PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Riggid Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Casper Harp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Casper Harp has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Payne
vs
Harp

170 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
182 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Riggid Payne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Casper Harp!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harp is looking to clinch.
Payne ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Payne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harp rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Payne moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Harp is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Harp throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Payne blocks a jab.
Harp throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne avoids the body shot from Harp.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harp moves in looking to clinch but Payne pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Payne tries to keep at a distance but Harp has taken the fight into the clinch.

Harp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Harp moves into the clinch successfully.
Harp is trying to drag Payne to the mat but Payne just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Harp's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Payne defending well as Harp loads up on a big left hand.
Casper Harp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harp keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payne fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Harp avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riggid Payne. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Payne is defended easily by Harp.
Payne jabs Harp right on the nose. Harp blinks but takes it well.
Payne keeps the fight on the outside.
Payne lunges at Harp with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Harp's hand.

Harp has closed the distance and engaged Payne in a clinch.
Payne is trying to break free.
Payne looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Harp gets underhooks to prevent Payne's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Payne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Harp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Harp lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Payne throws a good cross that connects.
Payne tries to score a power double leg takedown but Harp sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Payne somewhat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payne on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Harp.

Payne looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Payne prevents Harp from getting back to his feet.
Harp really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Payne. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Payne postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Payne throwing strikes but missing.

Payne thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Payne is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harp looking for a sweep. Not yet Harp, not yet.
Harp wants to get back to his feet but Payne is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Harp tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.
Payne keeps the fight on the outside.
Harp defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Payne.
Nice shot lands for Payne.
The crowd cheers as Harp lands an impressive looking overhand right. Payne doesn't seem phased though.
Harp doesn't manage to clinch there - Payne circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harp tries to clinch but Payne is having none of it.
Casper Harp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Harp is out of range.
Harp is looking to clinch.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Payne paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harp swings for the body but Payne moves out of range.
Payne dives in and grabs Harp's left leg, looking for a takedown. Harp pushes down on Payne's head and hops out.
Harp throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Harp as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riggid Payne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Harp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Harp moves in looking to clinch but Payne pushes him off.
Harp wants to clinch up but Payne keeps it at a distance.

Payne shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harp's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harp is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Harp lands some strikes from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payne won't allow Harp to get back to his feet.
Payne has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Payne stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harp swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Payne trying to control but Harp is working from the bottom.
Payne stops Harp from standing up.

Payne is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch but Payne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Payne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harp.
Payne fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Harp tries to clinch but Payne moves out of range.
Harp tries to clinch there but Payne circles away.
Harp tries to clinch up.

Harp fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Payne, pushing him back against the cage.

Harp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Payne shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Harp but Harp pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Harp lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harp lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Harp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harp wants to clinch up but Payne keeps it at a distance.
Payne circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harp misses with the combination.
Harp tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Casper Harp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Harp tries to clinch there but Payne circles away.
Harp wants to clinch up but Payne keeps it at a distance.
Harp chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Harp stuffs the takedown attempt from Payne. Payne gets slowly back to his feet.
Harp fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harp stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Payne jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Harp walks away with a smile on his face. Payne gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riggid Payne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harp shoots in and bounces Payne off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Harp stands up and waves to Payne to follow him.
Payne stuffs the takedown.
Payne has a takedown stuffed.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Harp fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Payne manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harp ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Payne moves away.
Payne shoots for a double leg takedown but Harp sprawls well. He's pushed Payne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Harp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Harp throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Harp tries to close the distance and clinch but Payne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck for Payne with that takedown attempt.

Harp gets caught flat footed, as Payne shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Payne won't allow Harp to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harp controlling the position.
Payne lands a couple of elbows.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Harp holds on and takes a little breather.
Harp wants to stand up but Payne is controlling him.
Harp keeping moving, preventing Payne from controlling successfully.
Harp working a defensive guard here.
Harp pulls Payne in close to prevent any damage.
Harp is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.
Harp keeping moving, preventing Payne from controlling successfully.
Harp looking for a sweep. Not yet Harp, not yet.
Payne might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Harp scores with the left hand. Payne knows he should have avoided that one.
Harp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Harp tries to clinch up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harp lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Payne backs up against the cage.
Riggid Payne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Casper Harp is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big left from Payne misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Casper Harp comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Harp winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Casper Harp!