PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lincoln Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayes comes into the arena with The Black Wings of Apocalypse blaring out of the sound system. Cardinal has chosen In Mourning - In The Failing Hour as his entrance music. The key to victory for Lincoln Hayes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hayes
vs
Cardinal

175 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
155 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lincoln Hayes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joey Cardinal!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayes shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cardinal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hayes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cardinal somewhat.

Hayes instigates a clinch.
Hayes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right handed body shot lands from Hayes.
Hayes misses with a punch on the inside.
Cardinal goes for a takedown attempt but Hayes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hayes lands a jab to the nose.
Cardinal takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hayes throws a leg kick that misses.
Cardinal tries to clinch but Hayes moves away
and Cardinal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hayes slaps away a takedown attempt from Cardinal, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lincoln Hayes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes throws a hook to the side of Cardinal's head but Cardinal sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hayes fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cardinal checks it well.
Hayes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A big right from Hayes misses.
Hayes thumps Cardinal with a low kick.
Hayes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cardinal shoots for a takedown but Hayes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cardinal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cardinal looks gassed!
Hayes throws out a loose jab but Cardinal uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal throws out a leg kick but Hayes moves out of range and Cardinal only half commits.
Hayes throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hayes lands a nice shot to the body.
Hayes takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hayes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lincoln Hayes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hayes lands a front kick.

Hayes closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardinal has Hayes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hayes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hayes scores with a shoulder strike.
Cardinal tries for a takedown but Hayes manages to get underhooks.
A short uppercut from Hayes.
Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hayes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hayes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
A short uppercut from Hayes.
Hayes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Hayes lands a shoulder strike.
A nice left hand lands by Hayes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Hayes.
Hayes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardinal's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hayes.
Hayes lands a hook that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Hayes scores with a hook to the body.
Hayes works on Cardinal's body with a couple of short punches.
Hayes is leaning against Cardinal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short uppercut from Hayes.
Hayes lands a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hayes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hayes pushes Cardinal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Hayes.
Hayes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Cardinal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hayes lands a nice shot to the body.
Hayes scores with a shot to the side of Cardinal's head.
Hayes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hayes pushes Cardinal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hayes digs a right hand into Cardinal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardinal's gas tank.
Cardinal is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hayes is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cardinal.
Hayes pushes Cardinal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Hayes.
A right handed body shot lands from Hayes.
Hayes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cardinal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hayes lands a right hand.
Hayes presses Cardinal against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hayes lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hayes.
A short body shot lands from Hayes as the two fighters clinch.
Good body shot from Hayes.
Hayes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hayes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hayes scores with a shoulder strike.
Hayes lands an uppercut.

Hayes has hold of one of Cardinal's legs. Cardinal is fighting the takedown attempt but Hayes gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Cardinal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hayes sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hayes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cardinal wants to hit a switch here but Hayes passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Cardinal there!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cardinal is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hayes lunges at Cardinal with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cardinal's hand.
Hayes lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardinal at a distance.
Hayes misses the jab.
Cardinal misses with a double jab
and Hayes counters with an inside leg kick.
Cardinal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cardinal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cardinal is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cardinal takes one to the chin there.

Hayes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hayes.
Hayes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hayes lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cardinal or not.
Hayes lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hayes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hayes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Hayes cracks Cardinal with a nice body shot.
Hayes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short body shot lands from Hayes as the two fighters clinch.
Hayes lands with a right to the head.
A body shot lands from Hayes.
Hayes digs a right hand into Cardinal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardinal's gas tank.
Hayes lands a shot to the body.
Hayes scores with a shoulder strike.
Hayes scores with a shot to the side of Cardinal's head.
Lincoln Hayes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hayes.
Hayes lands a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cardinal's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hayes scores with a shoulder strike.
Cardinal tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hayes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hayes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardinal can do to turn this around?
Still in the clinch, Hayes scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hayes works on Cardinal's body with a couple of short punches.
Hayes lands a hook that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Hayes pushes Cardinal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Hayes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes lands a body punch.
Cardinal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hayes.
Cardinal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hayes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lincoln Hayes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Hayes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Hayes.
Hayes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hayes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cardinal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hayes gets underhooks to prevent Cardinal's takedown attempt.
Hayes gets underhooks to prevent Cardinal's takedown attempt.
Hayes is working Cardinal over against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hayes.
Hayes lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cardinal or not.
Hayes gets underhooks to prevent Cardinal's takedown attempt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hayes.
Hayes works on Cardinal's body with a couple of short punches.
Hayes lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Hayes fails to land.
Cardinal wants to get back to striking at distance but Hayes won't allow it.
Hayes pushes Cardinal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Cardinal lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes is pressing down on Cardinal's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cardinal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cardinal passes Hayes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Cardinal is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Cardinal is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hayes has managed to free his arm - good work.

Cardinal is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hayes sees it coming and defends easily.
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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Cardinal is looking for a kimura but Hayes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cardinal to get the leverage.
Cardinal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hayes tries to get to full guard but Cardinal has control of the leg.

Cardinal is looking for a kimura but Hayes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cardinal to get the leverage.
Hayes wants to control but Cardinal is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hayes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hayes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cardinal. Cardinal circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lincoln Hayes dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hayes throws out a loose jab but Cardinal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hayes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hayes throws the left hand but Cardinal avoids the punch easily.
Hayes throws a leg kick which misses Cardinal's front leg but catches the back leg as Cardinal tries to avoid it.
Cardinal with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hayes counters with a body kick that stops Cardinal in his tracks momentarily.
Hayes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cardinal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hayes lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hayes stuffs the takedown attempt from Cardinal. Cardinal gets slowly back to his feet.
Cardinal ducks right into an uppercut from Hayes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Hayes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hayes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hayes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cardinal fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cardinal fails to land the takedown.
Lincoln Hayes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hayes!
Hayes misses with a kick to the body.
Cardinal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes lands with an overhand left.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hayes.
Cardinal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hayes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hayes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lincoln Hayes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hayes lands a jab to Cardinal's midsection.
Hayes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hayes keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hayes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes throws a shot to the body.
Cardinal on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cardinal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hayes is fending him off so far but Cardinal persists. Nope, Hayes circles away and we're back to standing.
Hayes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cardinal.
Cardinal fails with the takedown
and Hayes counters with an inside leg kick.
Cardinal looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cardinal stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hayes.
Cardinal misses with a takedown attempt
and Hayes counters with a nice body shot.
Cardinal takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayes connects with a solid leg kick.

Hayes gets a clinch.
Hayes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cardinal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hayes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hayes scores with a shot to the side of Cardinal's head.
Hayes lands a body punch.
A short left from Hayes.
Cardinal wants a takedown but no success here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hayes.
Cardinal has Hayes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hayes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Joey Cardinal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good body shot from Hayes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lincoln Hayes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hayes 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:26
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:26
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lincoln Hayes!