PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zane Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Kononov (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.

Hardy
vs
Kononov

180 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
203 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zane Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Kononov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy moves in looking to clinch but Kononov pushes him off.
Kononov misses with a kick to the body.
Hardy moves to clinch but Kononov breaks away

and Kononov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nice elbow from Hardy.
Hardy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kononov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Kononov manages to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kononov is on top in guard.
Hardy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hardy thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kononov prevents Hardy from getting back to his feet.
Hardy trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Kononov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kononov passes into half guard.

Kononov wants to work for an arm triangle but Hardy is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kononov trying to control from half guard but Hardy is working away.
Kononov content to control rather than advance.

Kononov decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Kononov pushes Hardy up against the cage in a clinch.
Kononov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hardy smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardy has closed the distance and engaged Kononov in a clinch.
Hardy lands an elbow that stopped Kononov in his tracks for a moment.
Hardy lands an elbow inside.
Hardy lands an elbow that stopped Kononov in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Maksim Kononov has been cut.
Hardy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kononov.
Kononov can't get the takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kononov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kononov tries to break the clinch but Hardy is controlling the position.
Kononov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kononov avoiding damage as Hardy throws knees to the body.
Hardy gets underhooks to prevent Kononov's takedown attempt.
Zane Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Kononov.
Hardy lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kononov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kononov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hardy just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hardy.
Hardy lands an elbow that stopped Kononov in his tracks for a moment.
Hardy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kononov looks winded!
Hardy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kononov.
Kononov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hardy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hardy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That has opened up Maksim Kononov's cut even more.
Hardy lands an elbow inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hardy.
Hardy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kononov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hardy leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kononov is looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hardy.
Hardy lands an elbow inside that Kononov shrugs off.

Kononov is rocked!
Hardy lands a nice elbow.
Kononov is still on wobbly legs! Can Hardy finish him?

The cut above Maksim Kononov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Hardy lands an elbow just above Kononov 's eye.
Hardy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hardy lands an elbow that stopped Kononov in his tracks for a moment.
Hardy jerks Kononov's head down, straight into the path of a devastating knee! Kononov drops to the floor in a crumpled heap! Hardy goes to throw a finishing haymaker but pulls out - good sportsmanship from Hardy because Kononov was completely out of it. That was a nice finish - just the right level of brutality to send everyone home happy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee). Zane Hardy!
During a confident post fight interview, Zane Hardy thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.