PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomo Fez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Xavier Hardy has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hardy
vs
Fez

185 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

194 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tomo Fez!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hardy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fez sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hardy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hardy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hardy preventing the sweep.

Fez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fez pulls Hardy in to control the position.
Hardy won't allow Fez to get back to his feet.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Los Angeles inform us that Fez has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Fez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardy manages to get himself to full guard.

Fez is in close to Hardy's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fez wanted to stand there but Hardy had control of the position.

Hardy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hardy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Fez has passed into side control.
Hardy is trying to get back to half guard.
Hardy is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fez lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Hardy manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fez tries to get to full guard but Hardy has control of the leg.
Fez tries to kick Hardy off but Hardy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hardy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fez is positioning himself well to prevent Hardy advancing to mount.
Hardy is keen to just control but Fez is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fez is looking to improve his position.
Hardy is looking to advance position but Fez won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fez tries to roll over but Hardy keeps him under control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomo Fez dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hardy shoots in and drives through. Fez sprawls well.
Hardy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fez circles away quickly and effectively.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fez.
Fez throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardy tries to clinch up.
Hardy shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Fez counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy shoots for a double leg takedown but Fez sprawls well. He's pushed Hardy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Fez. No joy for Hardy on that attempt.
Hardy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fez doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Hardy fails to land the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fez fails to land the takedown.

Hardy clinches.
Fez prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.
Hardy is looking for a takedown.

Fez pulls guard successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hardy tries to stand but Fez is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fez is controlling Hardy's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fez wants to improve his position but instead Hardy has moved into half guard.
Hardy is pressing down on Fez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fez is holding on for now.
Hardy seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fez is looking to get back to is feet but Hardy passes into side control.
Fez is looking to regain half guard here but Hardy keeps moving and retains side control.
Hardy trying to control the position but Fez is working away.
Fez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fez controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy wants to control but Fez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fez winds up and cracks Hardy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Fez connects with a nice short shot to Hardy's temple.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fez is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hardy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fez scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomo Fez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Fez misses with a few strikes there.

Fez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hardy tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Fez is in Hardy's guard.

Hardy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Fez from controlling successfully.
Fez postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy wants to stand but Fez is controlling the position.
Fez sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fez manages to get himself to full guard.

Fez trying to control the position here.
Hardy trying to control but Fez is working from the bottom.
Fez keeping full guard, as Hardy tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fez controlling the position.
Hardy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hardy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardy misses the body punch

and Fez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hardy!
Hardy bucks up and tries to throw Fez off but instead Fez has got his back!

Fez is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hardy knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hardy for a finish.
Fez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fez looking to break Hardy's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hardy remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Fez will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Hardy trying to control the position but Fez manages to sink in the hooks.
Hardy wants to escape the position.
Hardy trying to control the hands but Fez won't let him.
Hardy is really stuck here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fez is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Hardy is trying to break free.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardy trying to get back to his feet but Fez is in full control for now.
Xavier Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tomo Fez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomo Fez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fez 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomo Fez!
A victorious Tomo Fez thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.