PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Hardcore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray Maynard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hardcore
vs
Maynard

175 cm
21
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

178 cm
18
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricky Hardcore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gray Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hardcore.
Maynard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hardcore manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Hardcore does no damage.
Horrible takedown by Maynard or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardcore which made him look bad.
No luck for Maynard with that takedown attempt.
Maynard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hardcore.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hardcore throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hardcore paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardcore fails to land with a series of punches.
Ricky Hardcore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maynard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hardcore defends it nicely.
Ricky Hardcore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gray Maynard.
Maynard slips a jab and a cross from Hardcore.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hardcore as he avoids it easily.
Hardcore swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardcore misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hardcore throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardcore works the jab nicely.
Hardcore shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Maynard eats them both and turns towards Hardcore to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardcore sprawls well. Hardcore wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maynard gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcore misses with the combination.
Hardcore stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hardcore wants it to stay on the feet.
Maynard shoots for a double leg takedown but Hardcore sprawls well. He's pushed Maynard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Maynard looks gassed!
Maynard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hardcore.
Hardcore throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hardcore throws a combination that misses

and Maynard counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Maynard trying to control the action but Hardcore is working from the bottom.
Maynard trying to control from Hardcore's half guard. Hardcore has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maynard wants to stand but Hardcore is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardcore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hardcore pushes Maynard off and scrambles back to his feet.
Maynard has a takedown stuffed.
Hardcore will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hardcore looks to land a combination. Maynard sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hardcore tries to bum rush Maynard with a series of wild strikes but Maynard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardcore throws a series of punches but Maynard moves out of range.
Maynard looks for a takedown but Hardcore sprawls well.
Hardcore throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Maynard's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Hardcore dives in looking to finish as Maynard flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Hardcore's strikes! Hardcore is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Maynard's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Maynard was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ricky Hardcore!