|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Hardman (ranked 408 p4p, 1110 weight class) and Matija Maestro (ranked 47 p4p, 111 weight class). Maestro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Planet Caravan - Black Sabbath. Bruce Hardman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
 |
|
 |
| 186 cm
28
152
14 - 10 - 0 |
|
174 cm
38
156
28 - 10 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible |
|
Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bruce Hardman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matija Maestro!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maestro loads up on a big right hand but Hardman slips the punch.
Maestro throws a jab but it's blocked by Hardman.
Maestro lands with a hook. Hardman tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Maestro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hardman misses with a body shot.
Hardman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Maestro throws a big shot that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maestro misses with an uppercut
and Hardman counters with a shoot takedown. Maestro fights it but they end up in guard.
Hardman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Maestro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maestro is looking for a triangle here but Hardman uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hardman is looking to take a break and control but Maestro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maestro struggling a bit here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hardman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maestro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hardman is looking to take a break and control but Maestro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hardman thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Maestro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hardman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hardman trying to control the action but Maestro is working from the bottom.
Hardman is really struggling to control Maestro but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Maestro wants to control but Hardman postures up.
Hardman wants to control but Maestro is keeping him busy.
Maestro can't do much from the bottom here.
Hardman tries for a kimura but Maestro is defending well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Who's going to make the next move?
Maestro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hardman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Maestro wants to control but Hardman is keeping busy.
Maestro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hardman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maestro doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hardman.
That's four 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.
Maestro is looking to improve his position.
Hardman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Maestro wants to improve his position but Hardman is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maestro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bruce Hardman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Hardman staying out of range there.
Maestro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hardman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hardman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
It looks like Matija Maestro has been cut.
Maestro is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hardman throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Maestro counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Maestro throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hardman actively working from the bottom here.
Maestro seems to be working for a kimura but Hardman defends the submission attempt.
Maestro trying to control the action but Hardman is working from the bottom.
Maestro is thwarting Hardman's attempts to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman is concentrating on defense, preventing Maestro from advancing position.
Hardman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maestro pulls his head out easily.
Hardman tries to get to full guard but Maestro has control of the leg.
Maestro thows a huge punch but Hardman dodges it nicely.
Hardman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maestro pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardman tries to roll over but Maestro keeps him under control.
Hardman gets full guard.
Hardman is looking for a triangle but Maestro pushes his legs off easily.
Hardman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro throwing strikes from guard but Hardman blocks nicely.
Bruce Hardman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hardman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maestro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hardman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maestro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maestro trying to control but Hardman is working from the bottom.
Hardman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hardman keeping moving, preventing Maestro from controlling successfully.
Maestro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maestro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Maestro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hardman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maestro has managed to get both his arms back between Hardman's legs - danger averted.
Hardman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maestro defends well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hardman is on top in guard.
Maestro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardman preventing the sweep.
Maestro keeping moving, preventing Hardman from controlling successfully.
Hardman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maestro working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hardman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maestro is keeping the position for now.
Maestro keeping moving, preventing Hardman from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Matija Maestro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Maestro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Maestro throws a hook but Hardman avoids it easily.
Maestro throws a right hand that misses
and Hardman counters with a single leg into guard. Maestro didn't expect that.
Maestro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hardman controls the pace.
Maestro looking for a sweep. Not yet Maestro, not yet.
Maestro trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro keeping moving, preventing Hardman from controlling successfully.
Hardman postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman pushes down on Maestro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Maestro is defending against the submission attempts here by Hardman.
Hardman is trying to control the action in half guard but Maestro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hardman seems to be working for a kimura but Maestro defends the submission attempt.
Maestro slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
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.
Hardman trying to control the position from guard on top but Maestro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maestro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hardman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hardman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Maestro keeping full guard, as Hardman tries to pass.
Maestro wants to sweep but no luck.
Maestro keeping moving, preventing Hardman from controlling successfully.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hardman ducks under a wild hook from Maestro.
Hardman feinted with a counter takedown.
Maestro throws a poor cross that misses
and Hardman counters with a shoot takedown. Maestro fights it but they end up in guard.
Maestro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maestro keeping full guard, as Hardman tries to pass.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro is trying to control the position but Hardman postures up.
Maestro has his hands on Hardman's head, controlling the position.
Hardman wants to control from the top but Maestro keeps moving.
Maestro working a defensive guard here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Hardman trying to control but Maestro is working from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A jab lands there for Hardman.
Maestro misses with a straight right.
Maestro takes a jab right on the kisser.
The fighters circling - Maestro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maestro misses with a hook.
Maestro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hardman ducks right into an uppercut from Maestro.
Hardman moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hardman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maestro can do to turn this around?
Maestro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maestro slips a jab and a cross from Hardman.
Hardman shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Maestro is trying to defend but Hardman finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maestro moves into full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bruce Hardman clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Hardman moves away from the strike by Maestro.
Hardman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bruce Hardman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardman slips a jab from Maestro.
Hardman ducks right into an uppercut from Maestro.
Maestro throws a good cross that connects.
Maestro walks into a jab.
That has opened up Matija Maestro's cut even more.
Maestro gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hardman to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hardman trying to control the position from guard on top but Maestro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maestro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hardman is one step ahead there.
Hardman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro pulls Hardman in close to prevent any damage.
Hardman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Maestro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hardman trying to control but Maestro is working from the bottom.
Hardman is stalling in the full guard.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maestro misses with a straight left.
Hardman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hardman bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Maestro's head backwards.
Hardman manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maestro on his heels. He'll look to pass Maestro's guard now, I'm sure.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardman trying to control the position from guard on top but Maestro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardman stopping the sweep attempt from Maestro.
Maestro looking to control.
Hardman passes Maestro's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Maestro is refusing to be controlled, as Hardman sits in half guard.
Hardman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Maestro is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Maestro wants to get back to full guard.
Hardman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maestro defends it well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Maestro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hardman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hardman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maestro knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hardman trying to control from half guard but Maestro is working away.
Hardman is thwarting Maestro's attempts to control the position.
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.
Maestro is in trouble now - Hardman has advanced to mount!
Hardman is trying to take his opponent's back.
Hardman wants to control the pace but Maestro is squirming around nicely.
Maestro wants to hold on but Hardman pushes him away.
Hardman wants to take his opponent's back but Maestro doesn't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hardman is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Maestro can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Maestro regains half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bruce Hardman had his way with Matija Maestro in that round.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
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. This is the final round!
Maestro missing with a left hand there. Hardman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hardman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A left and a right from Hardman both land. Nice combination.
Hardman lands with a good body shot.
Maestro missing with a left hand there. Hardman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hardman tries to counter with a takedown but Maestro is quick to defend against it.
Maestro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hardman sizes up Maestro with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Maestro misses with a hook. Hardman ducked under it nicely.
Hardman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Maestro doesn't seem bothered though.
A telegraphed right hand from Maestro misses the target.
Hardman defending well as Maestro loads up on a big left hand.
Hardman is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hardman throws a nice looking combination but Maestro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matija Maestro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Hardman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hardman lands a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maestro takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jab by Hardman.
The cut above Matija Maestro's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardman with a nice calf kick.
Maestro lunges at Hardman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hardman's hand.
Hardman lands a jab-cross combination.
Hardman scores with a jab to the jaw.
Good exchange - Maestro coming out on top.
Hardman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hardman appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maestro connects with a right hand. Hardman shakes it off.
Maestro is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hardman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maestro throws out the jab.
Maestro misses with a straight right.
Maestro throws an off balance right hand
and Hardman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Maestro won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardman tries for a kimura but Maestro is defending well.
Hardman tries for a kimura but Maestro is defending well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maestro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maestro is looking for a sweep.
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!
Maestro manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardman not doing much here.
Hardman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maestro is just riding it out for now. Hardman eventually gives up the hold.
Maestro looking for submissions off his back.
Hardman trying to control the action but Maestro is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maestro is defending against the submission attempts here by Hardman.
Hardman wants to take a breather but Maestro is having none of it.
Hardman prevents Maestro from improving his position.
Hardman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Hardman wants to control but Maestro has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Hardman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hardman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Hardman!
Bruce Hardman retains his featherweight title!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
36% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
