PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Bader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hanson has chosen Darker Side of Me by The Veer Union as his entrance music. Matt Hanson struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Matt Hanson looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Bader
vs
Hanson

189 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

181 cm
22
211 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ryan Bader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Hanson!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bader looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bader misses with a double jab.
Bader connects with the punch.

It looks like Matt Hanson has been cut.
Bader throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bader bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hanson.
Hanson looks gassed!
Hanson dodges the punch combination from Bader.
Bader misses with a series of wild punches.
Hanson moves in looking to clinch but Bader pushes him off.
Bader connects with the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bader misses with a double jab.
Bader misses with a few strikes there.
Bader misses with a straight right.
Bader connects with a looping right hand.

Bader drops Hanson with a right and a left! Bader comes rushing in but Hanson regains his composure and manages to keep Bader in guard.

Hanson is rocked!

Bader stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bader lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Bader.
Bader misses with a few strikes there.
Bader throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bader is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hanson.
Hanson has a takedown stuffed.
A jab from Bader finds it's way through Hanson's defenses.
Bader missing with a left hand there. Hanson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hanson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bader.

Hanson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bader napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bader is trying to buck Hanson off.
Hanson is looking to take a break and control but Bader is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Hanson crashes against the mat.
Bader bucks up and tries to throw Hanson off but instead Hanson has got his back!
Hanson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bader doesn't escape.
Bader knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hanson on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanson lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

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.
Bader covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Bader preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hanson.
Bader is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanson scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Bader is looking for a way out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Bader dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Hanson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hanson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ryan Bader seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bader lands with a nice combination. Hanson backs away looking to recover.
Bader connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hanson. Hanson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hanson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ryan Bader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bader works over Hanson's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Bader throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bader lands with a hook. Hanson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Hanson takes the fight into the clinch.
Bader blocks an elbow strike from Hanson.
Bader wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hanson misses with an elbow over the top.
Bader wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bader wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hanson has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bader tries to break the clinch but Hanson is controlling the position.

Hanson manages to pull guard.
Hanson looking to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hanson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hanson controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bader wants to stand and escape but instead Hanson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Bader utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Hanson gets to his feet. Bader looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hanson blocks a jab.
Bader looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Hanson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hanson wants to control from the top but Bader keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Bader is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hanson is controlling him.
Hanson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bader misses with a wild combination.
Hanson misses with a takedown attempt - Bader sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hanson trying to control the position but instead, Bader has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hanson into the cage.
A knee to the head by Hanson.
Bader wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bader wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hanson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bader's defenses.
Bader tries to break free but Hanson pushes him back against the cage.
Hanson lands a damaging elbow.
Hanson scores with a knee to the head.
Hanson stalling the fight.
Hanson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bader prevents it.
Hanson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Bader dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matt Hanson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hanson looks to land a left hand but Bader moved out of range nicely.
Bader connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice shot by Bader.
Bader looks to land a left hand but Hanson moved out of range nicely.
Bader throws a nice looking combination but Hanson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bader tries to bum rush Hanson with a series of wild strikes but Hanson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hanson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bader sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bader misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hanson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Hanson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hanson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bader just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bader is looking to break free of the clinch but Hanson has double underhooks.
Bader tries to circle away but Hanson has him pinned against the cage.
Bader is looking to break free of the clinch but Hanson has double underhooks.
Bader tries to break the clinch but Hanson is controlling the position.
Hanson keeps control of Bader as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hanson keeps control of Bader as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bader is trying to force a seperation but Hanson has the dominant position.
Bader looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bader looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hanson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bader wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bader looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bader is trying to break the clinch but Hanson has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Hanson.
Hanson lands a damaging elbow.
Hanson has Bader pressed against the cage, preventing Bader from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hanson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Hanson.
Bader tries to circle away but Hanson has him pinned against the cage.
Bader tries to break free but Hanson pushes him back against the cage.
Bader tries to break the clinch but Hanson is controlling the position.

Hanson manages to break the clinch.
Bader looks to land a combination but Hanson avoids it well.
Bader bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hanson's head backwards.
Hanson slips a jab and a cross from Bader.
Good exchange - Bader coming out on top.
Hanson needs to keep his hands up - Bader had a free shot at his head there.
Hanson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bader misses with a double jab.
Ryan Bader is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bader throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Hanson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hanson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bader's efforts to push away.
Hanson lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hanson jumps guard and drags Bader to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bader stopping the sweep attempt from Hanson.

Hanson is working an open guard so Bader takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bader throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hanson.
Bader is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bader throws a series of punches but Hanson avoids them all with ease.
Good leg kick by Hanson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bader connects with a nice looking jab.
Bader will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hanson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bader throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bader moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bader looks to land a combination but Hanson avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bader circles away quickly and effectively.
Hanson needs to keep his hands up - Bader had a free shot at his head there.
Bader throws a shot from downtown. Hanson moves away and avoids it.
No joy there for Bader, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hanson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hanson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bader misses with the combination.
Bader throws a left and a right that both miss

so Hanson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hanson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A telegraphed right hand from Bader misses the target.
Hanson wants to clinch up but Bader keeps it at a distance.
Hanson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bader looks to land a combination but Hanson avoids it well.
Bader circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanson dodges the punch combination from Bader.
Bader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bader tries to keep at a distance but Hanson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hanson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ryan Bader has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Hanson.
Hanson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bader's defenses.
Hanson tries to land a knee to the head but Bader blocks with his arms.
Hanson misses with an elbow over the top.
Hanson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hanson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bader is looking to break free of the clinch but Hanson has double underhooks.

Hanson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Bader, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bader misses with a double jab.
Bader misses with a combination
and Hanson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hanson shoots in but Bader avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bader listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Matt Hanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bader falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hanson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hanson.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matt Hanson.
I think Bader 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Bader!