PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Harmon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nithion Leafshard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Harmon has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Harmon
vs
Leafshard

207 cm
19
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Harmon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nithion Leafshard!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leafshard scores with a takedown into Harmon's guard.
Harmon wants to stand but Leafshard is controlling the position.
Harmon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Harmon is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Leafshard is controlling him.
Harmon will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Leafshard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Harmon is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leafshard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Leafshard preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leafshard prevents Harmon from getting back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Leafshard looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leafshard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Harmon has managed to free his arm - good work.

Leafshard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Harmon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Harmon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Harmon wants to improve his position but Leafshard is controlling well.
Leafshard frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Harmon wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Harmon defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Leafshard.
Harmon is desperately trying to improve his position but Leafshard has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harmon wants to control but Leafshard is having none of it.
Leafshard seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Harmon is holding on tight.
Harmon working to try and regain half guard.

Leafshard is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Harmon can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Harmon is wriggling around trying to escape.
Harmon is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Leafshard with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Leafshard looks winded!
Leafshard looking to control but Harmon is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harmon is wriggling around trying to escape.

Leafshard is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Harmon has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Harmon can't escape the position.

Leafshard is working for a guillotine from mount but Harmon frees his head quite easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harmon tries to reverse the position but Leafshard maintains control.
Harmon is controlling an arm, preventing Leafshard from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Harmon is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leafshard has hold of Harmon's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harmon manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Harmon keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Harmon defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Leafshard.
Harmon has given up his back here.
Harmon wants to control his opponent's hands but Leafshard gets his hands free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Leafshard tightening his grip on Harmon, looking for the choke.
Leafshard tries to keep control of the position but Harmon is staying busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nithion Leafshard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Harmon swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Leafshard gets a double leg takedown into Harmon's guard.
Leafshard tries to free his leg and advance position but Harmon is retaining full guard.
Harmon keeping moving, preventing Leafshard from controlling successfully.
Harmon wants to stand and escape but Leafshard is having none of it.
Harmon trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harmon trying to keep a closed guard but Leafshard is proving a slippery customer.
Leafshard won't allow Harmon to sweep him here.

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

Leafshard gets caught flat footed, as Harmon shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leafshard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harmon defends well.

Leafshard looking for a guillotine here but Harmon defends easily.
Leafshard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Harmon stays in close to Leafshard's body and controls the position.

That's two 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.
Leafshard is trying to control the position but Harmon postures up.

Leafshard is looking for a triangle but Harmon pushes his legs off easily.
Harmon trying to stand up but can't free himself from Leafshard's guard.
Harmon controlling from the top position.

Leafshard is looking for a triangle but Harmon pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harmon stays in close to Leafshard's body and controls the position.
Harmon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Leafshard working for submissions but it's allowed Harmon to get to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Harmon in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Leafshard wants to control but Harmon is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Harmon shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Harmon was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Harmon dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Harmon looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Leafshard!
Leafshard is trying to control Harmon's posture but Harmon avoids it.
Harmon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Leafshard on the ground.
Harmon is chipping away with strikes.
Harmon is looking to take a break and control but Leafshard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Harmon stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leafshard shoots in and gets a takedown into Harmon's guard.
Leafshard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leafshard trying to control but Harmon is working from the bottom.
Harmon wants to sweep here but Leafshard controlling him for the moment.
Leafshard trying to control the position from guard on top but Harmon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harmon looking for a sweep. Not yet Harmon, not yet.
Leafshard trying to control the position from guard on top but Harmon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Harmon has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Leafshard off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harmon throws an elbow but Leafshard slips to the side and avoids it well.
Harmon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leafshard keeps working.
Leafshard is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harmon wants to stand but Leafshard is controlling his arm.

Harmon stands up and beckons Leafshard to his feet.

Leafshard shoots in and gets a takedown into Harmon's guard.
Harmon is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Leafshard is controlling him.
Harmon keeping moving, preventing Leafshard from controlling successfully.
Leafshard stops Harmon from standing up.

Harmon pushes Leafshard off and scrambles back to his feet.

Harmon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harmon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Leafshard lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Leafshard wants to control from the top but Harmon keeps moving.
Harmon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Harmon keeping full guard, as Leafshard tries to pass.
Nithion Leafshard has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harmon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Harmon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Harmon has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28

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