PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Nascimento (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardy has chosen Ambitionz Az A Ridah as his entrance music. 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.

Nascimento
vs
Hardy

189 cm
23
198 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
34
202 lbs
20 - 17 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roberto Nascimento!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nascimento manages to avoid it.
Nascimento tries to bum rush Hardy with a series of wild strikes but Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hardy has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nascimento is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nascimento tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Hardy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nascimento connects with a high kick.
Hardy avoids the head kick by Nascimento.
No joy there for Hardy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nascimento tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hardy throws a counter combo.
Hardy wants to slow Nascimento down by chopping away at his legs.
Hardy stuns Nascimento with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hardy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nascimento moves away.
Nascimento seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nascimento tries to clinch there but Hardy circles away.
Nascimento doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Hardy is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nascimento with a body shot.
Roberto Nascimento seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nascimento takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hardy fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy tried to score with a low kick but Nascimento checks it.

Hardy manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nascimento on his heels. He'll look to pass Nascimento's guard now, I'm sure.
Nascimento has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Hardy has passed into side control.
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.
Nascimento is looking to get back to his feet here but Hardy is keeping cool and he's managed to take Nascimento's back.
Nascimento is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Hardy is riding his opponent, not letting Nascimento buck him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nascimento staying busy and making it hard for Hardy to control.
Hardy is not going to allow Nascimento to sit and survive in this position.
Hardy thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Hardy tries to keep control of the position but Nascimento is staying busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nascimento haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nascimento is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Hardy trying to control momentarily.
Nascimento wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardy really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Nascimento.

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.
Hardy controlling well, preventing Nascimento from escaping the position.
Nascimento trying to control the hands but Hardy breaks the grip.
You can see the frustration on Nascimento's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nascimento is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nascimento misses with a lunging right hand
and Hardy counters with a two punch combo.

Nascimento clinches.

Nascimento breaks from the clinch.
Nascimento shoots for a takedown but Hardy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hardy stalks Nascimento and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nascimento's face. Nascimento staggers backwards, shaken.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown but Nascimento shows good takedown defense.
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardy blocks a head kick by Nascimento.
A little jabbing left from Hardy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hardy throws a looping overhand right but Nascimento ducks down to avoid it.
Nascimento tries to land a body kick
and Hardy counters with a left and a right that stings Nascimento.
Hardy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nascimento doesn't seem bothered though.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nascimento misses with a few strikes there.
Nascimento throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nascimento tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nascimento as he avoids it easily.
Hardy misses with a low kick.
Nascimento swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nascimento shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hardy lands a two punch combo.
Roberto Nascimento is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardy misses with the combination.
Andre Hardy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardy shoots in but Nascimento avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roberto Nascimento has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Hardy.
Hardy misses with a wild body shot.
Nascimento wants to clinch but Hardy slips to the side
and Hardy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nascimento thinking.
Hardy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nascimento wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hardy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hardy wants it to stay on the feet.
Hardy throws a body shot but no joy.
Nascimento is looking to counter the offense by Hardy and move into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardy closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nascimento did well to prevent Hardy getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nascimento tries to roll over but Hardy keeps him under control.
Hardy trying to mount his opponent but Nascimento defends it.
Nascimento has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hardy is working away from the top position though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hardy wants to stand but Nascimento has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is just content to waste time from the top position. Nascimento takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hardy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nascimento throws a sloppy head kick and Hardy moves out of range easily.
Nascimento is looking to clinch but Hardy is avoiding it.
Hardy is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hardy looks to score with a jab to the body but Nascimento is just out of range.
Nascimento slips a jab and a cross from Hardy.
Nascimento lands a head kick. Hardy smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nascimento wants to clinch but Hardy slips to the side
and Hardy counters with a three punch combo that has Nascimento backing up. Nascimento nods at Hardy to acknowledge the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nascimento.
Nascimento is looking to clinch but Hardy is avoiding it.
Nascimento scoring well with a low kick there.
Hardy just misses with a punch to the body.
Hardy swings for the body but Nascimento moves out of range.
Nascimento tries to counter with a takedown but Hardy is quick to defend against it.
Nascimento throws a head kick but Hardy moves out of range.
Nascimento misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Nascimento scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy throws a right hand that Nascimento ducks under and follows up with a left that Nascimento also avoids with ease.
Nascimento tries to counter with a takedown but Hardy is quick to defend against it.
Hardy throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nascimento tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
Hardy is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Hardy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. And we move into the final round!

Nascimento takes the fight into the clinch.
Nascimento tries a knee to the head but Hardy blocks it.
Nascimento stalling the fight.

Nascimento pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hardy gets a double leg takedown into Nascimento's guard.
Nascimento is pulling down on Hardy's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy is fighting to break Nascimento's control of his arms but Nascimento is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hardy looking to pass the guard.
Hardy prevents Nascimento from getting back to his feet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nascimento is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nascimento lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nascimento misses with a hook. Hardy ducked under it nicely.
Andre Hardy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hardy lands with a shot to the body.
Nascimento throws a head kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Hardy's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nascimento tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nascimento takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hardy keeps the fight on the outside.
Hardy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nascimento uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Hardy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Despite the aggression on Hardy's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nascimento doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nascimento throws a head kick but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy tries to bum rush Nascimento with a series of wild strikes but Nascimento uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardy. Nascimento does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nascimento tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nascimento looks to land a right hand but Hardy moved out of range.
Hardy avoids the body shot from Nascimento.
Hardy misses with a straight right.
Nascimento changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hardy changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Roberto Nascimento has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nascimento throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardy.
Hardy throws out a counter right but Nascimento avoids it with no problem.
Hardy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nascimento has time to react.
Hardy moves out of range of the strikes.
Hardy is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nascimento with a body shot.
Nascimento tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
Nascimento backing away here, and Hardy unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A combination from Hardy does no damage.
Hardy just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromNascimento.
Nascimento pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hardy is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy throws a low kick but Nascimento moves out of range easily.
Nascimento takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nascimento throws a sloppy head kick
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hardy blocks a head kick by Nascimento.
Hardy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nascimento. Nascimento circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hardy fails to land the takedown.
Nascimento shoots in but no luck this time.
Hardy takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hardy works Nascimento's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardy 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Hardy!
An out of breath Andre Hardy thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.