PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Garik Harlamov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethelbart Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Harlamov
vs
Takahashi

206 cm
36
275 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

190 cm
34
243 lbs
32 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

DC Unrivaled
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Garik Harlamov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Ethelbart Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harlamov was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahashi.
Harlamov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Takahashi's waist but Takahashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harlamov off to one side.
Horrible takedown attempt by Harlamov or perhaps it was just good defense by Takahashi, which made it look bad.
Harlamov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takahashi throws a body shot but no joy.
Takahashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harlamov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takahashi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garik Harlamov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi misses with a low kick.
A lazy body kick from Takahashi

and Harlamov counters with a single leg into guard. Takahashi didn't expect that.
Harlamov postures up in Takahashi's guard and throws a big left but Takahashi blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harlamov with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlamov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Takahashi looking for a guillotine here but Harlamov defends easily.
Harlamov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlamov stands up over Takahashi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Takahashi is pulling down on Harlamov's head to control his posture.
Harlamov landing some decent shots from guard.
Takahashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Harlamov wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.
Harlamov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harlamov cracks Takahashi with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Harlamov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Harlamov stands up over Takahashi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Harlamov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Takahashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harlamov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Harlamov trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harlamov passes Takahashi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Takahashi gets back to full guard.
Harlamov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Harlamov from controlling successfully.
Takahashi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harlamov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Takahashi pulls Harlamov in close to prevent any damage.
Harlamov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Harlamov throws a big elbow that misses.
Harlamov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Harlamov drops back looking for a leg! Takahashi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Takahashi manages to kick Harlamov off! Harlamov jumps back into Takahashi's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Harlamov trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Takahashi throws a jab but it's blocked by Harlamov.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Harlamov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Takahashi pulls Harlamov in close to his closed guard and prevents Harlamov from doing any damage or advancing position.

Harlamov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Harlamov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Harlamov throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harlamov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harlamov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garik Harlamov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Harlamov dives in and grabs Takahashi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takahashi pushes down on Harlamov's head and hops out.

Harlamov looking to score a takedown here. Takahashi is defending well but Harlamov drives through and ends up in Takahashi's guard.
Harlamov throws a big right hand that misses.
Takahashi has momentary wrist control but Harlamov slips an elbow through the middle.
Harlamov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takahashi can do to turn this around?
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harlamov.
Takahashi controls Harlamov momentarily but Harlamov frees himself.
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harlamov.
Harlamov scoring with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlamov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Harlamov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Takahashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Takahashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to keep a closed guard but Harlamov is proving a slippery customer.
Harlamov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Takahashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harlamov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Harlamov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harlamov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Harlamov wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.
Harlamov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Harlamov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Takahashi defends well and Harlamov ends up having to push Takahashi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Takahashi misses with a low kick.
Harlamov darts in looking for a takedown but Takahashi gets double underhooks and turns Harlamov into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garik Harlamov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Harlamov.
Takahashi is looking to chop away at Harlamov's legs.
Harlamov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takahashi swivels and escapes.
Harlamov dives in for a single leg takedown but Takahashi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Harlamov blocks a leg kick.
Harlamov fails with a takedown attempt.
Harlamov shoots in looking for a takedown. Takahashi tries to sprawl out of it but Harlamov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Takahashi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Takahashi lands with a nice combination. Harlamov backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Garik Harlamov has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Takahashi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Harlamov shoots for a double leg takedown but Takahashi sprawls well. He's pushed Harlamov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Takahashi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Takahashi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harlamov was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahashi.
Takahashi slaps away a takedown attempt from Harlamov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A leg kick checked by Harlamov.
Harlamov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Takahashi connects with an inside leg kick.
Harlamov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A leg kick checked by Harlamov.
Harlamov fails with a takedown attempt.
Ethelbart Takahashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Harlamov shoots in for a takedown but Takahashi shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a front kick aimed at Harlamov's knee but Harlamov avoids it well.
Harlamov darts in looking for a takedown but Takahashi gets double underhooks and turns Harlamov into the cage.
Takahashi flicks out a counter leg kick but Harlamov steps away.
Takahashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Harlamov. Harlamov gets slowly back to his feet.
Harlamov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
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!
Takahashi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takahashi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but Harlamov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takahashi tries a low kick but Harlamov avoids it.
Harlamov checks a low kick from Takahashi.
Takahashi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Takahashi misses with a low kick.

Harlamov gets a takedown into half guard.
Takahashi gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethelbart Takahashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Garik Harlamov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Takahashi there.
Takahashi is looking to slow Harlamov down with leg kicks.

Harlamov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Takahashi!

Harlamov is working to tighten his grip on Takahashi's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Takahashi has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Harlamov is really squeezing tight and eventually Takahashi passes out! Harlamov breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Garik Harlamov!
Our winner, Garik Harlamov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.