PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Bulger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bulger
vs
Harris

189 cm
30
203 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

185 cm
28
187 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joseph Bulger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Phil Harris!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harris has his takedown stuffed

and Bulger counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Harris working a defensive guard here.
Bulger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Harris is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bulger stands up over Harris, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harris wants to sweep here but Bulger controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulger pushing down on Harris's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Harris wants to control but Bulger is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Bulger wants to work for an arm triangle but Harris is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Harris is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bulger is taking a breather. Harris says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris is refusing to be controlled, as Bulger sits in half guard.
Bulger is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Harris!
Harris really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Bulger goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Harris turns into him and now he's in Bulger's guard.

Bulger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Harris doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Harris manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris throwing strikes from guard but Bulger blocks nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harris looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Harris is still trying to improve position.
Harris controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Harris drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bulger looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bulger looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bulger!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Bulger dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bulger doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Harris counters with a single leg into guard. Bulger didn't expect that.
Bulger keeping moving, preventing Harris from controlling successfully.
Bulger is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bulger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Harris trying to control the position from guard on top but Bulger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulger controls Harris momentarily but Harris frees himself.
Harris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Harris in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Harris wants to control from the top but Bulger keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Phil Harris.
Harris rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bulger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Harris tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bulger manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Harris tries to clinch up but Bulger circles away and keeps his distance.

Bulger scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Bulger is looking for a kimura but Harris is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bulger to get the leverage.
Joseph Bulger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harris keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Harris wants to improve his position but Bulger is controlling well.
Harris keeps trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bulger works his way into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harris is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Bulger is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris is desperately trying to improve his position but Bulger has a good base and remains in mount.
Bulger trying to control but Harris is having none of it.
Harris is wriggling around trying to escape.
Harris sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Bulger passes into side control, despite Harris's attempt to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bulger goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Harris rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Bulger's guard! Nice work there by Harris!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Harris showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bulger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Harris misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Harris gets caught napping as Bulger dives in and scores a takedown. Harris manages to retain guard.
Harris is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bulger trying to control the position from guard on top but Harris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harris trying to keep a closed guard but Bulger is proving a slippery customer.

Bulger drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Harris manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bulger has Harris in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris stands and throws Bulger's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Harris lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris moves into full mount!
Harris trying to control but Bulger is having none of it.

Harris goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bulger is on top in guard.
Bulger is pushing down on Harris's leg trying to pass to half guard. Harris is fighting to maintain full guard but Bulger has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris trying to control but Bulger postures up.
Bulger is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Bulger wants to work for an arm triangle but Harris is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bulger is working for a kimura here but Harris manages to reverse the position and he's now in Bulger's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bulger keeping full guard, as Harris tries to pass.
Harris is looking to advance position but Bulger has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Phil Harris.
Well Harris has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Harris!
A victorious Phil Harris thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.