PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zachery Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igeu Kabesa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zachery Hardy has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hardy
vs
Kabesa

194 cm
18
161 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

175 cm
18
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

One stop Shop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Zachery Hardy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Igeu Kabesa!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kabesa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hardy sprawls well initially but Kabesa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kabesa trying to pass the guard but Hardy defending well.
Hardy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kabesa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kabesa is keen to just control but Hardy is a slippery customer.

Kabesa is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Hardy to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Kabesa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hardy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Kabesa from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kabesa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kabesa wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabesa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Hardy has his foot on Kabesa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kabesa works his way back into a safe position though.

Hardy is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kabesa is aware though and is defending well.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Kabesa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hardy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kabesa has managed to get both his arms back between Hardy's legs - danger averted.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kabesa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hardy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kabesa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hardy somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hardy gets caught napping as Kabesa dives in and scores a takedown. Hardy manages to retain guard.
Hardy wants to stand but Kabesa is controlling the position.
Kabesa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hardy is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabesa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hardy keeping moving, preventing Kabesa from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kabesa is looking to advance position but Hardy has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Kabesa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've been informed that Kabesa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kabesa tries to hold on but Hardy postures up.
Kabesa is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igeu Kabesa dominated that round.
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.

Kabesa shoots in and gets a takedown into Hardy's guard.

Hardy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kabesa wants to stand but Hardy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kabesa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardy has a closed guard, preventing Kabesa from standing up.
Kabesa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kabesa throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kabesa has gone for a leg lock! Hardy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kabesa's guard.

Hardy won't allow Kabesa to get back to his feet.
Kabesa is controlling Hardy's posture.
Kabesa wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Hardy manages to pass to side control.

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.
Kabesa is trying to get back to full guard.
Hardy wants to stand up but Kabesa is controlling the position.
Kabesa is trying to control but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kabesa gets a double leg takedown into Hardy's guard.

Hardy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kabesa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hardy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kabesa wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Kabesa wants to get up but he can't break Hardy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kabesa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kabesa showed some decent athleticism there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kabesa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igeu Kabesa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hardy tries to clinch up but Kabesa circles away and keeps his distance.

Kabesa dives in and scores a takedown into Hardy's guard.

Kabesa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hardy dives on top into guard.

Kabesa keeping moving, preventing Hardy from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kabesa trying to keep a closed guard but Hardy is proving a slippery customer.
Igeu Kabesa has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kabesa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kabesa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy trying to control but Kabesa is working from the bottom.
Hardy wanted to stand there but Kabesa had control of the position.

Kabesa has an active guard here but Hardy has managed to pass into half guard.
Hardy has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

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.
Hardy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kabesa is looking to escape.
Kabesa working to try and regain half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kabesa can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabesa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kabesa's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Kabesa wants to hold on but Hardy pushes him away.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hardy trying to control but Kabesa is having none of it.
Kabesa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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.
Hardy looking to control but Kabesa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kabesa is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zachery Hardy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kabesa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igeu Kabesa!