PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Arroyo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hardy
vs
Arroyo

185 cm
24
169 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

168 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gabriel Arroyo!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Arroyo slips a straight right by Hardy.
Hardy sizes up Arroyo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hardy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hardy lands a jab.
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 scores with the left hand. Arroyo knows he should have avoided that one.
Hardy missing with a left hand there. Arroyo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A slow jab from Hardy misses its intended target.
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Arroyo saw that one coming.
Arroyo moves out of range as Hardy strikes.
Arroyo ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.
Hardy looks to land a right hand but Arroyo moved out of range.
Arroyo wants to clinch.
Nick Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardy throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Gabriel Arroyo has been cut.
Arroyo slips under a jab.
Hardy throws a hook but Arroyo blocks it.
Arroyo throws a push kick but Hardy slaps the foot to one side.
Hardy misses with a straight right.
Hardy is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Arroyo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Arroyo misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Arroyos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A decent looking cross lands there for Hardy.
Hardy throws a hook to the side of Arroyo's head but Arroyo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hardy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hardy wants it to stay on the feet.
Arroyo shoots for a takedown but Hardy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hardy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Arroyo. Arroyo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arroyo is defended easily by Hardy.
Nick Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Arroyo.
Hardy loads up on a big right hand but Arroyo slips the punch.
Hardy looks to throw the jab but Arroyo is out of range.
Arroyo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardy throws out the jab.
Hardy throws a lazy right hand but Arroyo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hardy swats away the attempt to clinch by Arroyo.
Hardy misses with a straight left.
Hardy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Arroyo is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hardy is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Arroyo.
Hardy misses the jab.
Hardy is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Arroyo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hardy was covering up waiting for the punch and Arroyo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hardy is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arroyo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Arroyo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hardy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Arroyo looking to pass the guard.
Hardy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arroyo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hardy wants to stand but Arroyo is controlling the position.
Arroyo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arroyo prevents Hardy from getting back to his feet.
Hardy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Arroyo stands up and waves to Hardy to follow him.
Arroyo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardy swivels and escapes.
A swing and a miss from Hardy.
Hardy blocks a low kick nicely.
Hardy misses with an uppercut

and Arroyo counters with a shoot takedown. Hardy fights it but they end up in guard.
Arroyo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Arroyo from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gabriel Arroyo.
Hardy swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Arroyo.
Hardy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Arroyo should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Arroyo slips under a jab.
Hardy cracks Arroyo with an open hand slap.
Arroyo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardy lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Arroyo misses with a looping left.
Hardy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arroyo.
Arroyo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hardy avoids it really well and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arroyo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Hardy leaves Arroyo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Hardy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gabriel Arroyo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hardy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Arroyo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arroyo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardy misses with a looping left.
Arroyo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hardy defends it nicely.
Arroyo throws a right hand that Hardy ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardy also avoids with ease.
A big left from Hardy misses.
Arroyo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hardy throws out a loose jab but Arroyo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy scores with a punch to the head.
Hardy throws an overhand right that lands on Arroyo's shoulder, as Arroyo tries to avoid the shot.
Hardy scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hardy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arroyo.
Arroyo tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy stuffs the takedown attempt from Arroyo. Arroyo gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardy throws a good cross that connects.
A jab lands there for Hardy.
Hardy keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Arroyo tries to clinch up.
Arroyo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Arroyo moves out of range as Hardy strikes.
Hardy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hardy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Arroyo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nick Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Arroyo.
Hardy with a nice cross.
Arroyo misses with a wild combination.
Arroyo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hardy but Hardy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Arroyo looks to land a combination but Hardy avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Hardy catches Arroyo right on the button with a cross.
Nick Hardy is winning the standup battle so far.
Hardy sizes up Arroyo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Arroyo is looking to chop away at Hardy's legs.
Hardy loads up on a big right hand but Arroyo slips the punch.
Hardy misses with a hook.
Horrible takedown by Arroyo or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardy which made him look bad.
Arroyo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Arroyo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arroyo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Arroyo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab from Hardy.
Hardy scores with a nice right hand.
Hardy moves into range and connects with a jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Arroyo.
Hardy throws a looping overhand right but Arroyo ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arroyo looks for a takedown but Hardy sprawls well.
Arroyo moves out of range as Hardy strikes.
Arroyo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Arroyo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arroyo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Arroyo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hardy circles away.

Arroyo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Arroyo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hardy wants to get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here as Arroyo stalls from top position.
Arroyo is looking to take a break and control but Hardy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Arroyo just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Hardy controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Arroyo struggling to land strikes to the head as Hardy covers up.
Arroyo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Arroyo is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Hardy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gabriel Arroyo's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hardy jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Arroyo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arroyo takes one on the button.
Hardy avoids the head kick by Arroyo.
Hardy bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Arroyo's head.
Hardy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Arroyo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hardy scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hardy looks to land a left hand but Arroyo moved out of range nicely.
Hardy lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hardy jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hardy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arroyo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Arroyo.
Arroyo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gabriel Arroyo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardy misses with a hook. Arroyo ducked under it nicely.
Hardy throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arroyo slips a straight right by Hardy.
Arroyo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardy swivels and escapes.
Arroyo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hardy defends it nicely.
Nick Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Arroyo.
Arroyo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arroyo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hardy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hardy slaps away a takedown attempt from Arroyo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hardy scores with a jab.
Hardy scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hardy is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hardy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arroyo.
Arroyo shoots in for a double leg but Hardy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Arroyo shoots in looking for a takedown but Hardy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Arroyo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hardy connects with a single shot there.
Arroyo ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.

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.
Arroyo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Arroyo saw that one coming.
Arroyo ducks under a wild hook from Hardy.
Hardy cracks Arroyo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hardy catches Arroyo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hardy lands with a hook. Arroyo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hardy misses with a straight right.
Hardy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Arroyo has time to react.
Arroyo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hardy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arroyo blocks a jab.
Hardy loads up on a big right hand but Arroyo slips the punch.
Hardy misses with an uppercut. Arroyo saw that one coming.
Hardy throws a shot from downtown. Arroyo moves away and avoids it.
Arroyo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Arroyo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hardy is not content to let Arroyo control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy parries the strikes from Arroyo easily there. Arroyo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hardy to escape.
Hardy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Arroyo.
Hardy wants to get back to his feet but Arroyo drags him back down.
Arroyo taking a breather here.

Hardy throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nice defenses there by Arroyo.
Arroyo fails to land the takedown.
Arroyo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arroyo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hardy pinned against the cage. Hardy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Arroyo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Arroyo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardy sprawls well. Hardy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arroyo gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardy takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gabriel Arroyo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nick Hardy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A left lands for Hardy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Hardy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hardy, 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Hardy!