PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jethro Gibbs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Harkleroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Harkleroad's choice of entrance music: I am a real American. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gibbs
vs
Harkleroad

181 cm
18
215 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

165 cm
18
208 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Saving Grace Clothing

Nature's Edge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jethro Gibbs!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Harkleroad!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibbs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Harkleroad.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Harkleroad has eaten all the pies!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gibbs is defended easily by Harkleroad.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gibbs is defended easily by Harkleroad.
Gibbs shoots in for a takedown but Harkleroad shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jethro Gibbs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gibbs tries to clinch

so Harkleroad counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Harkleroad engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gibbs keeping full guard, as Harkleroad tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad sitting in guard here, content to control.

Gibbs 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.

Gibbs is looking for a triangle but Harkleroad pushes his legs off easily.
Harkleroad controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gibbs will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Harkleroad drops back looking for a leg! Gibbs is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gibbs manages to kick Harkleroad off! Harkleroad jumps back into Gibbs's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gibbs wants to sweep here but Harkleroad controlling him for the moment.
Harkleroad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Harkleroad wanted to stand there but Gibbs had control of the position.
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 is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Gibbs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibbs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harkleroad sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Harkleroad stops Gibbs from standing up.

Chad Harkleroad has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A thudding body kick lands there by Gibbs!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gibbs enables Harkleroad to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gibbs manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gibbs controls Harkleroad momentarily but Harkleroad frees himself.
Harkleroad trying to control but Gibbs is working from the bottom.
Harkleroad must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chad Harkleroad was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Harkleroad avoids the head kick by Gibbs.
Gibbs is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
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.
Gibbs tries to clinch up but Harkleroad circles away and keeps his distance.
Harkleroad will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chad Harkleroad will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gibbs tries to clinch up.

Harkleroad drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Gibbs's face as Harkleroad controls the position.
You can see the frustration on Gibbs's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Harkleroad working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Harkleroad is looking to take a break and control but Gibbs is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gibbs wants to control but Harkleroad postures up.

Harkleroad goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gibbs rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Harkleroad's guard! Nice work there by Gibbs!
Harkleroad is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gibbs lands a couple of digs.
Harkleroad trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gibbs stands up over Harkleroad, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Harkleroad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harkleroad preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harkleroad seems keen to control Gibbs's posture.

Harkleroad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gibbs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Harkleroad is breathing heavily.
Harkleroad keeping moving, preventing Gibbs from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gibbs got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harkleroad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gibbs has managed to get both his arms back between Harkleroad's legs - danger averted.
Gibbs distracts Harkleroad with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gibbs connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harkleroad is pulling down on Gibbs's head. It's preventing any offense from Gibbs, at least for the moment.
Gibbs trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harkleroad's guard.

Harkleroad is working an open guard so Gibbs takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

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

Harkleroad closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Harkleroad lands in his opponent's guard.

Gibbs is looking for a triangle but Harkleroad pushes his legs off easily.
Gibbs trying to keep a closed guard but Harkleroad is proving a slippery customer.
Harkleroad is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Harkleroad wants to stand and escape but instead Gibbs has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Gibbs drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Gibbs as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Harkleroad screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Gibbs! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Jethro Gibbs!
Jethro Gibbs retains his light heavyweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Jethro Gibbs waved his t-shirt featuring Saving Grace Clothing's logo in front of the cameras.