PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chavo Del Ocho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Del Ocho
vs
Hardy

200 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

KAISER
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chavo Del Ocho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Ocho shoots in for a takedown but Hardy shows good takedown defense.

Hardy darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hardy stalling.
Hardy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Del Ocho's head.
Hardy scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hardy trying to control from half guard but Del Ocho is working away.
Hardy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Del Ocho is trying to stand up here but Hardy is controlling him well.
Del Ocho is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy stalling.

Hardy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hardy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Del Ocho. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hardy is controlling the pace.
Del Ocho is not content to let Hardy control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matt Hardy has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Del Ocho misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Hardy instigates a clinch.
Hardy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Hardy has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Del Ocho is trying to keep an underhook but Hardy manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Hardy wants to stand up but Del Ocho is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hardy decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Del Ocho is trying to defend but Hardy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hardy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Let's hope that Hardy has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hardy wants to free his trapped foot but Del Ocho is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Hardy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hardy trying to control from Del Ocho's half guard. Del Ocho has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hardy trying to control the position from guard on top but Del Ocho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hardy dominated that 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.

Del Ocho closes the distance but Hardy moves to the side

and Hardy counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Del Ocho is trying to maintain a safe position but Hardy gets an underhook and turns Del Ocho into the cage.
Hardy landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Hardy has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Del Ocho uses from the top position.
Matt Hardy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hardy wants to stand up but Del Ocho is controlling him.
Hardy wants to sweep here but Del Ocho controlling him for the moment.
Hardy trying to control the position.
Del Ocho is looking to work some ground and pound but Hardy has wrist control.
Hardy wants to stand and escape but Del Ocho is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardy is controlling Del Ocho's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Matt Hardy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Del Ocho fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardy throws a combination. Del Ocho tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

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

Hardy ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hardy no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Hardy throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Hardy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hardy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy trying to strike off his back.
Hardy looking for a sweep. Not yet Hardy, not yet.
Hardy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Del Ocho in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Del Ocho throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Hardy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Del Ocho with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hardy controlling the position.
Hardy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Hardy was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hardy throws out a powerful jab.
A head kick misses from Del Ocho.
Chavo Del Ocho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hardy gets a clinch.

Hardy turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Hardy manages to end up in side control.
Hardy is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Del Ocho's shoulder. That is not cool.

Hardy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Del Ocho, who protects the arm well.
Hardy controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Ocho manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Del Ocho prevents Hardy from standing back up.

Del Ocho looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hardy tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Del Ocho throws a strike but Hardy avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Hardy trying to keep a closed guard but Del Ocho is proving a slippery customer.
Del Ocho with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hardy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Del Ocho tries to clinch there but Hardy circles away.

Hardy gets a takedown into half guard.
Hardy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Del Ocho keeps working.
Hardy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hardy wants to take a breather but Del Ocho is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Matt Hardy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hardy leaves Del Ocho with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Hardy rushes Del Ocho and presses him up against the cage.
Del Ocho letting Hardy take a breather here.

Hardy breaks the clinch.
Del Ocho doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hardy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Del Ocho thinking.

Hardy drives through with a takedown into Del Ocho's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Del Ocho tries to keep at a distance but Hardy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Del Ocho stalling in the clinch but Hardy improves position.
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!
Del Ocho tries to circle away but Hardy has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy stalling the fight.

Hardy jumps guard.
Del Ocho will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Del Ocho trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hardy's guard.

Del Ocho avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hardy is trying to control the position but Del Ocho postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Del Ocho gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hardy wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Del Ocho is now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Del Ocho is looking to take a break and control but Hardy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Del Ocho throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hardy to regain full guard.
Del Ocho wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Hardy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardy tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hardy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Del Ocho stopping the sweep attempt from Hardy.
Hardy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Del Ocho misses with a straight right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Danga de danga de dang - Hardy scores with a four punch combination!
Chavo Del Ocho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matt Hardy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Del Ocho throws out a loose jab but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hardy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Hardy!
Our winner, Matt Hardy, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.