PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chad Harkleroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Hagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harkleroad's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, I am a real American. Henry Hagan struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Chad Harkleroad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Harkleroad
vs
Hagan

165 cm
18
208 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

190 cm
18
217 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Nature's Edge Nutrition

Saving Grace Clothing
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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Harkleroad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Henry Hagan!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hagan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Hagan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Harkleroad to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Harkleroad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harkleroad trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Harkleroad throws an elbow that misses. Hagan uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Harkleroad's guard. Nice move by Hagan!
Hagan landing with the ground and pound.

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

Hagan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harkleroad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hagan has managed to get both his arms back between Harkleroad's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hagan won't allow Harkleroad to sweep him here.

Harkleroad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hagan defends it easily.
Hagan has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Harkleroad is proving hard to escape from.
Harkleroad is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harkleroad is trying to control the position but Hagan postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad wants to stand up but Hagan is controlling him.
Hagan passes Harkleroad's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Harkleroad makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Harkleroad really is a fat lump.
Harkleroad closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hagan circles away.
Hagan shoots and misses

so Harkleroad counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harkleroad showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hagan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hagan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hagan looks gassed!
Harkleroad is looking to advance position but Hagan has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Harkleroad is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hagan avoids the attempt from Harkleroad to control.
Harkleroad is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hagan lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Harkleroad wants to hold on but Hagan pushes him away.
Harkleroad is in all sorts of trouble here.
Harkleroad is working hard here to advance position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hagan tries to control but Harkleroad wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hagan shoots in but no luck this time.

Harkleroad shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Harkleroad showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hagan pushes Harkleroad off looking to stand but Harkleroad dives back in and keeps control.
Harkleroad trying to control the pace.
Hagan is trying to stand back up but Harkleroad is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Harkleroad is pressing down on Hagan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hagan is holding on for now.
Harkleroad prevents Hagan from improving his position.
Hagan is breathing heavily.

Harkleroad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Harkleroad with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Hagan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Harkleroad gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hagan tries to clinch

and Harkleroad counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hagan's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harkleroad throws a strike but Hagan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Chad Harkleroad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Harkleroad looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hagan stopping the sweep attempt from Harkleroad.

Harkleroad isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hagan stacks Harkleroad on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hagan!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagan is putting a hurting on Harkleroad here, landing some big shots from side control.
Harkleroad is looking to regain half guard here but Hagan keeps moving and retains side control.
Harkleroad is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hagan off and has taken his back!
Harkleroad looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Hagan rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Harkleroad controlling the action here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Harkleroad lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hagan wants to get back to full guard.
Harkleroad controlling the pace.
Hagan is in trouble now - Harkleroad has advanced to mount!
Harkleroad tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Harkleroad is working for a guillotine from mount but Hagan frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Harkleroad dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hagan is looking to clinch.
Hagan tries for a takedown but Harkleroad circles away easily

and Harkleroad counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hagan is refusing to be controlled, as Harkleroad sits in half guard.

Harkleroad is looking for a kimura here.
Harkleroad seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad trying to mount his opponent but Hagan defends it.
Harkleroad slows the pace down in half guard.

Harkleroad stands up out of the half guard.
Hagan tries for a takedown but Harkleroad circles away easily

and Harkleroad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Harkleroad.
Hagan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harkleroad passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad taking a breather here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harkleroad is putting a hurting on Hagan here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hagan is looking to reverse the position.
Harkleroad takes a little break here. Hagan wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Harkleroad stands up and beckons Hagan to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harkleroad decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Harkleroad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hagan wants to get back to full guard.
Harkleroad tries to stand but can't do so whilst Hagan controls his leg.
Hagan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Harkleroad controlling the pace.
Harkleroad wants to free his trapped foot but Hagan is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harkleroad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Harkleroad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Chad Harkleroad wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hagan fails with the takedown

and Harkleroad counters with a single leg into guard. Hagan didn't expect that.
Chad Harkleroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Hagan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harkleroad is stalling in the full guard.
Henry Hagan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chad Harkleroad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Harkleroad!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Chad Harkleroad waved his t-shirt featuring Nature's Edge Nutrition's logo in front of the cameras.