PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sunshine Okafor (ranked 1249 p4p, 1658 weight class) and Harald Harling (ranked 166 p4p, 224 weight class). Okafor kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bliss. Harling is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The HU - Wolf totem. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Okafor
vs
Harling

175 cm
22
156
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
150
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sunshine Okafor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Harald Harling!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harling ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.
Harling looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Okafor misses.
Okafor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harling manages to avoid it.
Okafor works Harling's body with a nice hook.
A cross from Okafor lands.
Okafor lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
The fighters circling - Harling throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Okafor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor looks to throw a body kick
and Harling counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harling is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Okafor was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Okafor cracks Harling with an open hand slap.
Okafor throws a shot to the body.
Harling throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harling throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harling throws a shot to the body.
Harling slips under a jab.
Donk. Okafor catches Harling right on the button with a cross.
Okafor scores with a punch to the head.
Okafor is looking to slow Harling down with leg kicks.
Harling avoids the body shot from Okafor.
Okafor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Harling throws out the jab.
Harling walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Harling misses with a hook
and Okafor counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Harling thinking.
Harald Harling is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Okafor throws a nice inside leg kick.
Harling is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harling takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!
Okafor misses with a wild body shot.
Sunshine Okafor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Okafor wants to clinch up but Harling keeps it at a distance.
Okafor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Harling has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Okafor lunges at Harling with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Harling's hand.
Okafor tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Okafor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Sunshine Okafor has been cut.
Okafor throws a hook but Harling avoids it easily.
Okafor throws a poor cross that misses
and Harling counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Okafor definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Harling loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
Okafor lands with a nice body kick.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Harling.
Okafor throws a shot from downtown. Harling moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Okafor misses the target.

Okafor drives through and clinches with Harling against the cage.
Harling lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Okafor blocks an uppercut.
Harling fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Harling is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Okafor pushes Harling back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Okafor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Okafor misses with the head strike.
Harling throws a head punch that misses.
Harling looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Okafor.
Okafor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Okafor swings wildly with an uppercut but Harling uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harling fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Okafor has a couple of punches blocked by Harling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor throws a head punch that misses.
Harling blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Okafor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Okafor tries for a takedown but Harling manages to get underhooks.
Harling throws a punch but it's blocked by Okafor.
Harling's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Harling lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okafor has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Harling after a bit of a struggle.
Harling lands with a light punch inside.
Okafor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Harling backwards.
Okafor misses with a hook to the ribs.
Okafor goes for a takedown in the clinch but Harling prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sunshine Okafor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harling tries a body shot but Okafor blocks it.
Okafor lands with a left to the head.

Okafor turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Okafor manages to end up in side control.
Harling pushes Okafor away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Okafor gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Okafor misses with a head kick.
Harling misses with an uppercut
and Okafor makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Okafor feints and as Harling raises his hands in defense, Okafor changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Harling wants to stand but Okafor is controlling the position.
Okafor controlling from the top 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.
Okafor's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harling keeping moving, preventing Okafor from controlling successfully.
Okafor postures up in Harling's guard and throws a big left but Harling blocks it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Okafor tries to free his leg and advance position but Harling is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Harling moves out of range as Okafor strikes.

Harling drops Okafor with a beautiful combination! Okafor stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Harling is looking for the KO!
Harling looks to score with a jab to the body but Okafor is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harling throws a body punch but Okafor moves out of range.
Harling stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Okafor.
Okafor lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harling takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Harling takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Okafor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harling.
Harling throws an overhand right that lands on Okafor's shoulder, as Okafor tries to avoid the shot.
Okafor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Okafor rushes Harling and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor misses with the head strike.
Harling throws a punch but it's blocked by Okafor.
Okafor lands an uppercut.
Harling scores with a shoulder strike.
Okafor misses with some punches.
Harling cracks Okafor with a nice body shot.
Harling wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Okafor has him pressed against the cage.

Okafor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Okafor lands with a good body shot.
Harling misses the shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Okafor.
Okafor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Harling looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Harling on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Okafor. Okafor obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harling misses with a body shot.
Okafor appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Harling drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Harling takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sunshine Okafor is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okafor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okafor throws a lazy uppercut
and Harling counters with a stiff right hand.
Okafor shoots and misses
and Harling counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sunshine Okafor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Okafor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harling swats away the attempt to clinch by Okafor.
A combination from Harling does no damage.
Okafor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sunshine Okafor will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sunshine Okafor's cut.
That's time! Okafor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Okafor throws a jab when Harling was well out of range.
Okafor connects with a high kick.
Harling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Harling swings for the body but Okafor moves out of range.

Okafor shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harling's guard.
Okafor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harling swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Okafor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor looking to sit in guard and control but Harling gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Harling working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Okafor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Okafor wants to sweep here but Harling controlling him for the moment.
Harling throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Okafor is trying to control the position but Harling postures up.
Okafor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harling's guard.

Harling wants to stand but Okafor is controlling the position.

Harling wriggles free and stands up.
Good shot there by Okafor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor throws a hook to the side of Harling's head but Harling sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Okafor connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Okafor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harling looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Okafor misses with a right hand
and Harling counters with a stiff right hand.
Some wild striking there from Okafor.
Okafor throws a big shot that misses.
Harling misses with an uppercut
and Okafor counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harling misses with a left hand
and Okafor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Okafor lands with a cross.
Okafor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Okafor. Harling does a little dance to reset his feet.
Harling looks to land a left hand but Okafor moved out of range nicely.

Okafor forces Harling back against the cage and clinches.
Okafor gets through Harling's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Okafor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Okafor wants a takedown but no success here.
Nice body punch from Okafor - that landed with a thud.
Okafor throws a punch but it's blocked by Harling.
Harling throws a head punch that misses.
Harling lands a nice uppercut.
Harling misses with a hook from the clinch.
Okafor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Okafor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Okafor keeps control of Harling as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Harling scores with a nice hook to the head.
Harling lands with a left to the head.
Harling's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harling lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harling is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Okafor scores with a shoulder strike.
Okafor lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Harling or not.
Harling throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Harling tries to circle away but Okafor has him pinned against the cage.

Harling manages to break the clinch.
Harling throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Harling throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Okafor with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Okafor connects with a crisp jab.
Harling takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Okafor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harling can do to turn this around?
Harling tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot lands for Okafor.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sunshine Okafor clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Sunshine Okafor'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.

Okafor thuds his right hand into Harling's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Okafor ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Okafor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Harling.
Okafor throws a nice outside leg kick.
Okafor thows a body kick. Harling tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Harling throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Okafor throws a series of punches but Harling avoids them all with ease.
Harling moves out of range of the body kick.
Harling swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Harling blocks a head kick by Okafor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Harling does no damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Harling takes a shot to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Okafor.
Okafor lands with a light punch inside.
Okafor changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Harling fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Harling avoids the body shot from Okafor.
Okafor misses with a lunging right hand
and Harling counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Harling throws a lazy uppercut
and Okafor counters with a slapping leg kick.
Okafor misses with a head kick.
Okafor misses with a looping left.
Harling throws a counter combo.
Okafor tries to clinch up but Harling circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harling throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Harling is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Okafor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Harling moves away.
Okafor throws a lazy head kick
and Harling counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harling takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Harling is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Okafor.
Okafor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Harling's hands.
Harling has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Harling takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Harling fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Harling might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Okafor wants to land a leg kick but Harling is out of range.
Okafor blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Harling.
Okafor scoring well with a low kick there.

Okafor closes the distance and pushes Harling back into the cage.
Okafor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harling lands a shoulder strike.
Harling misses with some punches.
Okafor gets through Harling's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Harling leaning against his opponent.

Okafor breaks from the clinch.
Okafor misses with a body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Harling! But no joy.
Okafor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Okafor takes the fight into the clinch.
Harling presses Okafor against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Okafor misses with the head strike.
Okafor working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Okafor creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harling gets underhooks to prevent Okafor's takedown attempt.
Harling misses with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Okafor.
Harling misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Okafor fails to land.
Harling lands with a light punch inside.
A nice left hand lands by Okafor.
Harling working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Harling.
Sunshine Okafor has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Harling breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Harling throws an overhand right that lands on Okafor's shoulder, as Okafor tries to avoid the shot.
Okafor is looking to counter punch.
Harling throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Okafor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sunshine Okafor had his way with Harald Harling in that round.
The cut man is working on Sunshine Okafor'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Okafor throws a hook to the side of Harling's head but Harling sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Harling misses with a hook
and Okafor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Okafor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harling.
Okafor throws a shot to the body.
Okafor bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Okafor slips under a jab.
Harling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Harling displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Okafor.
Despite the aggression on Harling's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Okafor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Okafor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harling is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Harling throws a poor cross that misses
and Okafor counters with a solid body kick.
Harling is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Okafor shoots in for a double leg but Harling sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Harling moves out of range of the strikes.
Harling looks to throw the jab but Okafor is out of range.
Harling digs a good body shot into Okafor's ribs.
Okafor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Harling.
Harling ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Okafor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Harling.
Harling on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Okafor lands with a slapping head kick.
Harling takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Okafor takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harling misses with a straight right.
Okafor swings away with a body shot that misses
and Harling counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Sunshine Okafor's cut is getting worse.

Okafor instigates a clinch.
Okafor keeps control of Harling as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Okafor creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Okafor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Okafor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor misses with a left hand
and Harling counters with a series of strikes that really hurt Okafor! The ref looks into his eyes and sees nobody home - he's called the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:15 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Harald Harling!
Harald Harling is the new lightweight champion!
After the fight, Harald Harling was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.