PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chad Harkleroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Five Sixteen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harkleroad comes into the arena with I am a real American blaring out of the sound system. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Harkleroad
vs
Five Sixteen

165 cm
19
208 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

185 cm
19
225 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Harkleroad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matthew Five Sixteen!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Five Sixteen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Harkleroad.

Five Sixteen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Harkleroad is trying to control but Five Sixteen manages to pass to mount!
Five Sixteen lands with some strikes.
Harkleroad keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Five Sixteen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Harkleroad is looking to escape.
Five Sixteen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Harkleroad's face.
Five Sixteen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Five Sixteen controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Five Sixteen looking to secure an arm triangle but Harkleroad defends it well.
Five Sixteen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Five Sixteen working Harkleroad over with strikes here.
Harkleroad is desperately trying to improve his position but Five Sixteen has a good base and remains in mount.
Five Sixteen punishing his opponent with strikes.
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 control but Five Sixteen is having none of it.
Five Sixteen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Five Sixteen has hold of Harkleroad's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harkleroad manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Harkleroad might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Five Sixteen tries to control but Harkleroad wriggling away.
Five Sixteen controlling the position easily from mount.
Five Sixteen landing strikes from the mount and Harkleroad is in trouble!
Harkleroad knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Five Sixteen on the ground.
Five Sixteen scoring with strikes but Harkleroad is staying in there.
Five Sixteen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Five Sixteen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Harkleroad is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Harkleroad really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Five Sixteen looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Five Sixteen lands a nice shot to the head.
Harkleroad is working to get back to half guard.
Harkleroad is squirming around, avoiding Five Sixteen's attempts to control the action.
Harkleroad is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Five Sixteen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Harkleroad is squirming around, avoiding Five Sixteen's attempts to control the action.
Harkleroad tries to hold on but Five Sixteen pushes him away.

Five Sixteen has hold of Harkleroad's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harkleroad manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Five Sixteen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Harkleroad could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Five Sixteen stands up from mount. Strange move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Five Sixteen dominated that 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.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Harkleroad is defended easily by Five Sixteen.
Nice sprawl there from Harkleroad as Five Sixteen shoots in.
Five Sixteen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harkleroad sprawls well. Harkleroad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Five Sixteen gets slowly back to his feet.
Chad Harkleroad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Five Sixteen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harkleroad with a poor takedown

and Five Sixteen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Harkleroad's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Five Sixteen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Harkleroad looking for a sweep. Not yet Harkleroad, not yet.

Harkleroad working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Five Sixteen has passed into half guard!

Harkleroad looking for a kimura from the bottom but Five Sixteen passes into side control!
Five Sixteen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Five Sixteen trying to control the action but Harkleroad is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad is trying to get back to half guard.
Who's going to make the next move?

Five Sixteen stands up.

Five Sixteen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Matthew Five Sixteen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Five Sixteen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Harkleroad is refusing to be controlled, as Five Sixteen sits in half guard.
Five Sixteen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Harkleroad is staying active underneath Five Sixteen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Harkleroad trying to control here.

Harkleroad looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Five Sixteen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Harkleroad trying to hold on to Five Sixteen's head to control him but Five Sixteen postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Five Sixteen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matthew Five Sixteen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Five Sixteen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Harkleroad as he jumps to the side.
Chad Harkleroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Five Sixteen.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Harkleroad stuffs the takedown attempt from Five Sixteen. Five Sixteen gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Five Sixteen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Harkleroad shoots for a double leg takedown but Five Sixteen sprawls well. He's pushed Harkleroad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Five Sixteen looking to score a takedown here. Harkleroad is defending well but Five Sixteen drives through and ends up in Harkleroad's guard.
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.

Harkleroad throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Five Sixteen escapes and throws Harkleroad's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Five Sixteen is looking to take a break and control but Harkleroad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Harkleroad struggling a bit here.
Five Sixteen lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Five Sixteen lands a few punches from side control.

Five Sixteen has hold of Harkleroad's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Harkleroad seems comfortable defending it but Five Sixteen has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Harkleroad is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Harkleroad is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Five Sixteen couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Matthew Five Sixteen! Matthew Five Sixteen retains his heavyweight title!
An intense looking Matthew Five Sixteen took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Thank you Jesus.'.