PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Debbie Haroldson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gai Daigouji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Debbie Haroldson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gai Daigouji's chin.

Haroldson
vs
Daigouji

165 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Debbie Haroldson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gai Daigouji!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haroldson gets a takedown into half guard.
Daigouji looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Haroldson slows the pace down in half guard.
Daigouji trying to control here.
Haroldson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Haroldson moves nicely into side control.

Haroldson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Daigouji to his feet.

Haroldson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Daigouji was covering up waiting for the punch and Haroldson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haroldson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Daigouji looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Daigouji looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Daigouji!
Haroldson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Daigouji wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Haroldson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Haroldson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Haroldson keeping hold of Daigouji's head, controlling as best he can.
Haroldson is looking to improve his position.
Haroldson wants to get back to his feet.
Haroldson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Haroldson is looking to control Daigouji's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haroldson avoid being mounted?
Haroldson really is a fat lump.
Daigouji trying to pass the guard but Haroldson defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Haroldson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Daigouji sprawls well initially but Haroldson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Haroldson connects with a nice short shot to Daigouji's temple.

Haroldson seems to be working for a kimura but Daigouji defends the submission attempt.
Haroldson wants to control but Daigouji is keeping him busy.
Daigouji regains full guard. Nicely done.
Haroldson prevents Daigouji from getting back to his feet.
Haroldson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daigouji wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Daigouji trying to keep a closed guard but Haroldson is proving a slippery customer.
Daigouji avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Daigouji is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Haroldson advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haroldson trying to control the action but Daigouji is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Debbie Haroldson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Haroldson fails with a takedown attempt.
Haroldson misses with a takedown attempt - Daigouji sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Debbie Haroldson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haroldson is looking to clinch but Daigouji is avoiding it.
Daigouji with a poor takedown

and Haroldson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Haroldson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Haroldson wants to control but Daigouji is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daigouji wants to control but Haroldson is keeping busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Daigouji is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Haroldson is staying active.
Haroldson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Daigouji trying to get back to full guard but Haroldson takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Haroldson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Haroldson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Daigouji is now in Haroldson's guard. A big mistake from Haroldson there, giving up the dominant position!
Daigouji works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Haroldson trying to hold on to Daigouji's head to control him but Daigouji postures up.
Daigouji is trying to control. Haroldson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haroldson wants to control but Daigouji is keeping busy.
Haroldson is concentrating on defense, preventing Daigouji from advancing position.
Haroldson trying to get back to full guard but Daigouji takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Haroldson is desperately trying to improve his position but Daigouji has a good base and remains in mount.
Haroldson looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Haroldson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Daigouji's guard. Nice work there by Haroldson.
Haroldson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Daigouji keeping moving, preventing Haroldson from controlling successfully.

Daigouji is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Haroldson defends well.
Haroldson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Daigouji is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haroldson is looking to advance position but Daigouji has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Debbie Haroldson dominated that second round.
That's time! Haroldson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Haroldson clinches with his opponent.
Daigouji tries to pull guard but Haroldson holds him up against the cage and eventually Daigouji drops back down to his feet.
Haroldson is looking to break free of the clinch but Daigouji has double underhooks.

Haroldson pulls guard successfully.
Haroldson managing to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Haroldson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Daigouji is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Haroldson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Daigouji's back instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daigouji tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Haroldson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Haroldson tries to control but Daigouji wriggling away.
Haroldson blocks Daigouji's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Haroldson landing shots from mount.
Daigouji is trying to escape the mount.
Haroldson unloading with bombs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Haroldson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Haroldson controlling his opponent.
Daigouji is squirming around, avoiding Haroldson's attempts to control the action.
Haroldson lands a big elbow.
Daigouji manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haroldson content to control rather than advance.
Daigouji moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Haroldson wants to pass the guard but Daigouji is keeping the position.
Haroldson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Daigouji lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Haroldson!
Debbie Haroldson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Daigouji has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Haroldson's face.

Daigouji is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Haroldson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Daigouji avoids the attempt from Haroldson to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haroldson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Daigouji is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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 Debbie Haroldson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Haroldson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Debbie Haroldson!