PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sexton Hardcastle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Hard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hardcastle kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is How I Could Just Kill a Man- Rage Against the Machine. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hardcastle
vs
Hard

175 cm
20
151 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
148 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Voodoo Nutrition

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sexton Hardcastle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Hard!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hard lands a slapping body shot.
Hard throws a series of strikes that have Hardcastle backpedaling.
Hardcastle swinging wildly here.
Hard scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hard lands a jab to Hardcastle's midsection.
Hard lands a right hook to the body.
Ben Hard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hard, as that shot connected.
Good standup being displayed there by Hard as he connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hard cracks Hardcastle with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hard looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A big left from Hardcastle misses.
Hardcastle throws a body punch but Hard moves out of range.
Hard misses with a wild combination.
Hard scores with a punch to the head.
Hardcastle slips a jab and a cross from Hard.
A combination from Hardcastle does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard throws a series of punches but Hardcastle avoids them all with ease.
Hard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hardcastle's hands.
Hardcastle throws a lazy right hand but Hard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hardcastle looks to land a right hand but Hard moved out of range.
Hard throws a series of punches but Hardcastle avoids them all with ease.
Hardcastle is looking to counter punch.

Oooooh!!! Hardcastle has knocked Hard down with a huge combo! Hardcastle steps away and waves a wobbly Hard back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Hard is rocked!

It looks like Ben Hard has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hard lands a slapping body shot.
Hard is still on wobbly legs! Can Hardcastle finish him?
Hardcastle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sexton Hardcastle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardcastle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hard is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hardcastle with a body shot.
Hardcastle throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hard seems to have recovered his senses.
Hardcastle throws a head kick but Hard moves out of range.
Hard stalks Hardcastle and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hardcastle's face. Hardcastle staggers backwards, shaken.
Hard scores with a jab to the body.
Hard slips under a jab from Hardcastle.
Hard misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardcastle walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hard checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hard throws a body punch but Hardcastle moves out of range.
Hard scores with a one two! Hardcastle had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hard lands a nice looking body shot.

Hardcastle drops Hard with a beautiful combination! Hard stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hardcastle is looking for the KO!
Hardcastle thuds a left hand into Hard's body.
Hard lands a jab to Hardcastle's midsection.
Hard dives in and grabs Hardcastle's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hardcastle pushes down on Hard's head and hops out.
Hardcastle misses with a body shot
and Hard counters with a left and a right that stings Hardcastle.
Hard fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hard feints a jab promting Hardcastle to slip. Hard then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hardcastle slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hardcastle slips a jab from Hard.
Hard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hard slips under a jab.
Hard doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hard misses with a hook to the body
and Hardcastle counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hardcastle. Hard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hardcastle throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hard moves out of range of the strikes.
Hard is looking for the big counter here.
Hardcastle misses with a wild body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Hard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hard.
Hard smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A cross from Hard lands.
Hardcastle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hardcastle circles away quickly and effectively.
Hard connects with a body shot that sends Hardcastle's belly button to the back.
Hardcastle connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hard momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hard throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hardcastle defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hard.
Hard fails with the takedown.
Sexton Hardcastle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Hard.
Hardcastle swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hard.
Hard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hardcastle jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardcastle takes one to the side of the head.
Hard scores with a one two! Hardcastle had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hardcastle lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hard takes a step back to recover.
Hard looks winded!
Hard misses with a wild combination.
Hardcastle went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hard throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardcastle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hardcastle misses with a head kick.
A combination from Hard does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Hard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Hard'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.

Hardcastle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hardcastle throws a hook but Hard avoids it easily.
Hard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hard, as that shot connected.
Hard lands with a straight right. Hardcastle didn't see that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Hardcastle. Those never looked like landing.
Hard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hardcastle's head.
Hardcastle looks to land a combination but Hard avoids it well.
Hard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hard jabs at Hardcastle's body.
Hard lands a lovely overhand right.
Hard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hardcastle moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hard fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardcastle looks to score with a jab to the body but Hard is just out of range.
Hard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardcastle looks to score with a jab to the body but Hard is just out of range.
Hardcastle looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hard, as that shot connected.
Hardcastle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardcastle misses with a body shot.
Hard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hardcastle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hard.
We've been told by Hardcastle's head coaches at Bruize Brothaz that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hardcastle missing with a left hand there. Hard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hardcastle swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hardcastle thinking.
Hard lands with a shot to the body.
Hardcastle looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hard fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardcastle on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hardcastle stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ben Hard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hardcastle rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hardcastle takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Hardcastle scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hard's corner calls for a 1-2. Hard obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hardcastle throws a hook but Hard blocks it.
Hardcastle looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hard lands a body shot.
Hardcastle misses with a wild combination.
Hardcastle throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hard.
Hard cracks Hardcastle with an open hand slap.
Hard scores with a body shot.
Hard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Hardcastle lands a left and a right that send Hard crashing to the mat, dazed. Hardcastle thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

That has opened up Ben Hard's cut even more.
Hardcastle throws a jab but it's blocked by Hard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hard is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hardcastle with a body shot.
Hardcastle swings for the body but Hard moves out of range.
Hardcastle swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hard counters with a stiff right hand.
Good exchange - Hard coming out on top.
Hard lands a nice looking body shot.
Hard lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hard.
Hard stuns Hardcastle with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jab, jab by Hardcastle - just one landing.
Hard misses with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hardcastle was well out of range. Poor timing from Hard.
Hard scores with a hook to the body. Hardcastle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hardcastle throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hard scores with a hook to the body. Hardcastle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hardcastle loads up on a big right hand but Hard slips the punch.
Hard swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hardcastle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardcastle swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hard.
Hardcastle misses with a straight right.
Hardcastle throws a hook to the side of Hard's head but Hard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sexton Hardcastle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hard lands with a nice body punch.
Hard misses with a double jab
and Hardcastle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hardcastle takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hard avoids the head kick by Hardcastle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hardcastle.
Hard lands with a nice body punch.
Hard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardcastle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ben Hard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ben Hard's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hard tests Hardcastle's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hardcastle takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A combination from Hard does no damage.
Hard shoots in for a takedown but Hardcastle shows good takedown defense.
Hardcastle swings for the body but Hard moves out of range.
Hard lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hardcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hard moves away.
Hardcastle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hard circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hardcastle connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hard momentarily.
Hardcastle tries a low kick but Hard avoids it.
As Hardcastle backs off Hard throws a huge counter combo but Hardcastle manages to avoid it all.
Hard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardcastle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hard manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hard misses with a series of wild punches.
Hard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hardcastle.
Hardcastle will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hard looks to score with a jab to the body but Hardcastle is just out of range.
Hardcastle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hardcastle misses with an uppercut. Hard saw that one coming.
Hard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hardcastle lands a two punch combo.
Hardcastle fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hardcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hard moves away.
Hardcastle looks to score with a jab to the body but Hard is just out of range.
Hard moves out of range as Hardcastle strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hardcastle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hardcastle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hardcastle misses with a head kick.
Hardcastle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hardcastle.
Hardcastle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hard.
Hard throws a series of punches but Hardcastle avoids them all with ease.
Hardcastle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hard.
As Hard looks to move away, Hardcastle throws a big counter combo but Hard just gets out of the way.
Hard smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hardcastle feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hardcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hard moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A big right from Hardcastle misses.
Hardcastle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hardcastle misses with an uppercut.
Hard scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hard jabs Hardcastle to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hard uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hardcastle has time to react.
Hard moves away from the strike by Hardcastle.
Hard cracks Hardcastle with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hard misses with a wild combination.
Hardcastle misses with a shot to the body
and Hard counters with a left and a right that stings Hardcastle.
Hardcastle dodges the punch combination from Hard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardcastle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hardcastle throws out the jab.
Hardcastle throws a looping overhand right but Hard ducks down to avoid it.
Hard lands with a nice body punch.
Sexton Hardcastle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hardcastle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hard.
Hard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hardcastle loads up on a big right hand but Hard slips the punch.
Hard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hardcastle on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hardcastle throws a head kick but Hard moves out of range.
Hard walks into a jab.
Hardcastle thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hardcastle misses with a few strikes there.
A nice side step and Hard releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hardcastle misses with a body shot
and Hard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hardcastle throws an off balance right hand
and Hard counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ben Hard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Hard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hard 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Hard!