The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Hardman gets tackled into the cage by Hughes . Hughes maintains the clinch. Both guys are working to get underhooks. Hardman is working for takedown but Hughes is calmly controlling the position for now. Hardman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hughes avoids it. Hughes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat. Hughes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Hardman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Hughes scores with a sloppy right hand. Hardman should have avoided that one. Hardman takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hardman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hughes as he jumps to the side. Hughes takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Hardman shoots and misses letting Hughes counter with a right hand. Andy Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Hardman. Hughes connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Hardman! He's out on his feet! Hughes rushes in and drops Hardman with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Andy Hughes !
