PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Willian French (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Harris has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Willian French's chin.

French
vs
Harris

164 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

200 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Willian French!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Harris!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
French tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Harris forces French back against the cage and clinches.
French is trying to pull guard but Harris has him pressed against the cage.
French tries for a takedown but Harris manages to get underhooks.

French has Harris pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. French pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Harris tumbling to the mat - French dives into Harris's guard.
French working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Harris working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. French doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. French manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
French really is a fat lump.
Harris has a closed guard, preventing French from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
French trying to control the position from guard on top but Harris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Harris has his foot on French's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. French works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

French 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 French has Harris in his guard.

French is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
French tries to land a sweep but no joy.
French lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

French trying to control but Harris is working from the bottom.
French tries to stand but Harris is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
French throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
French stopping the sweep attempt from Harris.
French wants to stand but Harris has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
French throws a big elbow that misses.
French trying to control but Harris is working from the bottom.
French sitting in guard, not really doing much.
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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
French lands a couple of elbows.
French has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Harris is proving hard to escape from.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as French accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Harris uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Harris moves into the clinch.

Harris has picked French up - he's going for a ride! Harris dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Harris is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Harris is looking to advance position but French won't allow it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French trying to hold on to Harris's head to control him but Harris postures up.
Harris prevents French from improving his position.
French regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Harris.
Harris controlling from the top position.
French is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
French wants to stand up but Harris has a hold of him and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Harris will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Harris moves into range and clinches up with French.

Harris breaks from the clinch.
Willian French is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

French drives through with a takedown into guard.
Harris keeping full guard, as French tries to pass.
Harris wants to get back to his feet but French is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Willian French overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
French keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Harris's head.
French wanted to stand there but Harris had control of the position.
French being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harris's guard.
French works over Harris with some ground and pound from guard.
French won't allow Harris to get back to his feet.
French postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Harris throws his legs up looking for a submission but French uses it to pass to side control.
French cracks Harris with a big elbow.
French wants to stand but Harris is controlling his arm.
You can see the frustration on Harris's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
French working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris is being controlled here.
French 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.
French tries to score with some ground and pound. Harris controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Harris is trying to improve his position.

French decides to stand back up.
Harris misses with a few strikes there.
Harris is breathing heavily.

Harris moves into the clinch.

Harris turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
What's French going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
French is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Harris's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
French trying to hold on to Harris's head to control him but Harris postures up.
Harris is stalling here. French is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Harris seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and French has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Harris throws French to one side and escapes!
Matt Harris seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
French tries to close the distance and clinch but Harris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harris thows a body kick. French tries to catch it but that hurt him.

French gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Harris to score an easy takedown into full guard.
French trying to keep a closed guard but Harris is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
French is trying to keep Harris in close.
French trying to control the position here.
French bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harris's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Harris will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! French's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Harris with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

French gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
French is controlling Harris's posture.
French might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
French looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harris must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harris trying to control the position from guard on top but French is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
French is controlling Harris's posture.
French wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. French is keeping the position for now.
French looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harris is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
French moves in looking to clinch but Harris pushes him off.

Harris rushes French and presses him up against the cage.
Harris avoiding damage.

Harris decides to pull guard.
Harris is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

French is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
French trying to control from the bottom.
French wants to improve his position but Harris is controlling well.
French is working hard here to advance position.
French is trying to control but can't.

Harris is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed French to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
French throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris preventing the sweep.
French looking to control.
Harris wants to control from the top but French keeps moving.
French is trying to control the position from the bottom.
French looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
French has Harris pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
French tries to clinch there but Harris circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Harris closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming French to the mat! French manages to get full guard.
Harris takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
French is trying to control the position but Harris postures up.
French tries to land a sweep but no joy.
French keeping full guard, as Harris tries to pass.
French controls Harris momentarily but Harris frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harris wanted to stand there but French had control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Harris comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Harris!