PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Preston Broadus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Broadus
vs
Cardinal

177 cm
19
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Preston Broadus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joey Cardinal!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardinal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cardinal shoots for a double leg takedown but Broadus sprawls well. He's pushed Cardinal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Broadus closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Joey Cardinal has been cut.
Broadus tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cardinal on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Broadus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cardinal manages to avoid it.
Broadus shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

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

Broadus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cardinal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cardinal preventing the sweep.
Cardinal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Broadus is keeping the position for now.
Cardinal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cardinal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Broadus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cardinal is one step ahead there.
Broadus tries to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinal advances position into side control!
Cardinal working the ground and pound from side control.
Broadus tries to bench press Cardinal off him but Cardinal keeps the position.
Cardinal postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The referee asks Cardinal politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Cardinal prefers to stall for the moment though.

Cardinal working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Broadus is trying to improve his position.
Broadus wants to get back to his feet but Cardinal drags him back down.
Broadus is breathing heavily.
Broadus regains half guard.
Cardinal is looking to take a break and control but Broadus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Broadus is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cardinal wants to lay and pray for a moment but Broadus keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Broadus throws a hook but Cardinal avoids it easily.
Cardinal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Broadus counters by clinching up.
Cardinal keeps control of Broadus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cardinal stops a takedown attempt from Broadus.
Cardinal tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Broadus smiles and moves away.
Preston Broadus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Cardinal will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Broadus stuffs the takedown attempt from Cardinal. Cardinal gets slowly back to his feet.
Broadus checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Broadus will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Broadus gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cardinal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broadus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cardinal trying to control but Broadus is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cardinal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cardinal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cardinal stands and throws Broadus's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Broadus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cardinal tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Cardinal trying to control the position but Broadus is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Broadus misses with a hook.

Broadus 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.
Broadus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cardinal looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardinal, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broadus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Broadus pushes down on Cardinal's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Broadus passes to full mount!
Cardinal slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Broadus is tying to control. Cardinal wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Broadus wants to free his trapped foot but Cardinal is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cardinal manages to get to full guard.
Cardinal is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Broadus is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Cardinal trying to strike off his back.
Cardinal wants to get back to his feet but Broadus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Broadus controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Preston Broadus will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Broadus misses with a right hand
enabling Cardinal to counter with a crisp jab.
Broadus fails with the takedown

and Cardinal counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Broadus!
Cardinal raining down shots from the mount!
Broadus is squirming around, avoiding Cardinal's attempts to control the action.
Cardinal unloading with bombs!
Cardinal content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Broadus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cardinal with shots to the head and body - Broadus looks very uncomfortable down there.
Cardinal takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Broadus tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinal with the ground and pound from mount.
Broadus working to try and regain half guard.
Cardinal lands with some strikes.
Cardinal working Broadus over with strikes here.
Broadus bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cardinal working a defensive guard here.

Cardinal is looking for a triangle but Broadus pushes his legs off easily.
Broadus keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cardinal's head.
Cardinal manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Broadus is working to get back to half guard.
Broadus tries to hold on but Cardinal postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Broadus is looking to get to half guard.
The referee warns Broadus that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Cardinal prevents Broadus from getting the reversal.
Cardinal landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cardinal scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Broadus?

Cardinal is working for a guillotine from mount but Broadus frees his head quite easily.
Broadus is wriggling around trying to escape.

Cardinal jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Broadus manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Cardinal trying to control the action but Broadus is working from the bottom.
Cardinal working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broadus stops Cardinal from passing to mount.
Broadus is trying to control Cardinal's posture but Cardinal avoids it.
Cardinal connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Broadus some visible discomfort.
Cardinal sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Broadus is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Cardinal trying to control the position but Broadus is working away.

Cardinal working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Joey Cardinal has got the better of the ground game so far.
You can see the frustration on Broadus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Cardinal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Broadus is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Broadus misses with a strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Broadus tries to buck Cardinal off but Cardinal is having none of it.
Broadus is trying to work for a sweep but Cardinal has mounted him!

Cardinal wants to finish this one by submission but Broadus is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cardinal.
Cardinal trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cardinal lands a big shot there that rocks Broadus but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Broadus tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Broadus defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Cardinal.
Broadus really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Cardinal is working for a guillotine from mount but Broadus frees his head quite easily.
Broadus is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Cardinal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Broadus lands a jab to Cardinal's midsection.
Broadus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cardinal.
Broadus fails with the takedown

and Cardinal counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cardinal.
Broadus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Cardinal stands and steps away. Broadus gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Broadus gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cardinal counters with a nice double leg into side control. Broadus won't be happy with that.
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!

Cardinal stands up and beckons Broadus to his feet.
Broadus misses with a takedown attempt

and Cardinal counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Preston Broadus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cardinal is taking a breather. Broadus says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Broadus moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Broadus keeping moving, preventing Cardinal from controlling successfully.
Cardinal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Broadus tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broadus trying to control the position.
Broadus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Broadus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cardinal manages to get himself to full guard.
Cardinal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Broadus trying to control the position from guard on top but Cardinal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cardinal trying to keep a closed guard but Broadus is proving a slippery customer.

Cardinal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cardinal throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Cardinal is trying to keep Broadus in close.
Cardinal looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardinal, not yet.
Cardinal controls Broadus momentarily but Broadus frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt.

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.

Broadus closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Broadus lands in his opponent's guard.

Broadus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Broadus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Cardinal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Broadus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Broadus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Broadus trying to control but Cardinal is working from the bottom.
Cardinal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Broadus is one step ahead there.
Cardinal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cardinal pushes Broadus off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broadus has his takedown stuffed

and Cardinal counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cardinal goes for a takedown attempt but Broadus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Broadus has his takedown stuffed

and Cardinal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cardinal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Broadus working a defensive guard here.

Broadus looking for a guillotine here but Cardinal defends easily.
Cardinal looking to pass the guard.
Cardinal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Broadus is looking for a triangle but Cardinal pushes his legs off easily.
Cardinal trying to control the position from guard on top but Broadus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cardinal trying to control the position from guard on top but Broadus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Broadus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cardinal can't escape the position.
Cardinal wants to hold on but Broadus pushes him away.
Cardinal is trying to escape the mount.
Broadus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Cardinal is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cardinal wants to control but Broadus is having none of it.
Broadus prevents Cardinal from getting the reversal.
Broadus throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Cardinal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cardinal 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Cardinal!