PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Popeye Orion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Harrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Orion
vs
Harrison

175 cm
21
170 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
183 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Popeye Orion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Harrison!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harrison scores with a nice strike.
Harrison tries to score a power double leg takedown but Orion sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Harrison somewhat.
Orion throws a series of strikes that have Harrison backpedaling.

It looks like Mike Harrison has been cut.
Orion tries to close the distance and clinch but Harrison swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Orion tries a head kick but it misses.
Harrison shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Orion as he avoids it easily.
A jab from Harrison finds it's way through Orion's defenses.
Orion tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Orion throws a right hand that Harrison ducks under and follows up with a left that Harrison also avoids with ease.

Orion pushes Harrison up against the cage in a clinch.
Orion presses Harrison against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harrison goes for a takedown in the clinch but Orion prevents it.
Popeye Orion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Harrison.

Orion lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Harrison wants to get back to full guard.
Orion wants to pass to mount but Harrison is defending the position.

Orion seems to be working for a kimura but Harrison defends the submission attempt.
Harrison wants to improve his position but Orion is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orion is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Orion seems to be looking for submissions.
Harrison wants to get back to his feet.

Orion seems to be looking for submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Orion doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Harrison counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Orion is breathing heavily.
Orion wants to sweep here but Harrison controlling him for the moment.
Harrison works over Orion with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orion is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Orion wants to sweep but no luck.

Harrison gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A shot to the body from Orion misses

and Harrison counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Orion's guard now.
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!

Harrison avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Harrison trying to stand up but can't free himself from Orion's guard.
Harrison is looking to work some ground and pound but Orion has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Orion controlling the position.
Harrison wants to control from the top but Orion keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Orion looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harrison is one step ahead there.
Orion manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Orion misses with a head shot.
Harrison is trying to escape the mount.

That's four 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.
You get the feeling that Harrison really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Orion goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Harrison turns into him and now he's in Orion's guard.

Harrison gets to his feet. Orion looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Orion misses with a takedown attempt

so Harrison counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Orion bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harrison's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harrison is trying to control the position but Orion postures up.

Orion drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Orion jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Harrison keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mike Harrison will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Harrison's cut.
That's time! Orion's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Harrison doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Orion decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Harrison's guard.
Harrison looking to control.
Orion stays in close to Harrison's body and controls the position.
Orion trying to control the position from guard on top but Harrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harrison wants to sweep here but Orion controlling him for the moment.
Harrison keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.
Harrison is breathing heavily.

Harrison looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Orion lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orion forces his way into half guard.
Orion controlling the action here.
Orion slips a nice elbow through Harrison's hands, connecting with Harrison's forehead.

Orion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Orion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Orion tries to pass the half guard into mount. Harrison knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harrison throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

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.

Orion is working for a kimura but Harrison is defending it quite comfortably.
Harrison regains full guard. Nicely done.
Harrison throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Orion wants to stand but Harrison has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Harrison looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Orion won't allow Harrison to sweep him here.
Harrison keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.
Harrison not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Harrison avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Orion trying to control but Harrison is working from the bottom.

Orion thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Harrison throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Orion trying to control but Harrison is working from the bottom.
Harrison bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Orion's guard.
Harrison wants to control from the top but Orion keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Orion looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mike Harrison has got the better of the ground game so far.
Orion trying to keep a closed guard but Harrison is proving a slippery customer.
Orion is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Orion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Orion throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Popeye Orion dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Harrison's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Harrison scores with a takedown into Orion's guard.
Harrison won't allow Orion to sweep him here.
Harrison wants to control from the top but Orion keeps moving.
Orion working a defensive guard here.
Orion has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Orion working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison content to stall in guard here.
Harrison takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Orion looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Orion is trying to control the position but Harrison postures up.
Harrison wants to stand but Orion has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Harrison loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Orion keeping moving, preventing Harrison from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Harrison stuffs the takedown.
Orion rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harrison moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Orion rushes Harrison and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Harrison pulls guard successfully.
Orion tries to free his leg and advance position but Harrison is retaining full guard.
Harrison keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.

Orion drops back looking for a leg! Harrison is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Harrison manages to kick Orion off! Orion jumps back into Harrison's guard.
Harrison with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Orion can't handle though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harrison has his foot on Orion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Orion works his way back into a safe position though.
Orion tries to free his leg and advance position but Harrison is retaining full guard.
Orion throws a big right hand that misses.
Harrison keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.
Harrison lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Orion!
Orion keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Harrison goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Orion turns into him and now he's in Harrison's guard.
Orion pushes down on Harrison's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrison is trying to get back to full guard.
Orion lands with a punch from half guard.

Orion is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Harrison is just riding it out for now. Orion eventually gives up the hold.
Harrison connecting with a few gentle strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Orion passes to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Harrison.
I think Harrison has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike Harrison!