PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vernon Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Harrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Vernon Russell has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Russell
vs
Harrow

191 cm
20
212 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

200 cm
30
204 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vernon Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Harrow!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harrow scores with a kick to the body.
Russell lands with a good body shot.
Russell tries to clinch but Harrow is having none of it.
Russell swings away with a body shot that misses
and Harrow counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Russell darts in looking for a takedown but Harrow gets double underhooks and turns Russell into the cage.
Russell is looking to score with low kicks.
Nice takedown defense from Harrow. No joy for Russell on that attempt.
Harrow misses with a series of wild punches.
Harrow feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Russell's calf.
Russell tries for a takedown but Harrow circles away easily
and Russell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harrow tries to avoid it but Russell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harrow to the ground. Harrow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Russell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Harrow, pushing him back against the cage.
Russell looking for a takedown.

Harrow breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrow fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Russell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Harrow.
Harrow keeps the fight on the outside.
Harrow throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Russell misses with a head kick.
Harrow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harrow only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That kick from Harrow tenderised Russell's leg. Russell is trying to keep his angry face on.
Harrow buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Russell punishes Harrow's body with a nice straight punch.
A good leg kick by Harrow.
Harrow connects with a solid leg kick.
Russell tries to clinch but Harrow is having none of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Harrow.
Russell fails to land the takedown.
Harrow feints a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrow keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Harrow! But no joy.
Russell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
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!
Russell wants to clinch
and Harrow counters with a nice leg kick.
Russell is looking to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Russell.
Harrow lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
No luck for Russell with that takedown attempt.
Harrow flicks out a counter leg kick but Russell steps away.
Harrow stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harrow wants it to stay on the feet.
Harrow unleashes a big counter combination but Russell bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Harrow throws a nice inside leg kick.
Harrow throws a nice inside leg kick.
Russell tries to clinch there but Harrow circles away.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Russell dives in for a single leg takedown but Harrow sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Harrow avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harrow throws a leg kick but Russell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Russell swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Harrow feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Russell's calf.
Russell misses with a body kick.
Harrow throws a leg kick but Russell sees it coming and moves out of range.
Harrow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harrow is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Harrow lands a leg kick that knocks Russell off balance momentarily.
Russell doesn't manage to clinch there - Harrow circles away.
Russell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Harrow.
Harrow's jab looks to have found its range, popping Russell under the eye.
Harrow throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A slapping leg kick lands for Harrow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrow keeps Russell at a distance using the push kick.

Harrow gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Harrow obliges.
Harrow crunches a lovely knee into Russell's ribcage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harrow creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russell's defenses.

Harrow breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Richard Harrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russell is looking to clinch.

Harrow closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Harrow on the inside.
Russell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Harrow gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Russell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Harrow dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Russell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Harrow manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Russell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harrow. Harrow obviously looking to wear him down.
Harrow tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Harrow throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Russell.
Harrow stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harrow wants it to stay on the feet.
Harrow lands a nice leg kick that just misses Russell's sensitive parts.
Russell closes the distance looking to clinch
and Harrow counters with a good low kick that Russell was not able to check.
Harrow circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Harrow. That's going to slow Russell down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harrow fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Russell checks it well.
Russell feinted with a counter takedown.
Harrow throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Russell is defended easily by Harrow.
Harrow only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Russell is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrow connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Harrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Russell closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Harrow throws a front kick aimed at Russell's knee but Russell avoids it well.
Russell chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harrow can pounce on him.

Harrow closes the distance and clinches.

Harrow pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Harrow misses with a right hand
and Russell counters with a right hand to the body.
Harrow pushes Russell away with a front kick.
Russell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Harrow throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Russell tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Russell throws a head kick that misses.
Russell shoots for a takedown but Harrow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.
Russell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slapping leg kick lands for Harrow.
Richard Harrow seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Harrow connects with a solid leg kick.
Harrow throws a solid leg kick but Russell takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Harrow.
Russell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Harrow counters by clinching up.
Harrow creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russell's defenses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Harrow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Russell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russell.
Russell throws a body kick that misses
and Harrow counters with a two punch combo.
A jab from Harrow does it's job there.
Nice sprawl there from Harrow as Russell shoots in.
A solid leg kick lands there for Harrow.
Russell takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Harrow throws a leg kick which misses Russell's front leg but catches the back leg as Russell tries to avoid it.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Harrow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Russell.
Russell throws a right hand that Harrow ducks under and follows up with a left that Harrow also avoids with ease.
Harrow throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Harrow looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Harrow as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harrow closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harrow landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Harrow scores a nice knee to the body.
Harrow has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Harrow tries to throw a body punch but Russell avoids it by throwing Harrow back against the cage.

Harrow breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown. Harrow tries to sprawl out of it but Russell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Harrow manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Harrow thumps Russell with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Harrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Harrow throws a leg kick which misses Russell's front leg but catches the back leg as Russell tries to avoid it.
Russell tries for a takedown but Harrow sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Harrow lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Harrow lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Harrow.
Harrow scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Harrow thumps Russell with a low kick.
Vernon Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell checks the leg kick.
A quick step to the side and Russell tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Russell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A good leg kick by Harrow.
Russell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Harrow.
Russell is looking to wear down Harrow with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Harrow throws a half hearted mid kick.
A low kick from Harrow misses
and Russell counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Richard Harrow has been cut.
Russell moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell is looking to clinch.
Russell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Harrow swivels and escapes.
Harrow lands a leg kick that knocks Russell off balance momentarily.
Harrow fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Harrow tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Russell is able to avoid easily.
Harrow blocks a head kick by Russell.
Russell takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Russell takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Russell checks the leg kick.
Russell misses with a few strikes there.
Russell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
Harrow moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Harrow connects with a solid leg kick.
Russell slips a jab and a cross from Harrow.
Russell was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrow lands a nice leg kick that just misses Russell's sensitive parts.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Russell. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Harrow moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell stalling in the clinch but Harrow improves position.
Harrow lands an elbow inside.

Harrow's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell shoots for a takedown but Harrow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Harrow lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Russell has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Russell and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Harrow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harrow goes for a double leg but Russell avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Russell continues to drive forward.
Russell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Russell avoids a kick to the body.
Russell lands with an uppercut that bounces Harrow off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russell.
A leg kick checked by Russell.
A bone on bone clash there as Russell blocks the leg kick.
Russell wants to clinch up but Harrow keeps it at a distance.
Harrow tries to work over Russell's front leg with a kick but Russell checks it.
Russell throws a right hand that Harrow ducks under and follows up with a left that Harrow also avoids with ease.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Harrow, right into the meat.
Good leg kick by Harrow there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Russell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Harrow circles away from the clinch attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Harrow.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Russell is defended easily by Harrow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrow delivers a nice body kick.
Russell tries to clinch up.
Harrow throws a leg kick but Russell checks it.
Russell wants to clinch up but Harrow keeps it at a distance.
Russell takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Harrow thows a body kick. Russell tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Harrow tried to score with a low kick but Russell checks it.
Russell seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Russell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harrow tries to avoid it but Russell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harrow to the ground. Harrow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Harrow throws a big shot that misses.
Vernon Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Richard Harrow is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Harrow throws a leg kick which misses Russell's front leg but catches the back leg as Russell tries to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Harrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Harrow 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Harrow!