PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bradley Rainey (ranked 829 p4p, 1015 weight class) and Nero Hardy (ranked 117 p4p, 139 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rainey
vs
Hardy

181 cm
27
170
7 - 0 - 0

180 cm
29
174
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

30th Century Beer Store

Voodoo Nutrition
NARCOS

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bradley Rainey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nero Hardy!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rainey looks to land a left hand but Hardy moved out of range nicely.
Hardy feints the counter takedown.
Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown but Rainey shows good takedown defense.
Rainey appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rainey.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hardy has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Rainey throws a leg kick
and Hardy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hardy dives in for a single leg takedown but Rainey sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hardy on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rainey throws a low kick but Hardy avoids it.
Nice shot by Hardy.
Hardy stuns Rainey with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hardy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rainey appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bradley Rainey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Hardy.
Rainey pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hardy is out of range and Rainey settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rainey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hardy or perhaps it was just good defense by Rainey, which made it look bad.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rainey. Hardy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardy throws out a loose jab but Rainey uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rainey throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rainey counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hardy.
Rainey slips a straight right by Hardy.
A lazy left from Hardy finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rainey.
Rainey bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rainey half committed to a counter leg kick.
Rainey defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hardy.
Hardy's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rainey connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hardy scrambles back to his feet.
Hardy cracks Rainey with an open hand slap.
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!

Hardy manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rainey on his heels. He'll look to pass Rainey's guard now, I'm sure.
Rainey is looking to stand up but Hardy isn't so interested in that idea.
Hardy trying to control the position from guard on top but Rainey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rainey being controlled here, momentarily.
Hardy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy advances to half guard.
Rainey is not content to let Hardy control the position.

Hardy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rainey blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hardy.

Hardy seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four 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.
Hardy is trying to control. Rainey wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rainey wants to get back to his feet.
Hardy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rainey keeps working.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Rainey connects with a crisp jab.
Nero Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rainey thuds his shin into the meat of Hardy's side.
Rainey misses with a hook.
Hardy feints the counter takedown.
Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rainey.
Hardy shoots in and drives through. Rainey sprawls well.
Rainey tries to counter with a takedown but Hardy is quick to defend against it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bradley Rainey will probably get the nod.
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.

Hardy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rainey.
Hardy with the counter takedown but Rainey avoids it easily.
Rainey walks into a stiff left hand from Hardy.
Hardy is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A low kick from Rainey is predictable there

and Hardy counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Hardy seems to be working for a kimura but Rainey defends the submission attempt.
Rainey is in trouble now - Hardy has advanced to mount!
Hardy punching from mount but Rainey doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Hardy is working for a guillotine from mount but Rainey frees his head quite easily.

Hardy is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rainey can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rainey is trying to stand.
Hardy throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Hardy swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rainey is now in Hardy's guard. A big mistake from Hardy there, giving up the dominant position!

Hardy working for a triangle but Rainey defends it easily.

Hardy working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rainey has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy tries to roll over but Rainey keeps him under control.
Rainey wants to stand but Hardy has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Hardy works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hardy is looking for a triangle but Rainey pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rainey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rainey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rainey gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hardy slips under a jab.
Bradley Rainey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rainey.
Rainey jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rainey throws an overhand right that lands on Hardy's shoulder, as Hardy tries to avoid the shot.
Hardy fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy fails with a takedown attempt.
Rainey drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hardy sprawls and moves away.
Rainey throws a leg kick but Hardy checks it.
Hardy misses with a takedown
and Rainey counters with a stiff right hand.
Bradley Rainey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Hardy.
Hardy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hardy or perhaps it was just good defense by Rainey, which made it look bad.
Rainey is looking to counter punch.
Hardy lands the left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bradley Rainey will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hardy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rainey sprawls well. Rainey wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hardy gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardy misses with a looping right.
Nice defenses there by Hardy.
Hardy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rainey counters with a good low kick that Hardy was not able to check.
Rainey tries to work over Hardy's front leg with a kick but Hardy checks it.
Rainey takes a swing at Hardy's ribcage but misses.
Hardy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rainey defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy stalks Rainey and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rainey's face. Rainey staggers backwards, shaken.
Hardy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Hardy dives in and scores a takedown into Rainey's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rainey being controlled here, momentarily.
Rainey is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rainey wants to stand up but Hardy is controlling him.
Nero Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Rainey is keeping the position.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Rainey keeps moving.

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.
Hardy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hardy passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Hardy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bradley Rainey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rainey is trying to buck Hardy off.
Hardy staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rainey bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Rainey takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rainey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Hardy lands a slapping body shot.
Rainey throws a head kick that half lands.
Rainey is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rainey.
Hardy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rainey tries to avoid it but Hardy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rainey to the ground. Rainey escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bradley Rainey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Hardy.
Hardy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rainey scores with a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Rainey.
Hardy walks into a jab.
Hardy takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rainey thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hardy if he has to take too many more of those.
Hardy scores with a nice strike.
Rainey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bradley Rainey.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rainey, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bradley Rainey!