PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between William Bonny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and mitcH hardnut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). hardnut has chosen do or die as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bonny
vs
hardnut

190 cm
22
212 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Bonny!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, mitcH hardnut!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bonny decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bonny wants to free his trapped foot but hardnut is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Bonny is trying to work for a kimura but hardnut is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bonny lands a nice short elbow.
hardnut is looking for a sweep. Bonny is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bonny not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bonny throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bonny throwing shots but hardnut is blocking nicely.
hardnut works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonny trying to control but hardnut is working from the bottom.
hardnut working a defensive guard here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bonny looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bonny is keen to just control but hardnut is a slippery customer.
Bonny wants to stand but hardnut has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Bonny is looking to stall here but hardnut recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
hardnut keeping full guard, as Bonny tries to pass.
hardnut keeping moving, preventing Bonny from controlling successfully.
Bonny tries to free his leg and advance position but hardnut is retaining full guard.
hardnut 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.
Bonny throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as hardnut works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bonny trying to control the position from guard on top but hardnut is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Bonny throws a body punch but hardnut moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonny tries to clinch but hardnut is having none of it.
Horrible takedown by Bonny or perhaps it was just good defense by hardnut which made him look bad.

hardnut drives through and clinches with Bonny against the cage.
hardnut tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bonny is trying to work for a single leg takedown but hardnut pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bonny is breathing heavily.
Bonny tries for a takedown but hardnut manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Bonny. That's going to take a lot out of him.

hardnut manages to pull guard.
Bonny throws and elbow that misses. hardnut uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bonny's guard. Nice move by hardnut!
Bonny can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as hardnut controls the pace.
Bonny trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonny is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bonny thows a huge punch but hardnut dodges it nicely.
Bonny frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
hardnut holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Bonny tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Bonny tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bonny throws some wild stikes that hardnut manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bonny dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bonny closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
hardnut is trying to control Bonny's posture but Bonny avoids it.
hardnut avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bonny.
An elbow from Bonny crashes against the mat.
Bonny throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Bonny throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Bonny is looking to take a break and control but hardnut is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bonny will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bonny in side control, just content to control the action for now.
hardnut is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hardnut regains half guard there - taking advantage of Bonny's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bonny throws a series of punches but hardnut moves out of range.
No luck for Bonny with that takedown attempt.

Bonny gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bonny is trying to work for a single leg takedown but hardnut pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
hardnut changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bonny fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bonny shoots for a double leg takedown but hardnut sprawls well. He's pushed Bonny's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Bonny. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - hardnut looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bonny shoots in but no luck this time.
Bonny darts in trying to clinch

and hardnut decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bonny's guard.

Bonny has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but hardnut can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bonny tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonny wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and hardnut is now in half guard.
Bonny wants to improve his position but hardnut is controlling well.
hardnut looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
hardnut is trying to control the action in half guard but Bonny is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bonny is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
hardnut content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

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.
Bonny makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bonny.
Bonny bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in hardnut's guard.
Bonny pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. hardnut is keeping the position for now.
Bonny working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
hardnut working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonny.
Bonny postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but mitcH hardnut will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bonny tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bonny doesn't succeed with the takedown

and hardnut counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bonny won't be happy with that.
Bonny is trying to work for a sweep but hardnut has mounted him!
hardnut trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bonny tries to improve his position but instead hardnut has taken his back!
hardnut trying to control momentarily.
Bonny tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
mitcH hardnut has got the better of the ground game so far.
hardnut wants to control the pace but Bonny is squirming around nicely.
Bonny slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonny pushes hardnut off and gets back to his feet.
Bonny shoots and misses

so hardnut counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
hardnut trying to control the position from guard on top but Bonny is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bonny looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bonny looking for submissions from the bottom but instead hardnut passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonny tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Bonny tries to improve position but can't.
hardnut prevents Bonny from escaping the position.
Bonny is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but hardnut is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Bonny is desperately trying to improve his position but hardnut has a good base and remains in mount.
hardnut tries to control but Bonny wriggling away.
hardnut manages to capitalize on a mistake by Bonny to take his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonny rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bonny is looking to improve his position.
Bonny wants to control but hardnut passes into side.
hardnut tries to advance to mount but Bonny denies him.
Bonny is trying to strike from the bottom but hardnut has passed into full mount.
hardnut can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bonny is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bonny really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bonny wants to control but hardnut is having none of it.
Bonny regains half guard.
Bonny wants to improve his position but hardnut is controlling well.
Bonny is trying to maintain the position but hardnut is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

mitcH hardnut really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

hardnut shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bonny counters with a nice double leg into side control. hardnut won't be happy with that.
Bonny postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bonny lands a few punches from side control.
Bonny wants to control but hardnut is keeping him busy.
Bonny working the ground and pound from side control.
Bonny trying to control the action but hardnut is working from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bonny landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hardnut manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
hardnut performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bonny is refusing to be controlled, as hardnut sits in half guard.
Bonny tries to regain full guard. Instead though, hardnut has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Bonny is looking to improve his position but hardnut isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
Bonny wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Bonny trying to control the action but hardnut just sinks the hooks in.
hardnut wants to control but Bonny is keeping busy.
Bonny wants to control his opponent's hands but hardnut gets his hands free.
Bonny is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Bonny is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonny is working hard here to advance position.
Bonny looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - hardnut's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Bonny tries to break free.
Bonny prevents hardnut from getting a body triangle.
I really don't envy Bonny right now.

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.
Bonny rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bonny is looking to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Bonny scores a takedown into full mount!
A nice elbow there by Bonny.
Bonny looking to control but hardnut is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
hardnut is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bonny had his way with mitcH hardnut in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bonny misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bonny darts in trying to clinch

and hardnut counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by hardnut.
Bonny is trying to control the position but hardnut postures up.
Bonny has his hands on hardnut's head, controlling the position.
Bonny controls hardnut momentarily but hardnut frees himself.
Bonny doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hardnut looking to sit in guard and control but Bonny gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bonny trying to control but hardnut is working from the bottom.
Bonny trying to stand up but can't free himself from hardnut's guard.
Bonny thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

hardnut gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
hardnut is trying to keep Bonny in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bonny gets to his feet - hardnut follows without any prompting.
Bonny tries to clinch but fails miserably

and hardnut counters by clinching up.
Bonny can't get the takedown.
hardnut drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bonny is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. hardnut can't fight it off and eventually Bonny manages to take the fight to the floor. hardnut looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Bonny drops back, looking for a kneebar! hardnut looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. hardnut looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from hardnut!
Bonny is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on hardnut's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonny flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bonny wants to get back to full guard.
Bonny trying to hold on to hardnut's head to control him but hardnut postures up.
Bonny wants to get back to full guard.

Bonny is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but hardnut pulls his head out easily.

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.
Bonny wants to control but hardnut is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bonny tries to clinch up

and hardnut counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bonny is looking to improve his position.
Bonny flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bonny tries to get to full guard but hardnut has control of the leg.
Bonny manages to get to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
mitcH hardnut comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think hardnut has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 47:48
Judge George Francis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... mitcH hardnut!
mitcH hardnut is the new light heavyweight champion!