PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Faulton Hardstaff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Quinton King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Quinton King is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hardstaff
vs
King

168 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

174 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Faulton Hardstaff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Quinton King!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardstaff fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hardstaff looks for a takedown but King sprawls well.
Hardstaff looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faulton Hardstaff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hardstaff slips a jab and a cross from King.
King connects with a high kick.
King fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardstaff fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A punch combination from King misses.
Hardstaff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardstaff takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hardstaff shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense.
Hardstaff shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hardstaff.
Hardstaff is breathing heavily.
Hardstaff closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Hardstaff pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hardstaff doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
King moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Faulton Hardstaff has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardstaff on the wrong end of a nice hook.
King avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hardstaff clinches with his opponent.
King wants to get back to striking at distance but Hardstaff won't allow it.

King breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
King throws an overhand right that lands on Hardstaff's shoulder, as Hardstaff tries to avoid the shot.
Hardstaff is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hardstaff shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense.
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardstaff shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with King but King pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hardstaff shoots in for a double leg but King sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hardstaff scores with a takedown into King's guard.
King is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
King wants to sweep here but Hardstaff controlling him for the moment.
King manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by King.
Hardstaff wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
King looking to control and managing it successfully.
King has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Let's hope that King has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hardstaff is in all sorts of trouble here.
King landing punches.
King sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardstaff wants to hold on but King pushes him away.
King controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardstaff tries to lock up and control but King gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
King controlling from the full mount.
Hardstaff is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
King controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Quinton King just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardstaff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. King tries to avoid it but Hardstaff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag King to the ground. King escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
King bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hardstaff's head backwards.
Hardstaff looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
King misses with the combination.
King throws a leg kick but Hardstaff sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from King as Hardstaff shoots in.

Hardstaff darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hardstaff wants to control but King is keeping him busy.
King trying to control but Hardstaff postures up.
King scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Hardstaff manages to mount him!
BOOM! Hardstaff connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quinton King dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Faulton Hardstaff's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hardstaff on the wrong end of a nice jab.

King gets caught flat footed, as Hardstaff shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
King controlling Hardstaff's posture.
Hardstaff in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
King looking to control.

Hardstaff drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and King dives on top into guard.
King won't allow Hardstaff to sweep him here.
Hardstaff trying to control the position.
King controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
King's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
King wants to control from the top but Hardstaff keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardstaff wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardstaff keeping moving, preventing King from controlling successfully.
King controlling from the top position.

Despite being in the dominant position, Quinton King just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardstaff staying out of range there.
Hardstaff tries to clinch up but King circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice takedown defense from King. No joy for Hardstaff on that attempt.
King throws a solid leg kick but Hardstaff takes the impact on his shin and smiles at King.
Hardstaff cracks King with a good jab.
Hardstaff closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Hardstaff pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
King throws a good cross that connects.
Hardstaff shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faulton Hardstaff. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hardstaff drives through and clinches with King against the cage.
Hardstaff goes for a takedown attempt but King pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardstaff looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Faulton Hardstaff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hardstaff shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hardstaff showed some decent athleticism there.
Hardstaff seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but King does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
King tries to get to full guard but Hardstaff has control of the leg.
King is not content to let Hardstaff control the position.
King is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
King is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
King regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hardstaff trying to control but King is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardstaff controlling from the top position.
King looking to control.
Hardstaff wants to control from the top but King keeps moving.
King is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
King is just content to waste time from the top position. Hardstaff takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
King stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardstaff swivels though and keeps the full guard.
King trying to control but Hardstaff is working from the bottom.
King trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardstaff is trying to control the position but King postures up.
King lands a couple of digs.

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.
King showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
King passes Hardstaff's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
King slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Quinton King will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Faulton Hardstaff's cut.
That's time! Hardstaff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

King scores with a one two! Hardstaff had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hardstaff blocks a head kick by King.
Hardstaff closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Hardstaff pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hardstaff fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hardstaff is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hardstaff takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
King looks to land a combination but Hardstaff avoids it well.
Hardstaff fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faulton Hardstaff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardstaff fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No joy there for King, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hardstaff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. King tries to avoid it but Hardstaff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag King to the ground. King escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Hardstaff closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
King manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hardstaff's best efforts.
King is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
King moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hardstaff tries to free his leg and advance position but King is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hardstaff is one step ahead there.
Hardstaff is fighting to break King's control of his arms but King is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Faulton Hardstaff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hardstaff wants to control from the top but King keeps moving.
King has his hands on Hardstaff's head, controlling the position.
Hardstaff stopping the sweep attempt from King.
King pulls Hardstaff in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Despite being in the dominant position, Quinton King just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardstaff looks for a takedown but King sprawls well.
Faulton Hardstaff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
King cracks a nice hook into Hardstaff's ribs.
Hardstaff shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hardstaff fails to land the takedown.
Hardstaff fails to land the takedown.
No luck for Hardstaff with that takedown attempt.
King cracks the inside of Hardstaff's front leg.
King keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardstaff shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has King pinned against the cage. King gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

King shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hardstaff's guard.
Hardstaff trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardstaff looking to hit a scissor sweep but King is one step ahead there.

Hardstaff working for a triangle but King defends it easily.
Hardstaff looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hardstaff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hardstaff is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hardstaff pulls King in close to prevent any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Hardstaff tries to keep at a distance but King has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A bit of stalling here from King.

King breaks the clinch.
Hardstaff with a poor takedown
and King counters with a three punch combo that has Hardstaff backing up. Hardstaff nods at King to acknowledge the strikes.
King bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Hardstaff has taken the fight to the clinch.
Faulton Hardstaff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardstaff tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hardstaff jumps guard but King stands there with Hardstaff around his waist. Hardstaff gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
King's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hardstaff works on King's body with a couple of short punches.
King stops a takedown attempt from Hardstaff.
King is pressed up against the cage. Hardstaff has hold of a leg and is looking to drag King down to the mat. King avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hardstaff - that will leave a mark!
Hardstaff gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and King counters with a left and a right that stings Hardstaff.
King listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Quinton King seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A combination from King does no damage.
King scores with a jab. Hardstaff acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hardstaff has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
King ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

King pushes Hardstaff up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Quinton King comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got King winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Quinton King!