PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aage Furset (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Harper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Furset
vs
Harper

172 cm
22
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

202 cm
22
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aage Furset!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephen Harper!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Felipe Paraventi and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harper clinches.

Furset escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harper tries to clinch there but Furset circles away.
Harper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Furset stalks Harper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Harper's face. Harper staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Stephen Harper has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Furset. No joy for Harper on that attempt.
Furset lands a jab to the nose.
Furset throws a head kick that misses.
Furset throws a head kick but Harper moves out of range.
Harper throws a left and a right that both miss
and Furset counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Harper has a takedown stuffed.
Furset fails to land with a series of punches.

Harper pushes Furset up against the cage in a clinch.

Harper pulls guard effortlessly.
Harper bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Furset's guard.
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!
Harper controlling from the top position.
Furset wants to get back to his feet but Harper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harper stands up and waves to Furset to follow him.
Furset looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Furset circles away from the clinch attempt.
Furset throws a front kick aimed at Harper's knee but Harper avoids it well.
Harper is looking to clinch.
Furset looks to land a combination but Harper avoids it well.
Furset pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harper shoots in for a double leg but Furset sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aage Furset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Harper.
Furset thuds his right hand into Harper's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harper looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Furset darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Harper shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Harper looks gassed!
A decent looking cross lands there for Furset.
Furset fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Furset throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Harper sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Harper looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Harper trying to pass the guard but Furset defending well.
Harper is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Furset tries to get to full guard but Harper has control of the leg.
Harper is looking to take a break and control but Furset is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Furset keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Furset wants to get back to his feet.
Harper prevents Furset from improving his position.
Furset looks like he's trying to stand up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Harper ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Furset moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Furset throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Furset jabs at Harper's body.
Harper closes the distance and clinches up with Furset, looking for a takedown. Harper pushes Furset against the cage but Furset circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Furset falls off balance throwing a combination

and Harper counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Furset manages to break the clinch.
Furset throws a half hearted mid kick.
Furset misses with a jab, cross combination.
Furset throws a series of punches but Harper moves out of range.

Harper darts in and clinches Furset up against the cage.
Furset wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harper has him pressed against the cage.
Harper drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Furset gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Furset breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Furset throws a right and a left that Harper avoids nicely.
Harper shoots in for a takedown but Furset shows good takedown defense.
Harper is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Furset.
Furset throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Harper drives through and clinches with Furset against the cage.
Harper drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Furset gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harper drags the fight down to the ground.
Furset wanted to stand there but Harper had control of the position.

Harper has his feet on Furset's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Harper fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Furset sprawls well initially but Harper persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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!
Furset is not content to let Harper control the position.

Harper is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Furset has managed to free his arm - good work.
Furset is trying to stand up here but Harper is controlling him well.
Harper content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Furset punching from the bottom.

Furset has one foot on Harper's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aage Furset will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stephen Harper's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Harper has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Harper there as he acknowledges the shot.

Harper scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Harper is trying to control the action in half guard but Furset is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Furset is trying to stand.
Harper is tying to control. Furset wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Furset pushes Harper off but Harper dives into side control.
Furset tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Harper controlling the position easily from mount.
Furset is trying to escape the mount.
Harper looking to control and managing it successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Furset wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper controlling the position easily from mount.
Furset is squirming around, avoiding Harper's attempts to control the action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Stephen Harper just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Harper tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Furset swivels and escapes.
Furset throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Furset is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Furset displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Furset misses with a series of wild punches.
Harper fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aage Furset seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Furset throws a lazy head kick

and Harper counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Furset stops a takedown attempt from Harper.
Aage Furset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Harper.

Harper escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aage Furset is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Furset stuffs the takedown.

Harper instigates a clinch.

Harper decides to pull guard.
Harper is pulling down on Furset's head. It's preventing any offense from Furset, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Harper has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Harper is trying to control the position but Furset postures up.
Furset has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Harper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Harper 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.
Harper is controlling Furset's posture.
Harper manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Furset manages to get himself to full guard.

Harper stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Furset throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Harper.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Furset keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Harper just misses with a punch to the body.
Furset keeps the fight on the outside.

Harper decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Harper sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Furset wants to get back to his feet.
Harper is keen to just control but Furset is a slippery customer.
Furset looks like he's trying to stand up.
Stephen Harper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harper is keen to just control but Furset is a slippery customer.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Furset falls off balance throwing a combination

and Harper counters with a takedown into side control.
Furset wants to get back to his feet but Harper drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Harper creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Furset can't do much from the bottom here.
Harper wants to lay and pray for a moment but Furset keeps working.
Furset is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Harper prevents Furset from standing back up.
Furset on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Furset tries to get out of the position.
Harper blocks the strikes from Furset.
Furset is trying to stand back up but Harper is controlling him
Harper trying to pass the guard but Furset defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harper takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Furset.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Furset swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Harper moves into the clinch.
Harper tries to score a body lock takedown but Furset shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Furset prevents the takedown attempt.

Harper is trying to trip Furset. He has hold of a leg but Furset is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Harper persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Furset pushes Harper off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Harper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stephen Harper's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Furset fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Furset throws and low kick but Harper moves out of range easily.
Harper shoots in but Furset avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Harper tries to work over Furset's front leg with a kick but Furset checks it.
Harper steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Furset. That one must have hurt.
Furset throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Harper counters by clinching up.
Furset gets underhooks to prevent Harper's takedown attempt.
Furset tries to break the clinch but Harper is controlling the position.
Harper fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aage Furset has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Harper.
Harper wants a takedown.
A bit of stalling here from Harper.

Harper has hold of one of Furset's legs. Furset is fighting the takedown attempt but Harper gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Harper is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Harper is pushing down on Furset's leg trying to pass to half guard. Furset is fighting to maintain full guard but Harper has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Furset is refusing to be controlled, as Harper sits in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Furset wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Harper is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Furset!
You get the feeling that Furset really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Furset is trying desperately to improve position.
Harper can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Furset is looking to escape.
Furset gets back to half guard.
Furset tries to get to full guard but Harper has control of the leg.

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.
Harper tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Furset looks like he's trying to stand up.
Harper is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Furset wants to control but Harper is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Harper keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Harper keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Stephen Harper just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Furset lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Harper has taken the fight to the clinch.
Harper drops down looking for an ankle pick but Furset pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harper walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Furset scores with a nice head shot.
Furset pivots, looking for a leg kick but Harper is out of range and Furset settles back down.
Furset throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Harper tries to clinch but Furset is having none of it.
Harper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Furset is fending him off so far but Harper persists. Nope, Furset circles away and we're back to standing.

Harper instigates a clinch.
Furset wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harper has him pressed against the cage.
Harper tries for a takedown. No joy.
Furset wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harper has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Furset is trying to break free.
Harper keeps control of Furset as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Furset manages to break the clinch.
Furset jabs Harper right on the nose. Harper blinks but takes it well.
Harper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Furset.
Harper misses with a body kick.
Harper dodges the punch combination from Furset.
Furset on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Furset with a nice cross.
Furset rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Furset tries to bum rush Harper with a series of wild strikes but Harper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Furset misses with a series of wild punches.
Furset misses with a body shot.
Furset fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harper manages to avoid it.
Furset looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Furset throws a head kick that misses.
Furset fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Furset swinging wilding here.
Furset lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aage Furset.
I think Furset 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!