PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cosmo Starstryder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Harper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Harper's choice of entrance music: Here Come the Hotstepper. Eric Harper acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Starstryder
vs
Harper

191 cm
28
219 lbs
8 - 17 - 0

195 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 8 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cosmo Starstryder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eric Harper!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harper misses with a takedown attempt - Starstryder sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Harper throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Starstryder was covering up waiting for the punch and Harper finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Harper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Harper throwing strikes from guard but Starstryder blocks nicely.
Harper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starstryder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Starstryder is trying to control the position but Harper postures up.
Harper working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Starstryder avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starstryder throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Harper throws a strike but Starstryder rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Harper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Starstryder trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Harper manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Harper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Harper postures up and lands a big shot to Starstryder's brow.
Harper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Harper chips away with some ground and pound.
Harper postures up and lands a big shot to Starstryder's brow.
Harper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harper throws a big elbow that misses.
Harper won't allow Starstryder to sweep him here.
Harper postures up.

Starstryder is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Starstryder utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Harper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Harper postures up in Starstryder's guard and throws a big left but Starstryder blocks it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Harper shoots in and bounces Starstryder off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Harper throws a strike but Starstryder rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Starstryder throwing strikes but missing.
Starstryder trying to control but Harper is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Harper can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starstryder wants to get up but he can't break Harper's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Starstryder trying to control the position from guard on top but Harper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harper wants to stand up but Starstryder is controlling him.
Starstryder stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harper swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Starstryder tries to stand but Harper is controlling from the bottom.
Starstryder trying to control but Harper is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Harper throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A nice leg kick lands there from Starstryder.
Starstryder swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Harper fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Starstryder sprawls well initially but Harper persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Harper prevents Starstryder from improving his position.
Starstryder blocking the ground and pound attempt from Harper.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Harper dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Harper.
A right-left combo lands from Starstryder.
Eric Harper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Starstryder connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Harper momentarily.
Starstryder thuds his shin into the meat of Harper's side.
Starstryder connects with a body shot.
Harper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Harper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Starstryder.
Starstryder throws a head kick that misses.

Starstryder gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Harper to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starstryder working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harper.
Harper scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starstryder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Starstryder is looking to stand up but Harper isn't so interested in that idea.
Harper postures up and lands a big shot to Starstryder's brow.
Starstryder utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Harper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Starstryder throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Starstryder throws a head kick that misses.
Starstryder lands with a kick to the temple. Harper shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Starstryder throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Starstryder gets caught flat footed, as Harper shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Harper is breathing heavily.
Harper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper throws a strike but Starstryder rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Starstryder trying to control the position from guard on top but Harper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harper wants to stand and escape but Starstryder is having none of it.
Starstryder looking to pass the guard.
Harper wants to stand but Starstryder is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starstryder wants to control from the top but Harper keeps moving.
Starstryder wants to pass the guard but Harper is keeping the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Harper closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Starstryder did well to prevent Harper getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Harper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Harper passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Starstryder!
Starstryder tries to reverse the position but Harper maintains control.
BOOM! Harper connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harper looking to ground and pound but Starstryder is blocking nicely.
Starstryder is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Harper cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cosmo Starstryder will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Harper shoots in looking for a takedown but Starstryder manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Harper's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Starstryder keeps Harper at a distance using the push kick.
A left lands for Starstryder.
Harper doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Starstryder swings for the body but Harper moves out of range.
Starstryder pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Starstryder looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Starstryder pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Starstryder tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harper was well out of range. Poor timing from Starstryder.
Cosmo Starstryder is winning the standup battle so far.
Harper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Harper shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Harper showed some decent athleticism there.
Starstryder is trying to control but can't.
Harper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Starstryder wants to improve his position but Harper is controlling well.
Harper looks to land a strike but Starstryder avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Starstryder working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harper.
Harper is working Starstryder over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Harper throwing strikes but missing.
Starstryder is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Harper is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Starstryder thuds a left hand into Harper's body.

Harper closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Starstryder's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper landing with the ground and pound.

Starstryder is looking for a triangle but Harper pushes his legs off easily.
Starstryder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Harper postures up.
Harper throws a strike but Starstryder rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Starstryder trying to control but Harper is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starstryder postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Starstryder would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Starstryder postures up in Harper's guard and throws a big left but Harper blocks it.
Harper is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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.
Starstryder trying to control but Harper is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Starstryder shoots in but Harper avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice sprawl there from Starstryder as Harper shoots in.
Cosmo Starstryder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Harper.
Starstryder throws a head kick that misses

and Harper counters with a nice double leg into side control. Starstryder won't be happy with that.
Harper in side control, throwing shots but Starstryder defends.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Starstryder gets back to half guard.
Starstryder tries to get to full guard but Harper has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eric Harper.
I think Harper 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Harper!
Eric Harper bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.