PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brock Hardman (ranked 1636 p4p, 1697 weight class) and Zekariays Solomon (ranked 230 p4p, 241 weight class). Zekariays Solomon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hardman
vs
Solomon

191 cm
31
206
16 - 18 - 0

190 cm
28
220
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Fantasy Threads

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Brock Hardman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Zekariays Solomon!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardman tries to clinch there but Solomon circles away.
Solomon throws out a counter right but Hardman avoids it with no problem.
Solomon swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hardman.
We've been hearing reports that Hardman has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Solomon misses with the body kick
enabling Hardman to counter with a crisp jab.
Hardman lands the left hand.

Hardman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Hardman lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Solomon is defending against the submission attempts here by Hardman.
Hardman trying to control the action but Solomon is working from the bottom.
Hardman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Solomon is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman wants to free his trapped foot but Solomon is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Solomon is defending against the submission attempts here by Hardman.
Hardman prevents Solomon from improving his position.
Hardman trying to control the action but Solomon is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hardman is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Solomon!

Hardman jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Solomon is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Solomon and Hardman has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
A control attempt from Solomon but he's now mounted!
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Hardman has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Solomon is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Solomon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Hardman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Solomon has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hardman goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Solomon has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hardman but great work by Solomon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardman is not content to let Solomon control the position.

Solomon is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hardman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Solomon working the body and head with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardman sneaks back into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Hardman dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A decent looking cross lands there for Hardman.
Hardman scores with a nice strike.
Solomon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hardman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Solomon manages to avoid it.
Solomon feints the counter takedown.
Hardman lands a jab to the head.
Hardman lands with a cross.
Solomon moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice cross by Solomon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solomon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Solomon throws a poor cross that misses
and Hardman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hardman lands a nice looking body shot.
Solomon has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Solomon tests Hardman's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hardman.
Brock Hardman is winning the standup battle so far.
Hardman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hardman moves to clinch but Solomon breaks away

and Solomon counters with a big uppercut that knocks Hardman off his feet! Solomon dives into side control looking to finish!

Hardman is rocked!

It looks like Brock Hardman has been cut.
Hardman wants to control but Solomon postures up.
Oh Hardman is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Hardman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Solomon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hardman is trying to control Solomon's posture but Solomon avoids it.
Hardman tries to improve position but can't.

Solomon goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hardman has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Solomon but great work by Hardman.
Hardman seems to have got his legs back now.
Hardman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Solomon keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hardman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Solomon has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hardman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hardman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Hardman tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Solomon tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Solomon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Solomon being controlled for a moment.
Hardman trying to control the action but Solomon is working from the bottom.
Brock Hardman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Hardman passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Solomon!
Solomon is squirming around, avoiding Hardman's attempts to control the action.
Hardman controlling from the full mount.
Solomon tries to lock up and control but Hardman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Hardman with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
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 Brock Hardman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brock Hardman's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Solomon throws the left hand but Hardman avoids the punch easily.
Brock Hardman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Hardman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hardman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Solomon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hardman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hardman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hardman preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardman wants to control from the top but Solomon keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hardman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Solomon on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Solomon drops Hardman with a big left hand and mounts him. Hardman is in big trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardman tries to lock up and control but Solomon gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hardman slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hardman is trying to get back to full guard.
Hardman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Solomon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hardman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hardman pulls Solomon in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solomon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zekariays Solomon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Solomon throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Solomon scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Solomon tries to sprawl but Hardman drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hardman is keen to just control but Solomon is a slippery customer.
Solomon is looking to control Hardman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Solomon avoid being mounted?
Solomon is staying active underneath Hardman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hardman is looking to pass Solomon's guard but actually Solomon recovers to full guard.
Hardman looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hardman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zekariays Solomon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hardman 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 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brock Hardman!
During a confident post fight interview, Brock Hardman thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.