PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chad Harkleroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Horton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harkleroad comes into the arena with I am a real American blaring out of the sound system. Horton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ironman kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Harkleroad
vs
Horton

165 cm
18
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
210 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Nature's Edge Nutrition

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Harkleroad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nick Horton!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Bruno Hogan and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Horton wants it to stay on the feet.
Harkleroad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Horton defends it nicely.
Horton tries to clinch but Harkleroad moves out of range.

Harkleroad looking to score a takedown here. Horton is defending well but Harkleroad drives through and ends up in Horton's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Horton is trying to keep Harkleroad in close.
Horton is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Harkleroad drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Horton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Harkleroad has Horton in his guard.
Harkleroad keeping moving, preventing Horton from controlling successfully.
Horton looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Horton throwing strikes but missing.
Horton trying to control the position from guard on top but Harkleroad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harkleroad controls Horton momentarily but Horton frees himself.
Harkleroad could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Harkleroad keeping moving, preventing Horton from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nick Horton.
Harkleroad circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Harkleroad tries to keep at a distance but Horton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Horton is trying to stall.

Harkleroad is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Horton can't fight it off and eventually Harkleroad manages to take the fight to the floor. Horton looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Horton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Harkleroad controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horton controls Harkleroad momentarily but Harkleroad frees himself.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nick Horton hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Harkleroad shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Horton manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Horton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Harkleroad is controlling him.
Harkleroadis looking to pass into half guard but Horton pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Horton is in guard.
Horton trying to control the position from guard on top but Harkleroad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harkleroad has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Horton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harkleroad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Harkleroad pulls Horton in to control the position.
Horton pushes down on Harkleroad's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Horton is thwarting Harkleroad's attempts to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
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 Chad Harkleroad will probably get the nod.
That's time! Harkleroad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Horton doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Harkleroad decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Horton's guard.
Horton wants to get back to his feet but Harkleroad is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Horton keeping moving, preventing Harkleroad from controlling successfully.
Horton wants to sweep here but Harkleroad controlling him for the moment.
Harkleroad trying to control the position from guard on top but Horton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Harkleroad looking to sit in guard and control but Horton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Horton wants to pass the guard but Harkleroad is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Harkleroad working a defensive guard here.

Chad Harkleroad has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Harkleroad is trying hard to land a takedown here. Horton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Harkleroad closes the distance and clinches.

Harkleroad pulls Horton into guard.
Harkleroad keeping moving, preventing Horton from controlling successfully.
Horton won't allow Harkleroad to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horton trying to control but Harkleroad is working from the bottom.
Harkleroad has control of Horton's left arm, preventing Horton from doing any damage.
Harkleroad on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Harkleroad tries to get out of the position.
Horton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Harkleroad works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harkleroad pulls Horton in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Chad Harkleroad just wasn't active enough.
Horton darts in trying to clinch

and Harkleroad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Harkleroad.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Horton has his foot on Harkleroad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Harkleroad works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Horton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harkleroad content to stall in guard here.
Horton is trying to keep Harkleroad in close.
Harkleroad sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Chad Harkleroad.
Horton misses with a takedown

and Harkleroad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Harkleroad.
Horton is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Harkleroad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Horton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harkleroad is one step ahead there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harkleroad advances position into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harkleroad working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Harkleroad happy to just control the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Harkleroad dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Horton moves to clinch but Harkleroad breaks away

and Harkleroad counters with a shoot takedown. Horton fights it but they end up in guard.
Harkleroad sitting in guard here, content to control.
Harkleroad won't allow Horton to sweep him here.
Chad Harkleroad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Horton can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Harkleroad controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chad Harkleroad wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Horton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horton misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harkleroad shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Horton is in trouble now - Harkleroad has advanced to mount!
Harkleroad scoring with strikes but Horton is staying in there.
Harkleroad is landing with some decent strikes but Horton is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Harkleroad jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Horton manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Horton is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Horton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad tries to move to mount but Horton blocks the move with his legs.
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!
Harkleroad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Horton keeps working.

Harkleroad tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Harkleroad has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Harkleroad decides to stand up, so the ref orders Horton to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad is trying hard to land a takedown here. Horton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Horton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Harkleroad swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Harkleroad closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Horton's guard.
Harkleroad trying to control the position from guard on top but Horton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harkleroad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Horton is keeping the position for now.
Harkleroad slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Harkleroad has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Horton is working away from the top position though.

Harkleroad looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harkleroad is not content to let Horton control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Harkleroad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Harkleroad, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Harkleroad!
Chad Harkleroad managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Nature's Edge Nutrition, into his post fight interview.