PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darren Harged (ranked 2349 p4p, 3092 weight class) and Mike Kizowski (ranked 276 p4p, 332 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Harged
vs
Kizowski

179 cm
20
161
5 - 1 - 1

181 cm
20
160
1 - 0 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Darren Harged!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Kizowski!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kizowski misses the jab.

Kizowski closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Harged avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kizowski.
Kizowski working over Harged with some ground and pound. Harged looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kizowski prevents Harged from improving his position.
Kizowski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Harged defending well though.
It looks like Kizowski is going to stand back up.
Kizowski working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kizowski wants to take a breather but Harged is having none of it.
Harged wants to improve his position but Kizowski is controlling well.
Kizowski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harged keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kizowski is controlling the pace.

Harged manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kizowski misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kizowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harged misses with a right hand
and Kizowski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kizowski misses with a few strikes there.
Harged is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kizowski.

Kizowski has Harged up against the cage in a clinch.
Kizowski looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Harged just leaning against Kizowski, taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harged tries for a takedown but Kizowski manages to get underhooks.
Kizowski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kizowski goes for a takedown attempt but Harged pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Harged throws a big shot that misses.

Kizowski shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kizowski was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harged is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kizowski off and has taken his back!
Kizowski is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kizowski rolls, trying to escape but Harged keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kizowski defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Harged's arms.
Kizowski is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Harged off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Kizowski trying to control the action but Harged just sinks the hooks in.
A lull in the action here.
Kizowski can't escape the position.
Kizowski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Harged. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kizowski keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kizowski looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kizowski looking very determined here, making life difficult for Harged.
Kizowski is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Kizowski tries to roll but Harged sticks to his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Darren Harged will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kizowski misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Kizowski misses.
It looked like Harged wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kizowski throws a sloppy head kick and Harged moves out of range easily.
Harged avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mike Kizowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harged lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kizowski's sensitive parts.
Harged keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A combination from Kizowski does no damage.
Harged throwing a counter right hand but Kizowski manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kizowski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harged.
Harged misses the jab.
Kizowski slips a straight right by Harged.
Despite the aggression on Kizowski's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Harged throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kizowski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Harged shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kizowski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kizowski wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Harged manages to pass to side control.
Kizowski is breathing heavily.

Kizowski is looking to control Harged's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kizowski avoid being mounted?
Darren Harged overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harged seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kizowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Harged not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kizowski is looking to improve his position.
Harged is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kizowski is trying to stand back up but Harged is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harged seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kizowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kizowski is looking to control Harged's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kizowski avoid being mounted?
Kizowski is refusing to be controlled, as Harged sits in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kizowski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Harged throws out the jab.
Kizowski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Harged.
Kizowski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Harged enables Kizowski to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Harged manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Harged pushes Kizowski off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kizowski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Harged.
Mike Kizowski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kizowski lands a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harged will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kizowski misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kizowski pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Harged throws the left hand but Kizowski avoids the punch easily.
Kizowski tries to clinch up but Harged circles away and keeps his distance.
Kizowski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Harged connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kizowski. Kizowski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kizowski throws a wild body kick that Harged sees coming a mile off.
Kizowski shoots for a double leg takedown but Harged sprawls well. He's pushed Kizowski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Harged was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kizowski misses with a combination
letting Harged counter with a right hand.
Harged looks to land a left hand but Kizowski moved out of range nicely.
Kizowski changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kizowski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harged showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kizowski.
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 Darren Harged will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kizowski with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Harged to score with a decent uppercut.
Kizowski tries to clinch but Harged is having none of it.
Harged is looking to counter punch.
Kizowski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Harged sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Harged throws a jab when Kizowski was well out of range.

Harged fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kizowski sprawls well initially but Harged persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Harged trying to control the action but Kizowski is working from the bottom.
Kizowski wants to improve his position but Harged is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kizowski pushes Harged off looking to stand but Harged dives back in and keeps control.
Kizowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harged is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kizowski is looking for a sweep. Harged is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kizowski is trying to stand up here but Harged is controlling him well.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Harged is looking for a kimura here.
Kizowski is looking for a sweep. Harged is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kizowski controlling the position well.
Kizowski wants to sweep but Harged has passed to side control!
Harged happy to just control the position for now.
Harged is looking to take a break and control but Kizowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kizowski is looking for a sweep.
Mike Kizowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harged trying to control the action but Kizowski is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kizowski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harged half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kizowski tries to clinch but Harged moves out of range.
Harged throws a hook but Kizowski blocks it.
Kizowski is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Harged misses the jab.
Kizowski lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Harged circles away quickly and effectively.
As Kizowski tries to get set, Harged tries to push him back and clinch up but Kizowski manages to avoid the attempt.
Kizowski throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
As Kizowski tries to get set, Harged tries to push him back and clinch up but Kizowski manages to avoid the attempt.
Kizowski shoots in looking for a takedown. Harged tries to sprawl out of it but Kizowski keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Harged manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike Kizowski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harged avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kizowski tries for a takedown but Harged sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Darren Harged has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Kizowski.
Nice shot by Harged.
Harged fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kizowski on the side of the head.
Kizowski goes for a double leg but Harged avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Harged continues to drive forward.
Harged half committed to a counter leg kick.
Harged jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kizowski tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kizowski has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Harged finds it's way round the side to connect with Kizowski's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harged lands with an uppercut that bounces Kizowski off the cage and back into range.
Harged is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kizowski can do to turn this around?

Kizowski gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kizowski wants to get back to his feet but Harged passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Kizowski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Harged has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mike Kizowski!
During a confident post fight interview, Mike Kizowski thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.