PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Haley Herzog Hearn (ranked 2903 p4p, 326 weight class) and John Hardin (ranked 4000 p4p, 405 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Herzog Hearn
vs
Hardin

182 cm
24
199 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
189 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Urban Fighter

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Haley Herzog Hearn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Hardin!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herzog Hearn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hardin.
Hardin connects with a right hand. Herzog Hearn shakes it off.
A good leg kick by Hardin.
We've been informed that Hardin has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Hardin thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Herzog Hearn if he has to take too many more of those.

Herzog Hearn closes the distance and clinches.

Herzog Hearn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Herzog Hearn moves into the clinch.
Hardin wants to stall.
Herzog Hearn lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hardin avoids the elbow strike from Herzog Hearn, against the cage.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it misses.

Hardin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haley Herzog Hearn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Herzog Hearn drives through and clinches with Hardin against the cage.
Hardin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardin blocks the elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Herzog Hearn tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Herzog Hearn backwards.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Herzog Hearn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hardin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Hardin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Herzog Hearn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Herzog Hearn lands an elbow inside that Hardin shrugs off.
Herzog Hearn avoiding damage as Hardin throws knees to the body.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Hardin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hardin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Herzog Hearn has him pressed against the cage.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Herzog Hearn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardin's efforts to push away.
Hardin is trying to force a seperation but Herzog Hearn has the dominant position.
Hardin is looking to break free of the clinch but Herzog Hearn has double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
Herzog Hearn looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Herzog Hearn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardin blocks it with crossed arms.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Herzog Hearn prevents Hardin from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Herzog Hearn comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Herzog Hearn is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hardin takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Herzog Hearn tries to land a knee to the head but Hardin blocks with his arms.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Hardin takes an elbow to the temple.
Hardin tries to circle away but Herzog Hearn has him pinned against the cage.
Hardin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
A bit of stalling here from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Herzog Hearn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardin's efforts to push away.
Hardin working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Herzog Hearn lands a damaging elbow.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Herzog Hearn lands a shoulder strike.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Herzog Hearn is controlling him.
Hardin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Herzog Hearn backwards.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Herzog Hearn lands an elbow that stopped Hardin in his tracks for a moment.
Hardin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Herzog Hearn is defending well for now.
Herzog Hearn with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it misses.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hardin lands an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Herzog Hearn just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hardin's brow.
Herzog Hearn pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hardin trying to stall but Herzog Hearn improves his position.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Herzog Hearn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn keeps control of Hardin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardin is trying to maintain a safe position but Herzog Hearn gets an underhook and turns Hardin into the cage.
Hardin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Herzog Hearn gets through Hardin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A frustrated look appears on Hardin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Herzog Hearn keeps control of Hardin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardin looking to slow down the pace here.
A nice left hand lands by Hardin.
Hardin avoids a wild elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Hardin stalling in the clinch but Herzog Hearn improves position.
Herzog Hearn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
Hardin tries to circle away but Herzog Hearn has him pinned against the cage.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Herzog Hearn keeps control of Hardin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Herzog Hearn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow over the top.
Herzog Hearn leaning his opponent against the cage.
John Hardin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
Herzog Hearn blocks a body shot from Hardin.
Hardin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hardin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Herzog Hearn looking to throw knees to the head but Hardin is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Herzog Hearn lands a right hand.
Nice elbow from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardin tries to circle away but Herzog Hearn has him pinned against the cage.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin cracks a nice hook into Herzog Hearn's ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Hardin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Herzog Hearn has him pressed against the cage.
Herzog Hearn has Hardin pressed against the cage, preventing Hardin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardin avoids the elbow strike from Herzog Hearn, against the cage.
Hardin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hardin avoids a wild elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Haley Herzog Hearn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Herzog Hearn has him pressed against the cage.
Herzog Hearn pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hardin lands a nice uppercut.
Hardin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Hardin.
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
Hardin trying to land knees to the body.
Herzog Hearn misses with a knee strike.

Herzog Hearn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hardin lands with an uppercut that bounces Herzog Hearn off the cage and back into range.
Herzog Hearn looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Herzog Hearn has Hardin up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hardin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hardin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardin avoids the elbow strike from Herzog Hearn, against the cage.
Herzog Hearn lands a damaging elbow.
Herzog Hearn taking a breather.
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Hardin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Herzog Hearn is pushing Hardin up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Herzog Hearn slows down the pace here.
Herzog Hearn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Herzog Hearn scores with a shoulder strike.
Hardin looking to stall.
Hardin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Herzog Hearn backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardin manages to break the clinch.

Herzog Hearn forces Hardin back against the cage and clinches.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardin lands a nice uppercut.
Herzog Hearn tries a knee to the head but Hardin blocks it.
Hardin is trying to break free.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow over the top.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
Herzog Hearn throws a knee to the head but misses.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Hardin is trying to break free.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Herzog Hearn looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Herzog Hearn looking to throw knees to the head but Hardin is blocking nicely.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardin lands with a short shot to the head.
Hardin lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Herzog Hearn has him pressed against the cage.
Hardin is trying to maintain a safe position but Herzog Hearn gets an underhook and turns Hardin into the cage.
Hardin misses with the head strike.
Hardin working aggressively here.
A nice left hand lands by Hardin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardin looking to stall.
Hardin is looking to control Herzog Hearn's arms but Herzog Hearn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardin has his back to the cage.
Hardin is trying to stall.
Hardin looking to slow down the pace here.
Hardin is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Herzog Hearn has denied him.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it misses.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Herzog Hearn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hardin can do to turn this around?
Hardin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardin's defenses.
Hardin takes an elbow to the forehead.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hardin trying to stall but Herzog Hearn improves his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haley Herzog Hearn dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Herzog Hearn cracks Hardin with an open hand slap.
Hardin lands with an overhand left.
Hardin with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Herzog Hearn tries to land a leg kick but Hardin saw it coming and moves away.

Herzog Hearn forces Hardin back against the cage and clinches.
Hardin misses with the head strike.
Hardin wants to break free but Herzog Hearn has control.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hardin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short right from Herzog Hearn on the inside.
Hardin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardin is looking to control Herzog Hearn's arms but Herzog Hearn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardin has his back to the cage.

Herzog Hearn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Herzog Hearn forces Hardin back against the cage and clinches.
Hardin wants to break free but Herzog Hearn has control.
Herzog Hearn holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Herzog Hearn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn blocks a body shot from Hardin.
Hardin taking a breather.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardin trying to land knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hardin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Herzog Hearn's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hardin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Herzog Hearn lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Herzog Hearn scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hardin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Herzog Hearn has him pressed against the cage.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Herzog Hearn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Herzog Hearn tries to land a knee to the head but Hardin blocks with his arms.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
Hardin tries to stall but Herzog Hearn uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Herzog Hearn just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hardin's brow.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin scores with a hook to the body.
Herzog Hearn is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
Hardin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Herzog Hearn blocks a body shot from Hardin.
Hardin misses with the head strike.
Hardin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Herzog Hearns head.
Herzog Hearn lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hardin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Hardin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Herzog Hearn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardin blocks it with crossed arms.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Herzog Hearn with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardin wants to break free but Herzog Hearn has control.
Hardin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Herzog Hearn lands with a right to the head.
Hardin wants to get back to striking at distance but Herzog Hearn won't allow it.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardin has had enough of the clinch but Herzog Hearn keeps him there for the moment.
Herzog Hearn throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
Herzog Hearn has Hardin pressed against the cage, preventing Hardin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Herzog Hearn avoiding damage as Hardin throws knees to the body.
Herzog Hearn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Herzog Hearn pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hardin wants to break free but Herzog Hearn has control.
Hardin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Herzog Hearn avoids it.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Hardin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Herzog Hearn with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn misses with an elbow strike.
Hardin avoids a wild elbow strike from Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardin working hard to break the clinch.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hardin tries to break the clinch but Herzog Hearn is controlling the position.
Hardin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hardin looking to slow down the pace here.
Herzog Hearn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hardins head.
Herzog Hearn on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
Herzog Hearn pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but misses.
Hardin tries to circle away but Herzog Hearn has him pinned against the cage.
Herzog Hearn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Herzog Hearn breaks from the clinch.
Hardin lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Haley Herzog Hearn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardin tries a head kick but it misses.
Herzog Hearn tries to counter with a takedown but Hardin is quick to defend against it.
Herzog Hearn takes a head kick and keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haley Herzog Hearn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Herzog Hearn, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haley Herzog Hearn!
A very excited looking Haley Herzog Hearn made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.