PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Bitencourt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Hard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bitencourt comes to the cage accompanied by Limp Bizkit - My Way. Rodrigo Bitencourt could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Dan Hard's chin.

Bitencourt
vs
Hard

190 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rodrigo Bitencourt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Hard!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A jab from Bitencourt finds it's way through Hard's defenses.
Bitencourt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hard throws a series of punches but Bitencourt moves out of range.
Bitencourt throws a body punch but Hard moves out of range.
Hard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bitencourt circles away quickly and effectively.
Bitencourt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hard misses with a series of wild punches.
Bitencourt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab from Bitencourt misses.
Bitencourt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Bitencourt moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bitencourt lands a hook that snaps the head of Hard backwards.
Hard wants a takedown but no success here.
Bitencourt misses with a hook from the clinch.

Bitencourt breaks from the clinch.
Hard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bitencourt misses the shot to the body.
Bitencourt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitencourt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hard moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dan Hard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hard darts in trying to clinch

and Bitencourt counters with a left and a right that hurts Hard! He wobbles and falls to the floor - he's in big trouble! Bitencourt jumps into full mount!

Hard is rocked!
You get the feeling that Hard really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hard is squirming around, avoiding Bitencourt's attempts to control the action.
Bitencourt won't let Hard get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Bitencourt tries to control but Hard wriggling away.

Hard somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Hard is looking to clinch.
Hard tries to clinch there but Bitencourt circles away.
Hard tries to clinch up
and Bitencourt counters with a two punch combo.
Hard looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hard misses with a few strikes there.
A lazy left from Bitencourt finds it's target.
Hard is still on wobbly legs! Can Bitencourt finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bitencourt attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hard seems to have recovered his senses.
Hard tries to clinch up
and Bitencourt counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hard ducks under a wild hook from Bitencourt.

Bitencourt moves into the clinch.

Bitencourt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hard blocks a jab.
Hard goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bitencourt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch lands to the side of Hard 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hard swats away the attempt to clinch by Bitencourt.
Hard darts in trying to clinch
and Hard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Bitencourt pushes Hard up against the cage in a clinch.
Bitencourt lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard can't get the takedown.
Bitencourt gets through Hard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hard is working for takedown but Bitencourt is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodrigo Bitencourt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hard.

Bitencourt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bitencourt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hard moves away.
Hard closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bitencourt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bitencourt fails to land with a series of punches.
Hard throws a series of punches but Bitencourt avoids them all with ease.
Bitencourt keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Bitencourt darts in and clinches Hard up against the cage.
Hard tries for a takedown. No joy.

Bitencourt breaks from the clinch.
Bitencourt takes a swing at Hard's ribcage but misses.
Hard tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bitencourt counters with a series of strikes. Hard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hard wants to clinch
and Bitencourt counters with a stiff right hand.
Bitencourt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hard tries to clinch
and Bitencourt counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hard wants to clinch up but Bitencourt keeps it at a distance.
Bitencourt misses with a series of wild punches.
Hard doesn't manage to clinch there - Bitencourt circles away.
Hard needs to keep his hands up - Bitencourt had a free shot at his head there.
Bitencourt looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hard tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Bitencourt moves into the clinch.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bitencourt looks to land a right hand but Hard moved out of range.
Hard throws a right hand that Bitencourt ducks under and follows up with a left that Bitencourt also avoids with ease.
Bitencourt is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hard throws a series of punches but Bitencourt avoids them all with ease.
Bitencourt throws a hook but Hard blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hard tries to clinch
and Bitencourt counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hard tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bitencourt counters with a nice uppercut.
Hard wants to clinch
and Bitencourt counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Bitencourt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hard doesn't manage to clinch there - Bitencourt circles away.
Hard misses with a series of wild punches.
Hard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bitencourt lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Bitencourt instigates a clinch.

Bitencourt breaks from the clinch.

Hard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bitencourt, pushing him back against the cage.

Bitencourt manages to break the clinch.
Hard tries to close the distance and clinch but Bitencourt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bitencourt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hard tries to clinch
and Bitencourt makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bitencourt scores with a nice right hand.
Hard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hard closes the distance but Bitencourt moves to the side
and Bitencourt counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hard throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bitencourt just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitencourt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hard manages to avoid it.
Hard closes the distance but Bitencourt moves to the side
letting Bitencourt counter with a right hand.
A cross from Bitencourt lands.
Hard is looking to clinch but Bitencourt is avoiding it.
Hard ducks right into an uppercut from Bitencourt.
Bitencourt throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bitencourt dodges the punch combination from Hard.
Bitencourt keeps the fight on the outside.
Bitencourt misses the jab.
Hard tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Bitencourt counter with a right hand.
Hard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hard tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bitencourt counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bitencourt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bitencourt.
Hard wants to clinch.
Rodrigo Bitencourt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitencourt throws an overhand right that lands on Hard's shoulder, as Hard tries to avoid the shot.
Hard tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bitencourt counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bitencourt.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bitencourt misses with a wild body shot.
Hard displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bitencourt fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hard on the side of the head.
Hard wants to clinch up but Bitencourt keeps it at a distance.
Hard wants to clinch up but Bitencourt keeps it at a distance.
Hard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bitencourt.
Hard tries to clinch but Bitencourt moves away
and Bitencourt counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hard thinking.
Hard tries to clinch but Bitencourt moves away
and Bitencourt makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hard really felt that one!
Bitencourt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodrigo Bitencourt is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Bitencourt.
Hard throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hard slips a jab from Bitencourt.
Hard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bitencourt throws a good cross that connects.
Bitencourt scores with a sloppy right hand. Hard should have avoided that one.
Hard misses with a double jab.
Hard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bitencourt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bitencourt is looking to land body kicks.

Hard clinches.
Hard can't get the takedown.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch.
Bitencourt misses with a looping left.
Hard tries to close the distance and clinch but Bitencourt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Bitencourt moves into the clinch.
Hard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bitencourt breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bitencourt misses with a two punch combination.
Bitencourt throws a nice looking combination but Hard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bitencourt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bitencourt sizes up Hard with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hard closes the distance but Bitencourt moves to the side

and Bitencourt moves into the clinch.
Bitencourt stops a takedown attempt from Hard.
Rodrigo Bitencourt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hard.

Bitencourt gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Bitencourt postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Hard to stand up.
A slow jab from Bitencourt misses its intended target.
Hard tries to clinch but Bitencourt moves away

and Bitencourt counters by moving into the clinch.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bitencourt circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hard slips under a jab.
Bitencourt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bitencourt swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch combination from Hard misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Bitencourt dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Bitencourt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bitencourt works over Hard's head and body with a nice combination.
A big left from Bitencourt misses.

Bitencourt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hard, pushing him back against the cage.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bitencourt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hard throws a series of strikes that have Bitencourt backpedaling.
Bitencourt swats away the attempt to clinch by Hard.
Hard looks to clinch

and Bitencourt counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bitencourt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hard.
Hard wants a takedown.

Bitencourt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No joy there for Bitencourt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hard misses with the combination.
Bitencourt dodges the punch combination from Hard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard throws a series of punches but Bitencourt avoids them all with ease.
Hard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bitencourt.
Hard misses with a few strikes there.
Hard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitencourt.
Hard takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bitencourt misses with a head kick.
Bitencourt misses with a wild body shot.
Hard throws a one two combo.
Nice defenses there by Hard.

Hard closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bitencourt.

Bitencourt manages to break the clinch.
Hard has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitencourt.
Bitencourt dodges the punch combination from Hard.
Bitencourt slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hard ducks under a wild hook from Bitencourt.
Hard wants to clinch up but Bitencourt keeps it at a distance.

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.
Hard tries to clinch there but Bitencourt circles away.
Bitencourt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hard swinging wilding here.
Danga de danga de dang - Hard scores with a four punch combination!
Bitencourt misses with a series of wild punches.
Hard wants to clinch but Bitencourt slips to the side
enabling Bitencourt to counter with a crisp jab.
Hard tries to clinch up but Bitencourt circles away and keeps his distance.

Bitencourt closes the distance and clinches.
Bitencourt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bitencourt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hard.
Rodrigo Bitencourt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Hard.
Bitencourt unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hard lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bitencourt stops a takedown attempt from Hard.
A bit of stalling here from Bitencourt.
Hard tries to score a body lock takedown but Bitencourt shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bitencourt is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Bitencourt jumps guard and drags Hard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bitencourt wants to get back to his feet but Hard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bitencourt working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard wanted to stand there but Bitencourt had control of the position.
Bitencourt on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bitencourt tries to get out of the position.
Bitencourt is trying to control the position but Hard postures up.
Bitencourt wants to stand and escape but Hard is having none of it.
Bitencourt is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hard!
Bitencourt plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bitencourt misses with a straight right.
Hard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bitencourt circles away quickly and effectively.
Bitencourt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hard checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hard lands with a nice combination. Bitencourt backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hard tries to clinch up
and Bitencourt counters with a stiff right hand.
Hard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bitencourt throws a right hand that Hard ducks under and follows up with a left that Hard also avoids with ease.
Hard dodges the punch combination from Bitencourt.
Bitencourt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hard!
Hard clinches but Bitencourt breaks the clinch
and Bitencourt counters with a left to the body.
Hard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitencourt.
Hard tries to clinch up
and Bitencourt counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hard closes the distance but Bitencourt moves to the side
and Bitencourt cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dan Hard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodrigo Bitencourt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bitencourt swinging wilding here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodrigo Bitencourt.
Well Bitencourt has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Bitencourt!