PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Micheal Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Weller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Weller has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Harris
vs
Weller

180 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Micheal Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Weller!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Ben Watson and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harris instigates a clinch.
Weller gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Harris.

Weller turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Harris can't do much from the bottom here.
Harris knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Weller on the ground.
Weller wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harris keeps working.
Weller has knee on belly and moves into mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harris manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Harris trying to hold on to Weller's head to control him but Weller postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Harris manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Harris looking for subs off his back but Weller has passed one foot through into half guard.
Harris is looking for a sweep. Weller is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Weller 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.
Weller wants to control but Harris is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Weller looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Harris with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Weller is trying to control the action in half guard but Harris is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Harris wants to get back to full guard.
Harris is trying to stand up here but Weller is controlling him well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Harris scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Harris connects with an inside leg kick.
Harris is looking to land body kicks.
Weller fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris's corner calls for a 1-2. Harris obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Harris fails with an attempt to clinch.
Weller shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Harris defends it nicely.

Weller shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Weller showed some decent athleticism there.
Harris is not content to let Weller control the position.
Harris is trying to stand back up but Weller is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Harris wants to get back to his feet.

Harris is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Weller pulls his head out easily.
Weller is looking to take a break and control but Harris is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Harris is defending against the submission attempts here by Weller.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Harris throws a half hearted mid kick.
Micheal Harris is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Weller misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Harris shoots in looking for a takedown. Weller tries to sprawl out of it but Harris keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Weller manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Weller tries to clinch up but Harris circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Weller closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Harris did well to prevent Weller getting side control.
Harris punching from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Weller stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Harris to get to his feet.
Harris fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Weller gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Harris escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harris fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Harris throws a head kick that Weller semi-blocks.
Weller lands a nice hook to Harris's body. Harris takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Harris goes for a double leg but Weller avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Weller continues to drive forward.

Weller has Harris pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Weller pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Harris tumbling to the mat - Weller dives into Harris's guard.
Weller being controlled here momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris continues to stall.
Harris doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Harris keeping full guard, as Weller tries to pass.

Weller stands and steps away. Harris gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris circles away from the clinch attempt.
Weller shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harris sprawls well. Harris wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Weller gets slowly back to his feet.
Weller fails to land the takedown.
Micheal Harris has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Weller.
Harris circles away from the clinch attempt

and Harris moves into the clinch.
Harris is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Weller misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Weller pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Weller successfully pulls guard.
Harris tries to free his leg and advance position but Weller is retaining full guard.
Weller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Harris postures up.
Harris wants to stand and escape but instead Weller has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Harris pulls Weller in to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Weller trying to control but Harris is working from the bottom.
Weller forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Weller 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. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Harris.
Harris throws a strike aimed at the side of Weller's head but Weller avoids it well.
Weller is trying to control Harris's posture but Harris avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weller is trying to improve his position.

Harris has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Weller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Harris closes the distance and clinches.

Weller pulls guard.
Harris won't allow Weller to sweep him here.
Harris sitting in guard here, content to control.

Harris stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Weller.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Weller swivels and escapes.
Some wild striking there from Harris.
Harris throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Weller's waist but Weller gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harris off to one side.

Harris forces Weller back against the cage and clinches.
Harris jumps guard but Weller stands there with Harris around his waist. Harris gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Micheal Harris. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Weller wants a takedown but no success here.
Harris lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Weller is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Harris gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Harris successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris wants to control but Weller passes easily into half guard.
Weller trying to pass the guard but Harris defending well.
Weller works his way into full mount!
Weller with shots to the head and body - Harris looks very uncomfortable down there.
Weller wants to control the pace but Harris is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris tries to improve his position but instead Weller has taken his back!
The referee is taking a good look at Harris as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Weller!

Weller is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Micheal Harris has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joe Weller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Will Weller go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Micheal Harris.
I think Weller has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Weller!
A pretty intense looking Joe Weller took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.