PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Hardaway (ranked 945 p4p, 1383 weight class) and Bender Mein Armbach (ranked 129 p4p, 189 weight class). Hardaway comes into the arena with My My, Hey Hey - Neil Young blaring out of the sound system. Mein Armbach has chosen Enter Sandman, Metallica as his entrance music. Samuel Hardaway had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hardaway
vs
Mein Armbach

183 cm
36
170
16 - 8 - 0

181 cm
29
181
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Brooklyn Apothecary

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Samuel Hardaway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bender Mein Armbach!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardaway throws out a loose jab but Mein Armbach uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been informed that Mein Armbach has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nice takedown defense from Hardaway. No joy for Mein Armbach on that attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Hardaway on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hardaway throws a head kick that misses.
Mein Armbach throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Hardaway to counter with a crisp jab.
Hardaway has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Glory 4 Boxing in the buildup to the fight.
Mein Armbach throws a lazy uppercut
and Hardaway counters with a head kick. That will keep Mein Armbach thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A nice combination there by Mein Armbach.
Mein Armbach misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hardaway is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mein Armbach misses with a hook to the body
enabling Hardaway to counter with a crisp jab.
Mein Armbach with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hardaway makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Samuel Hardaway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bender Mein Armbach.
Hardaway walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardaway takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mein Armbach misses with a body shot
and Hardaway counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mein Armbach throws a looping overhand right but Hardaway ducks down to avoid it.
Mein Armbach stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hardaway.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mein Armbach. Hardaway does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Hardaway on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mein Armbach misses with a left hand
and Hardaway counters with a nice body shot.
Nice cross by Mein Armbach.

Mein Armbach shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hardaway manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mein Armbach trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hardaway manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Mein Armbach tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hardaway scoring with some ground and pound.
Hardaway is looking to work some ground and pound but Mein Armbach has wrist control.
Hardaway won't allow Mein Armbach to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardaway with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hardaway with a nice head shot there.
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!
Hardaway postures up in Mein Armbach's guard and throws a big left but Mein Armbach blocks it.
Hardaway is working Mein Armbach over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mein Armbach tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hardaway scoring with some ground and pound.
Hardaway working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hardaway trying to control the position from guard on top but Mein Armbach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardaway connects with a couple of short punches.
Hardaway with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mein Armbach is trying to control the position but Hardaway postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mein Armbach is on top in guard.

Hardaway utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hardaway wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardaway keeping moving, preventing Mein Armbach from controlling successfully.
Mein Armbach looking to pass the guard.
Hardaway tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mein Armbach pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hardaway is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mein Armbach throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hardaway preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mein Armbach postures up in Hardaway's guard and throws a big left but Hardaway blocks it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hardaway 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.
Mein Armbach tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardaway is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Mein Armbach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hardaway.
Mein Armbach throws a big shot that misses.
Bender Mein Armbach seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mein Armbach misses with an uppercut
and Hardaway counters with a straight right hand.
Mein Armbach misses with a body punch
letting Hardaway counter with a right hand.
Hardaway misses with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Hardaway dominated that round.
That's time! Hardaway's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mein Armbach punishes Hardaway's body with a nice straight punch.
Hardaway uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mein Armbach.
Samuel Hardaway is winning the standup battle so far.
Mein Armbach misses the shot to the body.
Hardaway swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hardaway displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mein Armbach throws out the jab.
Mein Armbach throws a nice looking combination but Hardaway bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mein Armbach misses with a hook
and Hardaway cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mein Armbach throws a series of punches but Hardaway avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Hardaway wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mein Armbach misses with a jab to the body
and Hardaway counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Hardaway. No joy for Mein Armbach on that attempt.
Mein Armbach throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardaway throws a jab when Mein Armbach was well out of range.
Mein Armbach is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hardaway rather than just go for the knockout.
Hardaway throws a hook but Mein Armbach blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mein Armbach rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mein Armbach takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hardaway throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hardaway on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hardaway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mein Armbach.
Hardaway misses with an uppercut. Mein Armbach saw that one coming.
A big right from Mein Armbach misses.
A little feinted left hand from Hardaway on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hardaway takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mein Armbach throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And Hardaway counters with a quick kick to the body but Mein Armbach blocks it.
Mein Armbach misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hardaway counters with a straight right hand.
Mein Armbach misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hardaway counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mein Armbach throws a poor cross that misses
and Hardaway counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mein Armbach thinking.
Hardaway keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hardaway is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardaway ducks under a wild hook from Mein Armbach.
Mein Armbach connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mein Armbach misses with a hook.
Mein Armbach throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardaway blocks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardaway misses the target.
Mein Armbach misses with a hook.
Hardaway slaps away a takedown attempt from Mein Armbach, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hardaway is looking to counter punch.
Mein Armbach tries to score with a low kick but Hardaway moves his leg out of the way.
Hardaway swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mein Armbach throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mein Armbach throws a shot from downtown. Hardaway moves away and avoids it.
Mein Armbach misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mein Armbach connects with a crisp jab.
Samuel Hardaway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mein Armbach comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mein Armbach lands a nice shot to the body.
A shot to the body from Mein Armbach misses
and Hardaway counters with a nice uppercut.
Hardaway lands with a cross.
Mein Armbach lands with a straight right. Hardaway didn't see that one coming.
Mein Armbach waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hardaway.
A little feinted left hand from Hardaway on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mein Armbach throws a right hand that misses
and Hardaway counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mein Armbach misses with a lunging right hand
and Hardaway connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mein Armbach thows a leg kick but Hardaway checks it
and Hardaway counters with a three punch combo that has Mein Armbach backing up. Mein Armbach nods at Hardaway to acknowledge the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mein Armbach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hardaway.
Mein Armbach shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hardaway but Hardaway pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Samuel Hardaway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bender Mein Armbach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mein Armbach shoots in for a double leg but Hardaway sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hardaway is looking to counter punch.
Hardaway keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hardaway swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mein Armbach scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hardaway doesn't seem bothered though.

Mein Armbach feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mein Armbach postures up.
Hardaway avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hardaway is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mein Armbach is fighting to break Hardaway's control of his arms but Hardaway is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mein Armbach stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hardaway swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bender Mein Armbach will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hardaway connects with a jab.
A shot to the liver by Mein Armbach. Beautiful body shot.
Mein Armbach chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hardaway can pounce on him.
Mein Armbach throws an overhand right that lands on Hardaway's shoulder, as Hardaway tries to avoid the shot.
Mein Armbach shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardaway tries to sprawl out of it but Mein Armbach keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardaway manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mein Armbach misses with a takedown
enabling Hardaway to counter with a crisp jab.

Mein Armbach is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hardaway's half guard.
Mein Armbach thows a huge punch but Hardaway dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mein Armbach not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mein Armbach trying to control from half guard but Hardaway is working away.
Hardaway trying to control from the bottom.
Hardaway keeping hold of Mein Armbach's head, controlling as best he can.
Hardaway is looking for a sweep. Mein Armbach is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mein Armbach thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hardaway's head.
Bender Mein Armbach has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hardaway has his hands clasped together around Mein Armbach's back. He's all about the action.
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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mein Armbach missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hardaway tries to get to full guard but Mein Armbach has control of the leg.
Hardaway gets full guard.
Hardaway utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mein Armbach trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardaway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mein Armbach postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mein Armbach misses with a lunging right hand
and Hardaway makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mein Armbach really felt that one!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mein Armbach misses with a shot to the body
and Hardaway counters with a nice uppercut.
Mein Armbach misses with a right hand
and Hardaway counters with a stiff right hand.
Hardaway pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hardaway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mein Armbach misses with a hook. Hardaway ducked under it nicely.

Hardaway gets caught napping as Mein Armbach dives in and scores a takedown. Hardaway manages to retain guard.
Hardaway seems keen to control Mein Armbach's posture.
Mein Armbach wants to control from the top but Hardaway keeps moving.
Hardaway is trying to keep Mein Armbach in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardaway manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mein Armbach manages to get himself to full guard.

Mein Armbach wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardaway scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mein Armbach utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mein Armbach preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hardaway throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mein Armbach wants to sweep but no luck.
Hardaway throws a big elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardaway throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Hardaway showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hardaway has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Hardaway!
Our winner, Samuel Hardaway, 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.