PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clayton Harding (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Njun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Harding
vs
Njun

185 cm
19
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clayton Harding!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thomas Njun!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Franklyn Lucas and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harding takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Harding moves out of range of the strikes.
Njun waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Harding.
Njun tries to clinch there but Harding circles away.
Njun throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Njun throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Harding tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Njun tries to bum rush Harding with a series of wild strikes but Harding uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Harding darts in trying to clinch

and Njun moves into the clinch.
Njun should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
A nice right hand lands inside from Njun.
Njun wants to break free but Harding has control.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Njun has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Njun is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Harding putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Njun in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Njun being controlled against the cage.
Njun drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harding pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harding moves in looking to clinch but Njun pushes him off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Njun throws a series of punches but Harding moves out of range.
Harding fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Njun circles away from the clinch attempt
and Njun connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Clayton Harding has been cut.
Harding wants to clinch.

Njun forces Harding back against the cage and clinches.
Harding connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Thomas Njun has been cut.
Njun wants to break the clinch but can't.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding is controlling him.
Harding working Njun over with knees to the body.
Njun looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harding with an attempt at a knee that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Harding just misses with a elbow thrown towards Njun's brow.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Harding lands a good knee to the midsection. Njun won't want to take too many of those.
Harding throws an elbow that misses.
Harding tries a knee to the head but Njun blocks it.

Harding breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Harding clinches with his opponent.
Harding misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Njun.
Harding is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harding misses with an elbow strike.
Harding lands an elbow inside that Njun shrugs off.
Njun takes a knee to the side of the body.
Harding landing knees to the head.
Harding creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Njun's defenses.
Harding with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
Harding landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Harding with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Njun takes a knee to the side of the body.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Njun has eaten all the pies!
Harding is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Harding lands an elbow inside that Njun shrugs off.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding is controlling him.
Harding with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Njun tries for a takedown but Harding manages to get underhooks.
Harding stalling the fight.
Harding misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Njun.
Harding is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Njun is defending well for now.
Njun takes a knee right on the jaw!
Harding tries a knee to the head but Njun blocks it.
Harding using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Njun has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njun tries for a takedown. No joy.
Clayton Harding has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Njun.
A right hook to the body lands for Harding.
Njun has had enough of the clinch but Harding keeps him there for the moment.

Harding breaks the clinch.

Harding gets a clinch.
Harding avoiding damage.
Harding misses with an elbow over the top.
Harding using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Njun has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Harding putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Njun in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Harding throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Njun blocks it with crossed arms.
Harding lands an elbow just above Njun 's eye.
Harding misses with a knee to the head.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Njun's efforts to push away.
Harding misses with an elbow strike.
Harding is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Njun is defending well for now.
Njun is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Njun working hard to break the clinch.
Harding tries to stall but Njun uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Harding prevents Njun from breaking the clinch.
Harding misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Njun.
Harding unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Harding with a knee to the head.
Harding lands a knee to the body.
Harding landing knees to the head.
Harding landing knees to the head.

That has opened up Thomas Njun's cut even more.
Harding lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees to the body from Harding.
Nice elbow from Harding.
Harding working Njun over with knees to the body.
Harding tries to stall but Njun uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Njun is struggling to control the position.
Harding lands an elbow inside that Njun shrugs off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harding is trying to maintain a safe position but Njun gets an underhook and turns Harding into the cage.
Harding scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harding misses with an elbow strike.
Harding misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clayton Harding dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Harding clinches with his opponent.
Harding scores with a knee to the head.
Harding tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Harding misses with a knee to the head.
Njun working hard to break the clinch.
Njun goes for a takedown in the clinch but Harding prevents it.
Harding blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Njun stalling in the clinch but Harding improves position.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Harding here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Harding throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Harding looking to stall.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Harding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harding misses with a knee to the head.
Njun can't break the clinch.
Harding is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Njun can do to turn this around?
Njun wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Njun is breathing heavily.
Njun wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Harding throws an elbow that misses.
Harding misses with a knee strike.
Harding is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harding putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Njun in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
Harding controlling the action here for a moment.
Harding with a knee to the head.
Harding looking to throw knees to the head but Njun is blocking nicely.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Harding.
Harding blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Njun has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Harding looking to throw knees to the head but Njun is blocking nicely.
Harding is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Harding with a knee to the head.
Njun tries to score a body lock takedown but Harding shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Harding makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Harding gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Harding landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Harding is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harding lands a knee to the body.
Harding lands an elbow inside.
Harding throws an elbow that misses.
A short right from Harding on the inside.
Harding pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Harding taking a breather.
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!
Harding with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Njun blocks an elbow strike.
Njun wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Njun's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Njun breaks the clinch.
Harding circles away from the clinch attempt.

Harding has closed the distance and engaged Njun in a clinch.

Harding pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Harding is looking to clinch.
Njun avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harding darts in trying to clinch

and Njun moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Njun is defending well for now.
A short uppercut from Harding.
Harding throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Njun blocks it with crossed arms.
Harding tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Njun tries to circle away but Harding has him pinned against the cage.
Harding lands an elbow that stopped Njun in his tracks for a moment.
Njun wants to break the clinch but can't.
Clayton Harding has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
Njun is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Harding pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Clayton Harding has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Njun.
Harding trying to stall but Njun improves his position.
Harding working Njun over with knees to the body.
Harding misses with a knee to the head.
Harding using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Njun has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Harding lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Harding pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Harding gets underhooks to prevent Njun's takedown attempt.
Njun avoiding damage as Harding throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding tries to land knees in the clinch but Njun avoids the damage to the body.
Njun blocks an elbow strike from Harding.
Harding with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Njun is trying to force a seperation but Harding has the dominant position.
Harding just leaning against Njun, taking a breather.
Harding crunches a lovely knee into Njun's ribcage.
Harding throws an elbow but it misses.
Harding blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Njun in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Harding taking a breather.
Njun is looking to break free of the clinch but Harding has double underhooks.
Njun on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Njun drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
Harding scores with a knee to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Harding scores a nice knee to the body.
Njun tries to break free but Harding pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clayton Harding dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Harding tries to close the distance and clinch but Njun swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harding shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Njun but Njun pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Njun just misses with a punch to the body.
Njun throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Harding on the side of the head.
Harding fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harding tries to close the distance and clinch up but Njun swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Njun circles away from the clinch attempt
and Njun counters with a straight right hand.
Njun fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Harding tries to clinch there but Njun circles away.
Harding fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harding scoring well with a low kick there.
Harding lands with a straight right. Njun didn't see that one coming.
Some wild striking there from Njun.
Njun takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harding tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Njun clinches but Harding breaks the clinch

and Harding counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harding tries a knee to the head but Njun blocks it.
Njun tries a body shot but Harding blocks it.
Njun avoiding damage as Harding throws knees to the body.
Harding landing knees to the head.
Harding with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Njun avoids a wild elbow strike from Harding.
Harding lands a knee to the head.
Njun throws a head punch that misses.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Njun's efforts to push away.
Harding is stalling here.
Njun tries to break the clinch but Harding is controlling the position.
Harding scores with a knee to the head.
Harding using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Njun has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Njun is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Harding pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Harding tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Harding misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harding escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harding tries to clinch there but Njun circles away.
Njun misses with a double jab

and Harding counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A knee to the head by Harding.
Harding connects with a knee to the head.
Harding pushes off an throws an elbow but Njun leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Harding just misses with a elbow thrown towards Njun's brow.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but Njun blocks with his arms.
Njun is trying to break free.
A short uppercut from Harding.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Harding slows down the pace here.
Njun managing to block the knees to the body from Harding.
Njun has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
Njun wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njun wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Harding.
Harding crunches a lovely knee into Njun's ribcage.
Harding with a knee to the head.
Njun takes a knee right on the jaw!
Harding looking to throw knees to the head but Njun is blocking nicely.
Njun tries for a takedown. No joy.
Harding lands a body punch.
Harding with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Harding misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Njun.
A short left from Harding.
A knee to the head by Harding.
Harding with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Njun swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Harding putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Njun in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Harding throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Njun wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Njun takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thomas Njun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harding tries to land knees in the clinch but Njun avoids the damage to the body.
Harding stalling in the clinch but Njun improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding prevents Njun from breaking the clinch.
Harding tries to land a knee to the head but Njun blocks with his arms.
Njun is trying to break the clinch but Harding is controlling him.
Harding lands a nice knee to the body.
Harding comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Njun's efforts to push away.
Harding tries a knee to the head but Njun blocks it.
Harding is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Njun is defending well for now.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Njun as Harding tries to tie him up.
Harding keeps control of Njun as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Harding tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Njun is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Njun tries to break free but Harding pushes him back against the cage.
Harding has Njun pressed against the cage, preventing Njun from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Harding has Njun pressed against the cage, preventing Njun from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Harding trying to stall but Njun improves his position.
Njun has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Clayton Harding is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Njun tries to break the clinch but Harding is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clayton Harding showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Harding has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clayton Harding!