PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maurice Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hardy
vs
Matthews

184 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maurice Matthews!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews tries to clinch up but Hardy circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthews shoots for a double leg takedown but Hardy sprawls well. He's pushed Matthews's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hardy misses with a two punch combination.
Hardy looks for the body kick but Matthews saw that one coming.
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Matthews looks for a takedown but Hardy sprawls well.
Chris Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maurice Matthews.
Hardy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matthews throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hardy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Matthews is looking for a sweep.

Hardy decides to stand back up.
Nice combo by Hardy! Oh, that's hurt him - Matthews falls to the canvas and Hardy follows him into side control.

It looks like Maurice Matthews has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthews is looking for a sweep.
Matthews tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Hardy easily slips into full mount!
Hardy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Matthews looks gassed!
Hardy controlling from the full mount.
Matthews tries to lock up and control but Hardy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hardy content just to control the position here.
Matthews tries to hold on but Hardy postures up.
Hardy controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Matthews is trying desperately to improve position.
Matthews tries to hold on but Hardy postures up.
Hardy tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

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.
Hardy avoids the attempt from Matthews to control.
Matthews is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Matthews throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hardy. What's that going to do exactly?
Hardy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Matthews is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Hardy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maurice Matthews's cut.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matthews takes the fight into the clinch.
Matthews tries to score a body lock takedown but Hardy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Matthews pulls guard effortlessly.
Hardy won't allow Matthews to get back to his feet.
Matthews looking for a sweep. Not yet Matthews, not yet.

Hardy stands up from Matthews's guard - Hardy perhaps looking for a knockout.
Matthews swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardy swinging wilding here.
Matthews tries to clinch up.
A big right from Matthews misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matthews clinches up with Hardy and pushes him back against the cage.
Matthews wants to break the clinch but can't.

Hardy manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hardy keeping full guard, as Matthews tries to pass.
Matthews thows a big elbow that misses.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hardy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Hardy throws a one two combo.
Matthews looks for a takedown but Hardy sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matthews clinches up against the cage.
Matthews is struggling to control the position.
Matthews wants to get back to striking at distance but Hardy won't allow it.
Matthews wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hardy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knees in the clinch landing for Matthews.
Matthews holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Matthews is trying to break free.
Matthews wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hardy taking a breather.
Hardy wants a takedown but no success here.

Matthews ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Matthews no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Matthews is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews 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.

Matthews working for a triangle but Hardy defends it easily.
Matthews trying to keep a closed guard but Hardy is proving a slippery customer.
Hardy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardy preventing the sweep.
Hardy would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hardy tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.
Hardy trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Hardy is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Matthews is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurice Matthews showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Maurice Matthews's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matthews rushes Hardy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matthews backwards.
Hardy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hardy fails to pull guard.
Hardy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matthews prevents a body shot from Hardy.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Matthews keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Matthews just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy throws a head punch that misses.
Matthews wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardy prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hardy stalling in the clinch but Matthews improves position.
Matthews drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short left from Matthews.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matthews is working for takedown but Hardy is calmly controlling the position for now.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hardy keeps control of Matthews as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews wants to break the clinch but can't.

Matthews manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hardy is looking to stand up but Matthews won't let him.
Hardy preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matthews is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Matthews is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Hardy is defending against the submission attempts here by Matthews.
Hardy tries to roll over but Matthews keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Matthews drops an elbow to the side of Hardy's head.
Hardy trying to control here.

Matthews is working for a submission of some sort.
Matthews drops an elbow to the side of Hardy's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Matthews has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Hardy defend it? Matthews steps over the head and cranks it - Hardy is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Matthews!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Maurice Matthews!