PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Malcomn Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stratton Hartford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malcomn Brown has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Brown
vs
Hartford

190 cm
31
181 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

190 cm
21
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Malcomn Brown!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stratton Hartford!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hartford 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.
Hartford is stalling in the full guard.
Hartford must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hartford's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Hartford got a little sloppy there for a moment and Brown has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hartford has managed to get both his arms back between Brown's legs - danger averted.
Hartford slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Brown controls Hartford momentarily but Hartford frees himself.
Hartford showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hartford fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hartford tries for a takedown but Brown circles away easily
and Brown connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hartford has a takedown stuffed.
Malcomn Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stratton Hartford.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hartford tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Brown paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hartford shoots in but Brown avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brown displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hartford.

Hartford decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Still in half guard, Hartford seems content to control.
Brown is looking to improve his position.
Brown wants to control but Hartford is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Brown tries to get to full guard but Hartford has control of the leg.
Hartford is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Brown tries to roll over but Hartford keeps him under control.
Brown has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hartford is working away from the top position though.
Hartford controlling the pace.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hartford changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Brown looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartford moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Brown tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hartford wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Brown scores with a shot to the body.
Hartford avoids the strikes from the bottom by Brown.
Brown is trying to improve his position.
Brown is not content to let Hartford control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown being controlled for a moment.

Hartford decides to take the fight back to the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brown looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Brown looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hartford looks to clinch
and Brown counters with a straight right hand.
Stratton Hartford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brown tries to close the distance and clinch but Hartford swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hartford looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Brown being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartford wants to control from the top but Brown keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Brown working for a triangle but Hartford defends it easily.
Brown thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hartford 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.
Hartford is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brown tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hartford 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.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hartford shoots in and drives through. Brown sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hartford.
Brown tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hartford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stratton Hartford dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Brown moves out of range as Hartford throws a body kick.
Hartford looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Hartford clinches up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Brown takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hartford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hartford is stalling here.
Brown misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hartford leaning against his opponent.
Hartford blocks an uppercut.
Brown working aggressively here.
Brown has a couple of punches blocked by Hartford.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford'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.
Brown working aggressively here.
Hartford stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Brown misses with a punch on the inside.
Brown misses with a punch on the inside.
Hartford blocking some punches.
Hartford stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Brown throws a head punch that misses.
Hartford'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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hartford holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hartford wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Stratton Hartford.
Brown doesn't manage to clinch there - Hartford circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hartford.
Brown tries to clinch
and Hartford counters with a head kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hartford.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford trying to control the position but Brown is working away.
Brown is being controlled here.
Brown is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hartford off and has taken his back!

Brown working for a choke but Hartford is defending well.

Brown is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Brown is throwing shots to the body but Hartford manages to wriggle free. Brown pounces on him again and ends up in Hartford's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hartford is keeping the position for now.
Hartford keeping moving, preventing Brown from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brown is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hartford is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Brown loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Malcomn Brown will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Brown pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hartford tries for a takedown but Brown sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hartford closes this distance looking for a takedown but Brown circles away.
Brown leaves Hartford with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malcomn Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stratton Hartford.
Hartford checks the leg kick nicely there.
Brown swats away the attempt to clinch by Hartford.

Hartford scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hartford is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Brown has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hartford wants to free his trapped foot but Brown is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Brown is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hartford tries to pass to full mount but Brown defends it.
Hartford wants to take a breather but Brown is having none of it.
Brown missing with punches from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Brown looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hartford trying to control from Brown's half guard. Brown has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hartford content to stall in guard here.
Hartford won't allow Brown to sweep him here.
Hartford trying to control but Brown is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Stratton Hartford.
Brown displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hartford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brown shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hartford is trying to defend but Brown finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Brown wants to work for an arm triangle but Hartford is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Brown is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Brown is trying to work for a kimura but Hartford is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford won't allow Brown to pass to mount.
Hartford gets back to full guard.
Hartford working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Brown.
Brown trying to control but Hartford is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown distracts Hartford with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Brown prevents Hartford from getting back to his feet.
Brown wants to pass the guard but Hartford is keeping the position.
Brown throws a strike but Hartford rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hartford controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Brown controls Hartford momentarily but Hartford frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Malcomn Brown did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hartford with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Hartford looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Brown had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hartford defends it easily.
Brown can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hartford controls the pace.
Brown looking for a sweep. Not yet Brown, not yet.
Hartford engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Brown wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hartford looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hartford shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hartford was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford trying to control the action but Brown is working from the bottom.
Brown stops Hartford from passing to mount.
A lull in the action here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Brown tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Stratton Hartford wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hartford shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Brown gets tackled into the cage by Hartford. Hartford maintains the clinch.
Hartford stalling the fight.
Brown working aggressively here.
Brown wants to get back to striking at distance but Hartford won't allow it.
Brown is looking to control Hartford's arms but Hartford gets an underhook and turns him. Now Brown has his back to the cage.
Brown using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hartford has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Brown pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hartford just leaning against Brown, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Brown has a couple of punches blocked by Hartford.
Brown throws a punch but it's blocked by Hartford.
Brown misses with some punches.
Brown fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hartford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brown fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Brown.
Brown being controlled against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Brown fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartford blocks an uppercut.
Brown misses with a hook from the clinch.
Brown tries to break free but Hartford pushes him back against the cage.
Brown misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Brown fails to land.
Brown trying to control the position but instead, Hartford has worked for underhooks and has pushed Brown into the cage.
Hartford blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brown has a couple of punches blocked by Hartford.
A head punch on the inside from Brown fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Stratton Hartford will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hartford closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Brown is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartford is controlling the pace.
Hartford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Brown does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Well, if Hartford is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hartford closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Brown did well to prevent Hartford getting side control.
Brown tries to roll over but Hartford keeps him under control.
Hartford seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford wants to free his trapped foot but Brown is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hartford is keen to just control but Brown is a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Brown gets full guard.

Brown looking for a guillotine here but Hartford defends easily.
Hartford preventing the sweep.
Hartford controlling from the top position.
Hartford won't allow Brown to sweep him here.
Hartford is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

Hartford shoots in and gets a takedown into Brown's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartford not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hartford trying to control but Brown is working from the bottom.
Hartford stopping the sweep attempt from Brown.

Brown is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hartford is aware though and is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hartford is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Brown trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stratton Hartford was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hartford shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Brown as he avoids it easily.
Brown attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Brown stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brown wants it to stay on the feet.
Malcomn Brown has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stratton Hartford.
Brown wants to clinch

and Hartford counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Brown's guard now.
Brown wants to sweep here but Hartford controlling him for the moment.
Hartford wants to control from the top but Brown keeps moving.

Brown looking for a guillotine here but Hartford defends easily.
Hartford content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brown misses with a hook from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brown tries to stall but Hartford uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Brown misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stratton Hartford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hartford 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Stratton Hartford!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Stratton Hartford!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Stratton Hartford!

Stratton Hartford wins by unanimous decision!