PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Hardcastle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wondoni Kiongo (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.

Hardcastle
vs
Kiongo

191 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
21
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Scott Hardcastle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wondoni Kiongo!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kiongo tries to clinch there but Hardcastle circles away.
Hardcastle is looking to clinch.
Hardcastle misses with a looping right.
Kiongo fails to land with a series of punches.

Hardcastle scores with a takedown into Kiongo's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hardcastle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kiongo wants to get back to his feet but Hardcastle is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hardcastle decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Wondoni Kiongo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardcastle misses with a hook.
Kiongo wants to clinch but Hardcastle slips to the side

and Hardcastle holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kiongo misses with an elbow strike.
Kiongo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kiongo manages to break the clinch.
Hardcastle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kiongo tries to clinch but Hardcastle moves away

and Hardcastle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kiongo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch.

Hardcastle has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kiongo has had enough of the clinch but Hardcastle keeps him there for the moment.
Hardcastle lands a body punch.
Hardcastle lands with a left to the head.
Kiongo tries to stall but Hardcastle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hardcastle lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcastle tries for a takedown but Kiongo manages to get underhooks.
Hardcastle fails to pull guard.
Kiongo has had enough of the clinch but Hardcastle keeps him there for the moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kiongo.
A head punch on the inside from Hardcastle fails to land.
Hardcastle works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hardcastle lands a body shot.
Hardcastle has had enough of the clinch but Kiongo keeps him there for the moment.
Kiongo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiongo has a couple of punches blocked by Hardcastle.

Kiongo is fighting off a takedown attempt but Hardcastle is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kiongo to the mat. Kiongo regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Hardcastle landing some decent shots from guard.
Kiongo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hardcastle is controlling him.
Kiongo looks gassed!
Hardcastle landing with the ground and pound.
Hardcastle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kiongo's head.
Hardcastle trying to control the position from guard on top but Kiongo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kiongo can't keep his opponent in guard - Hardcastle advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hardcastle is tying to control. Kiongo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiongo wants to get back to his feet.
Kiongo has hold of Hardcastle's hands but Hardcastle slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kiongo wants to get back to his feet.

Hardcastle decides to return to a standing position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hardcastle rushes Kiongo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardcastle working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kiongo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardcastle blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Hardcastle manages to break the clinch.

Hardcastle has Kiongo up against the cage in a clinch.
Kiongo is leaning against Hardcastle and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hand to the body from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardcastle wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short left from Kiongo.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardcastle is keeping busy.
Kiongo is trying to break free.
Hardcastle throws a punch but it's blocked by Kiongo.
Kiongo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hardcastle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hardcastle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Kiongo to work.
Hardcastle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kiongo gets underhooks to prevent Hardcastle's takedown attempt.
Kiongo is pressed up against the cage. Hardcastle has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kiongo down to the mat. Kiongo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Hardcastle darts in and clinches Kiongo up against the cage.
Hardcastle lands a right hand.
Kiongo letting Hardcastle take a breather here.
Hardcastle scores with a hook to the body.
Hardcastle is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kiongo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good body shot from Hardcastle.
Kiongo letting Hardcastle take a breather here.
Kiongo tries to stall but Hardcastle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch.

Hardcastle takes the fight into the clinch.

Hardcastle jumps into guard, dragging Kiongo to the mat.
Hardcastle on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hardcastle tries to get out of the position.
Hardcastle trying to keep a closed guard but Kiongo is proving a slippery customer.

Hardcastle has his feet on Kiongo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches up with Kiongo, looking for a takedown. Hardcastle pushes Kiongo against the cage but Kiongo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle tries for a takedown but Kiongo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hardcastle circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hardcastle counters by clinching up.
Hardcastle blocks an elbow strike from Kiongo.
Kiongo looking to slow down the pace here.
Kiongo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kiongo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Kiongo manages to break the clinch.
A left and a right from Kiongo both land. Nice combination.
Hardcastle wants to clinch.
Hardcastle lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hardcastle.
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!
Kiongo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hardcastle backs up against the cage.
Hardcastle throws a right hand that Kiongo ducks under and follows up with a left that Kiongo also avoids with ease.
Kiongo tries to clinch
and Hardcastle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Hardcastle scores with a nice short uppercut.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch.

Hardcastle has closed the distance and engaged Kiongo in a clinch.
Hardcastle slows down the pace here.
Hardcastle lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hardcastle dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hardcastle misses with a takedown attempt - Kiongo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kiongo swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardcastle.
Hardcastle tries to clinch but Kiongo is having none of it.
Hardcastle moves in looking to clinch but Kiongo pushes him off.
Kiongo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardcastle circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hardcastle holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hardcastle is leaning against Kiongo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kiongo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Scott Hardcastle has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Donk. Hardcastle catches Kiongo right on the button with a cross.

Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches.
Hardcastle is working for takedown but Kiongo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hardcastle lands an uppercut.

Hardcastle pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kiongo is looking to stand up but Hardcastle won't let him.
Hardcastle punching from the bottom - just letting Kiongo know he's still in a fight.
Kiongo is breathing heavily.

Hardcastle has his feet on Kiongo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hardcastle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wondoni Kiongo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiongo darts in trying to clinch

and Hardcastle moves into the clinch.
Hardcastle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kiongo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hardcastle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardcastle tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kiongo just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kiongo misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardcastle lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hardcastle wants a takedown.
Hardcastle working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kiongo prevents a body shot from Hardcastle.
Kiongo has had enough of the clinch but Hardcastle keeps him there for the moment.
Hardcastle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardcastle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hardcastle misses with an elbow over the top.
Hardcastle looking for a takedown.
Kiongo lands a nice uppercut.
Hardcastle managing to block the knees to the body from Kiongo.
Kiongo tries to stall but Hardcastle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kiongo.
Kiongo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiongo lands with a light punch inside.
Hardcastle tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hardcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardcastle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kiongo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hardcastle lands a body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Kiongo fails to land.

Hardcastle pulls guard.

Hardcastle pushes Kiongo off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiongo misses with a double jab
and Hardcastle counters with a straight right hand.
Hardcastle misses with the combination.

Hardcastle moves into the clinch.

Hardcastle successfully pulls guard.
Kiongo wants to stand but Hardcastle is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hardcastle bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kiongo's guard.
Hardcastle scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hardcastle cracks Kiongo with a solid left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiongo wants to stand but Hardcastle is controlling the position.
Kiongo is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kiongo tries to clinch

and Hardcastle counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hardcastle with a nice head shot there.
Hardcastle won't allow Kiongo to get back to his feet.
Hardcastle trying to control the position from guard on top but Kiongo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardcastle pushing down on Kiongo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hardcastle lands strikes from half guard.
Kiongo has hold of Hardcastle's hands but Hardcastle slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hardcastle not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kiongo wants to get back to his feet.
Hardcastle lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kiongo taking some punishment here, with Hardcastle in his half guard.
Hardcastle trying to control the action but Kiongo is working from the bottom.
Hardcastle looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hardcastle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kiongo can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kiongo is looking to get back to is feet but Hardcastle passes into side control.
Kiongo tries to escape but Hardcastle is in control.
Kiongo taking a bit of punishment here - Hardcastle scoring with strikes.
Kiongo is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hardcastle is controlling him well.

Hardcastle stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kiongo tries to clinch up

and Hardcastle moves into the clinch.
Kiongo tries a body shot but Hardcastle blocks it.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch.
Kiongo clinches but Hardcastle breaks the clinch

and Hardcastle counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hardcastle.
Hardcastle lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kiongo is trying to break free.
Kiongo working aggressively here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardcastle is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hardcastle.
A right hand to the body from Hardcastle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hardcastle dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kiongo circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kiongo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Hardcastle takes the fight into the clinch.
Kiongo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardcastle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kiongos head.
Kiongo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hardcastle lands a body punch.
Hardcastle avoids the elbow strike from Kiongo, against the cage.
Hardcastle tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kiongo just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kiongo has a couple of punches blocked by Hardcastle.
Hardcastle tries to land knees in the clinch but Kiongo avoids the damage to the body.
Kiongo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kiongo has a couple of punches blocked by Hardcastle.
Kiongo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hardcastle is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hardcastle lands with a left to the head.
Kiongo wants to get back to striking at distance but Hardcastle won't allow it.
Hardcastle taking a breather.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kiongo misses with a body punch.
Kiongo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kiongo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kiongo misses with an elbow strike.
Hardcastle holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hardcastle gets through Kiongo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiongo lands a nice shot to the body.
Hardcastle lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle working aggressively here.
Kiongo can't find room to land a body shot as Hardcastle controls the action.
Kiongo prevents the takedown attempt.
Hardcastle misses with a punch on the inside.
Hardcastle blocks an uppercut.
Hardcastle scores with a shoulder strike.
Hardcastle can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hardcastle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hardcastle lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kiongo backwards.
Hardcastle lands a nice uppercut.
Hardcastle looking for a takedown.
Hardcastle tries for a takedown but Kiongo manages to get underhooks.

Kiongo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hardcastle moves into range and clinches up with Kiongo.
Hardcastle holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kiongo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kiongo lands a shot to the body.
Hardcastle lands with a light punch inside.
Kiongo just leaning against Hardcastle, taking a breather.
Kiongo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hardcastle lands a nice shot to the body.
Hardcastle lands a left hand.
Hardcastle working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle lands with a left to the head.
Kiongo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hardcastle misses with some punches.

Kiongo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kiongo wants to clinch

and Hardcastle moves into the clinch.

Kiongo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kiongo is looking to clinch but Hardcastle is avoiding it.

Kiongo clinches with his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kiongo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hardcastle avoids the elbow strike from Kiongo, against the cage.
Kiongo misses with some punches.
Hardcastle blocking some punches.
Kiongo wants to break free but Hardcastle has control.
Kiongo misses with an elbow strike.
Kiongo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hardcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Kiongo.
Kiongo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hardcastle is keeping busy.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kiongo tries to clinch but Hardcastle moves away
and Hardcastle counters with a two punch combo.

Kiongo clinches with his opponent.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hardcastle is looking to clinch.

Hardcastle closes the distance and clinches.
Hardcastle lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiongo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kiongo trying to land knees to the body.
Hardcastle blocks an uppercut.
Hardcastle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kiongo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch.
Hardcastle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kiongo tries to keep at a distance but Hardcastle has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hardcastle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kiongo tries to clinch

and Hardcastle counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kiongo!
Kiongo wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Hardcastle working the ground and pound effectively.
Kiongo wants to get back to his feet.
Hardcastle fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hardcastle in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hardcastle working Kiongo over with strikes here.
Kiongo is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Hardcastle landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kiongo bucks up and throws Hardcastle to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Kiongo tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hardcastle counters by clinching up.
Kiongo lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Kiongo on the inside.
Hardcastle goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kiongo prevents it.

Kiongo manages to break the clinch.
Hardcastle cracks Kiongo with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Kiongo tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Hardcastle pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Kiongo is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Scott Hardcastle!