PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stu Radford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronald Hardwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Radford comes to the cage accompanied by Status Quo - Rockin All Over the World . We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Radford
vs
Hardwa

170 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Stu Radford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ronald Hardwa!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Radford misses with a double jab
enabling Hardwa to counter with a crisp jab.
Radford closes the distance and clinches up with Hardwa, looking for a takedown. Radford pushes Hardwa against the cage but Hardwa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Radford throws a combination that misses
letting Hardwa counter with a right hand.
Radford shoots in looking for a takedown but Hardwa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Radford's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Radford shoots in but Hardwa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stu Radford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Radford misses with a takedown attempt
and Hardwa counters with a stiff right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Radford.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hardwa is defended easily by Radford.
Radford displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hardwa.
Hardwa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Radford moves to clinch but Hardwa breaks away

and Hardwa counters by clinching up.
Hardwa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Radford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Radford is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Hardwa breaks the clinch.
Hardwa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Radford.
Radford tries to clinch up
and Hardwa counters with a left and a right that stings Radford.
Radford misses with a double jab

and Hardwa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hardwa.
Hardwa tries for a takedown. No joy.

Hardwa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Radford shoots for a double leg takedown but Hardwa sprawls well. He's pushed Radford's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Hardwa drives through and clinches with Radford against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hardwa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwa fails to pull guard.

Hardwa manages to break the clinch.

Hardwa instigates a clinch.

Hardwa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hardwa shoots in for a takedown but Radford shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Hardwa darts in and clinches Radford up against the cage.

Hardwa breaks the clinch.
Hardwa circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hardwa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Radford trying to control but Hardwa postures up.
Radford works his way to full guard. Good work.
Radford is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hardwa wants to pass the guard but Radford is keeping the position.
Hardwa 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ronald Hardwa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Hardwa rushes Radford and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardwa stalling in the clinch.

Hardwa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hardwa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hardwa.

It looks like Stu Radford has been cut.
Hardwa shoots in but no luck this time.
Radford keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Radford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hardwa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Radford at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Radford throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hardwa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hardwa.
Hardwa tries to score a body lock takedown but Radford shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Radford. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Hardwa tries to land knees in the clinch but Radford avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronald Hardwa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stu Radford's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hardwa closes the distance and pushes Radford back into the cage.

Hardwa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hardwa has a takedown stuffed.
A slow jab from Radford misses its intended target.

Hardwa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Radford, pushing him back against the cage.

Hardwa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Radford stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Radford wants it to stay on the feet.
Radford throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hardwa's waist but Hardwa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Radford off to one side.
Hardwa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stu Radford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronald Hardwa.

Radford shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Radford was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Radford can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hardwa is looking to escape.

Radford stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radford misses with a takedown attempt - Hardwa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Hardwa. No joy for Radford on that attempt.

Hardwa darts in and clinches Radford up against the cage.
Radford gets underhooks to prevent Hardwa's takedown attempt.
Radford gets underhooks to prevent Hardwa's takedown attempt.

Hardwa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hardwa drives through and clinches with Radford against the cage.

Hardwa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hardwa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Radford prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hardwa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hardwa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Radford prevents it.
Hardwa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Radford walks away with a smile on his face. Hardwa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ronald Hardwa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Radford misses with a takedown attempt - Hardwa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Hardwa moves into the clinch.

Hardwa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardwa 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.

Hardwa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Radford defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwa has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hardwa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Radford wants to get up but he can't break Hardwa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Radford loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Radford trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hardwa's guard.

Radford drops back looking for a leg! Hardwa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hardwa manages to kick Radford off! Radford jumps back into Hardwa's guard.

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.
Hardwa pulls Radford in close to his closed guard and prevents Radford from doing any damage or advancing position.

Hardwa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Radford defends well.

Radford drops back looking for a leg! Hardwa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hardwa manages to kick Radford off! Radford jumps back into Hardwa's guard.
Hardwa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Radford. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Radford preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ronald Hardwa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Stu Radford's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from Hardwa.
Hardwa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Radford as he jumps to the side.
Radford tries to clinch but Hardwa moves away

and Hardwa counters by moving into the clinch.
Hardwa tries to pull guard but Radford won't allow it.
Hardwa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Radford prevents it.
Stu Radford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronald Hardwa.
Hardwa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hardwa prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardwa stalling the fight.
Radford wants to get back to striking at distance but Hardwa won't allow it.

Hardwa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwa shoots in for a double leg but Radford sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Radford swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Hardwa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Radford has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Hardwa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hardwa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Hardwa has managed to clinch.
Radford misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwa presses Radford against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Hardwa jumps into guard, dragging Radford to the mat.
Hardwa is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hardwa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hardwa keeping moving, preventing Radford from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwa wants to stand up but Radford is controlling him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hardwa stuffs the takedown.
Radford tries to clinch but fails miserably
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Radford swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hardwa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Hardwa has Radford up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardwa can't get the takedown.
Hardwa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Radford pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stu Radford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radford misses with a takedown

and Hardwa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hardwa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Radford pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Hardwa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hardwa fails with the takedown.
Radford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardwa swivels and escapes.
No luck for Radford with that takedown attempt.
Hardwa throws a head kick that Radford semi-blocks.
Radford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardwa swivels and escapes.

Hardwa closes the distance and clinches.

Hardwa decides to pull guard.
Hardwa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Radford is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Radford would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Radford won't allow Hardwa to sweep him here.
Hardwa has a closed guard, preventing Radford from standing up.
Hardwa keeping moving, preventing Radford from controlling successfully.
Stu Radford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ronald Hardwa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stu Radford wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Hardwa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronald Hardwa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hardwa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronald Hardwa!