PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Hardy (ranked 7061 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Mutalimov (ranked 4288 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hardy
vs
Mutalimov

180 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jeff Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shamil Mutalimov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mutalimov moves into range and clinches up with Hardy.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mutalimov avoids the elbow strike from Hardy, against the cage.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Mutalimov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Mutalimov lands an elbow that stopped Hardy in his tracks for a moment.
Hardy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.
Mutalimov has Hardy pressed against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mutalimov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutalimov blocks an elbow strike.
Mutalimov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hardy goes for a takedown attempt but Mutalimov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mutalimov clinches.
Mutalimov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mutalimov blocks an elbow strike from Hardy.
Mutalimov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mutalimov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mutalimov.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Mutalimov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mutalimov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A frustrated look appears on Hardy's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow.
Hardy tries to break free but Mutalimov pushes him back against the cage.

Mutalimov breaks from the clinch.
Mutalimov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hardy. That did some damage!
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Mutalimov breaks from the clinch.
Mutalimov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Mutalimov gets a clinch.
Hardy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hardy tries to circle away but Mutalimov has him pinned against the cage.
Hardy is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutalimov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Mutalimov prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mutalimov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mutalimov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mutalimov.

Mutalimov breaks from the clinch.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Mutalimov clinches up against the cage.
Mutalimov stalling in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mutalimov blocks an elbow strike from Hardy.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mutalimov.
Hardy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mutalimov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mutalimov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mutalimov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mutalimov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Mutalimov avoids a wild elbow strike from Hardy.
Mutalimov stalls.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Mutalimov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hardy throws a head kick that misses.
Jeff Hardy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mutalimov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters circling a little - Mutalimov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hardy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mutalimov is fending him off so far but Hardy persists. Nope, Mutalimov circles away and we're back to standing.

Mutalimov drives through and clinches with Hardy against the cage.
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutalimov lands a damaging elbow.
Mutalimov lands an elbow that stopped Hardy in his tracks for a moment.

Mutalimov breaks from the clinch.

Mutalimov closes the distance and clinches.
Mutalimov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside.
Hardy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hardy misses with an elbow over the top.
Mutalimov stalls.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Hardy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mutalimov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Mutalimov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mutalimov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hardy, pushing him back against the cage.
Hardy pushes off an throws an elbow but Mutalimov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mutalimov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov dodges an elbow strike from Hardy.
Mutalimov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mutalimov lands a damaging elbow.
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!
Mutalimov effectively controlling the action here.
Hardy goes for a takedown attempt but Mutalimov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mutalimov moves into the clinch.
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.
Mutalimov has Hardy pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mutalimov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside.
Mutalimov leaning his opponent against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Mutalimov.
Hardy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mutalimov prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalling in the clinch from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shamil Mutalimov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mutalimov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutalimov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mutalimov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov tries a body shot but Hardy blocks it.
Hardy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov avoids a wild elbow strike from Hardy.
A body shot lands from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mutalimov is pushing Hardy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hardy goes for a takedown attempt but Mutalimov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Mutalimov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hardy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mutalimov moves into range and clinches up with Hardy.
Mutalimov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mutalimov lands a damaging elbow.

Hardy is rocked!
Hardy misses with an elbow over the top.
Oh Hardy is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mutalimov leaning against his opponent.
Hardy seems to have got his legs back now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mutalimov breaks the clinch.

Mutalimov has Hardy up against the cage in a clinch.
Hardy takes an elbow to the temple.
Mutalimov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside.
Mutalimov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow.
Mutalimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mutalimov lands an elbow just above Hardy 's eye.
Mutalimov blocks the elbow strike.

Mutalimov breaks from the clinch.
Hardy tries to bum rush Mutalimov with a series of wild strikes but Mutalimov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
As Hardy backs off Mutalimov throws a huge counter combo but Hardy manages to avoid it all.
Hardy throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mutalimov counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutalimov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Mutalimov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mutalimov lands a damaging elbow.
Mutalimov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Mutalimov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Mutalimov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hardy can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mutalimov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Hardy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mutalimov controlling the action here for a moment.
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Hardy letting Mutalimov take a breather here.
Hardy takes an elbow to the temple.
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Mutalimov keeps him there for the moment.
Mutalimov misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Mutalimov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice elbow from Mutalimov.
A bit of stalling here from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov keeps control of Hardy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mutalimov presses Hardy against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Mutalimov.
Mutalimov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shamil Mutalimov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hardy tries to break free but Mutalimov pushes him back against the cage.
Mutalimov stalling the fight.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Shamil Mutalimov.
Hardy avoids the head kick by Mutalimov.
Jeff Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mutalimov moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shamil Mutalimov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mutalimov 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Shamil Mutalimov!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Shamil Mutalimov!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Shamil Mutalimov!

Shamil Mutalimov wins by unanimous decision!