PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ahmad Harding (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Craven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Derek Craven has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ahmad Harding's chin.

Harding
vs
Craven

200 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
198 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ahmad Harding!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Derek Craven!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craven throws a right and a left that both miss.
Craven tries a head kick but it misses.
Harding blocks the body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Craven.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Harding enables Craven to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Harding manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Craven would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Harding trying to strike off his back.
Harding 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Harding is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.
Harding is looking to stand up but Craven isn't so interested in that idea.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Craven throws a low kick but Harding avoids it.
Sloppy strikes from Craven. Those never looked like landing.

That's two 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.

Craven shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harding's guard.
Craven really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Harding. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Craven is looking to stand up but Harding won't let him.
Craven looking to pass the guard.
Craven keeps trying to improve his position.
Harding wants to sweep here but Craven controlling him for the moment.
Craven wants to stand but Harding is controlling his posture from full guard.
Craven looking to pass the guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

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

Craven rushes Harding and presses him up against the cage.
Harding is trying to pull guard but Craven has him pressed against the cage.
Craven tries to break free but Harding pushes him back against the cage.

Craven decides to pull guard.
Craven avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Craven is trying to control the position but Harding postures up.
Harding slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding stopping the sweep attempt from Craven.
Craven looks winded!

Harding drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Craven dives on top into guard.

Harding wants to stand and escape but Craven is having none of it.
Craven would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Craven throws a big elbow that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harding throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Craven dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Craven moves into the clinch.
Craven is trying to break free.

Craven works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Craven wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.
Harding thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harding keeping moving, preventing Craven from controlling successfully.
Craven throws an elbow that misses. Harding uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Craven's guard. Nice move by Harding!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harding wants to control from the top but Craven keeps moving.
Harding's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Harding drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Harding jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Craven 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.
Harding loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Harding slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two 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.
Craven is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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

Craven has taken the fight to the clinch.
Craven misses with a hook to the ribs.
Harding lands a knee to the body.

Harding gets control of Craven's arms and successfully pulls guard. Harding will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Harding will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Craven trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Craven wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.

Harding is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Derek Craven has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.

Craven stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Craven looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Craven is breathing heavily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Craven is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding is looking to escape.
Craven is just content to waste time from the top position. Harding takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Craven prevents Harding from getting back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Craven got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harding has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Craven has managed to get both his arms back between Harding's legs - danger averted.

Harding has his feet on Craven's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
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 Ahmad Harding will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Craven closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Harding quickly recovers to half guard.

Craven decides to return to a standing position.
Harding blocks a leg kick.
Craven throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Harding.

Craven drives through and clinches with Harding against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Harding gets control of Craven's arms and successfully pulls guard. Harding will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Harding wants to improve his position but instead Craven has moved into half guard.

Harding manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Craven has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Craven has closed the distance and engaged Harding in a clinch.

Craven decides to pull guard.
Craven takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harding makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Craven has momentary wrist control but Harding slips an elbow through the middle.
Harding seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Harding postures up.
Harding is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Craven looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harding decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Craven scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Harding throws Craven to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Craven shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Harding flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Harding is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven blocks the strikes from Harding.
Harding is looking to escape.
Craven with the ground and pound but Harding uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Craven tries to free his leg and advance position but Harding is retaining full guard.

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

Craven looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Harding!
Craven avoids the strikes from the bottom by Harding.
You can see the frustration on Harding's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craven is looking to take a break and control but Harding is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Craven tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Craven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harding keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ahmad Harding.
I think Harding 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ahmad Harding!