero throws a right hand that Hardy ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardy also avoids with ease.
Left hook, right uppercut from Romero .

Hardy clinches.
Romero misses with some punches.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike.
Hardy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Romero backwards.
Romero working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hardy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Romero lands a nice uppercut.
Hardy lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Romero wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hardy has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Romero .
Hardy lands with a light punch inside.
Romero throws a head punch that misses.

Hardy decides to pull guard.
Romero sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hardy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hardy throws a big elbow that misses.
Hardy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hardy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero keeping moving, preventing Hardy from controlling successfully.

Hardy drops back, looking for a kneebar! Romero looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Romero looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Romero !

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy regains half guard.
Hardy trying to hold on to Romero 's head to control him but Romero postures up.
Romero is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hardy trying to control but Romero postures up.

Hardy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Romero controlling the action here.

Hardy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Still in half guard, Romero seems content to control.

Hardy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Romero trying to control the pace.
Romero wants to control but Hardy is keeping him busy.
Hardy trying to control but Romero postures up.
Romero trying to control the pace.
Romero passes to side control.
You can see the frustration on Hardy's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Romero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardy keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rock Romero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Romero has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rock Romero !
Rock Romero is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Rock Romero , made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.