PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Nizami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bubba Hardcastle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nizami comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Company. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nizami
vs
Hardcastle

178 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Nizami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bubba Hardcastle!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nizami tries to clinch there but Hardcastle circles away.
Hardcastle lands with a kick to the temple. Nizami shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hardcastle shoots in but Nizami avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hardcastle looks to land a combination but Nizami avoids it well.
Nizami slaps away a takedown attempt from Hardcastle, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Nizami shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nizami was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hardcastle is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nizami controlling from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nizami fails to advance to Hardcastle's back.
Nizami looking to finish with strikes here!
Nizami can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hardcastle is looking to escape.
Hardcastle tries to lock up and control but Nizami gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hardcastle working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nizami looking for a guillotine from mount but Hardcastle is having none of it.
Hardcastle is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hardcastle is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hardcastle defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Nizami.
Hardcastle is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hardcastle keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Nizami has control of Hardcastle's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hardcastle regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle wants to hold on but Nizami pushes him away.

Nizami is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Hardcastle to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Hardcastle shrugs it off.
Nizami wants to control the pace but Hardcastle is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nizami stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Nizami is breathing heavily.

Nizami closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle tries to buck Nizami off but Nizami is having none of it.
Nizami taking a breather here.
Nizami trying to control the action but Hardcastle is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nizami working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardcastle is looking for a sweep.
Nizami wants to control but Hardcastle is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Nizami dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nizami displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nizami manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Nizami darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hardcastle misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Hardcastle trying to control from the bottom.
Nizami trying to control the pace.

Nizami is working for a kimura but Hardcastle is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nizami is working for a kimura but Hardcastle is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardcastle wants to control but Nizami is keeping busy.
Hardcastle really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nizami. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nizami scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hardcastle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Nizami is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Alex Nizami overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hardcastle wants to get back to full guard but Nizami has mounted him!

Nizami stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Hardcastle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nizami sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hardcastle somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hardcastle is defended easily by Nizami.
Alex Nizami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba Hardcastle.
Nizami tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hardcastle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nizami tries to clinch there but Hardcastle circles away.
Hardcastle checks a leg kick nicely.

Nizami closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hardcastle quickly recovers to half guard.
Nizami prevents Hardcastle from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardcastle is defending against the submission attempts here by Nizami.
Hardcastle works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nizami preventing the sweep.

Nizami stands and steps away. Hardcastle gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nizami closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hardcastle did well to prevent Nizami getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nizami is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hardcastle doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nizami.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Nizami dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nizami tries to sprawl but Hardcastle drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nizami manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hardcastle postures up.

Hardcastle decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nizami, up you get!
Hardcastle lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Nizami shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcastle is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nizami looking to finish Hardcastle with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hardcastle!
Nizami wants to control the pace but Hardcastle is squirming around nicely.
Hardcastle working to try and regain half guard.

Nizami has hold of Hardcastle's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hardcastle manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hardcastle tries to hold on but Nizami postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Nizami.
Nizami dominating with strikes here.

Nizami looking to secure an arm triangle but Hardcastle defends it well.
Nizami wants to control the pace but Hardcastle is squirming around nicely.
Hardcastle takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hardcastle is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nizami scoring with strikes but Hardcastle is staying in there.
Hardcastle tries to lock up and control but Nizami gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hardcastle working to try and regain half guard.
Hardcastle is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Nizami goes for an armbar but Hardcastle turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle passes Nizami's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nizami is trying to maintain the position but Hardcastle is very close to passing his half guard.
Nizami tries to roll over but Hardcastle keeps him under control.
Bubba Hardcastle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nizami is trying to maintain the position but Hardcastle is very close to passing his half guard.
Alex Nizami is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardcastle missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Nizami.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nizami, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Nizami!