PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Garik Harlamov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Butch Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Harlamov
vs
Larson

206 cm
46
275 lbs
44 - 32 - 1

187 cm
33
234 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 44 - 32 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Garik Harlamov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Butch Larson!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harlamov with a poor takedown
and Larson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Larson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Larson misses with the combination.
Harlamov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Harlamov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Garik Harlamov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harlamov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Larson.
Larson stuffs the takedown.
Larson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Larson throws a big shot that misses.
Jab by Larson.

It looks like Garik Harlamov has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlamov shoots in but no luck this time.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Larson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garik Harlamov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harlamov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harlamov shoots in for a double leg but Larson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Harlamov is breathing heavily.
Larson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Larson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harlamov manages to avoid it.
Harlamov tries to counter with a takedown but Larson is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Harlamov dives in for a single leg takedown but Larson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Larson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Larson taking a breather.
Harlamov can't get the takedown.
Larson taking a breather.

Harlamov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harlamov's guard.
Larson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Larson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harlamov's guard.
Larson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Harlamov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Larson has passed into half guard!
Larson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Larson wants to stand up but Harlamov is controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Larson throws a series of punches but Harlamov moves out of range.
Harlamov fails to land the takedown.
Larson misses with a few strikes there.
Harlamov feinted with a counter takedown.
Larson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Harlamov avoids the body shot from Larson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larson throws an overhand right that lands on Harlamov's shoulder, as Harlamov tries to avoid the shot.
Harlamov darts in looking for a takedown but Larson gets double underhooks and turns Harlamov into the cage.
Harlamov closes the distance and clinches up with Larson, looking for a takedown. Harlamov pushes Larson against the cage but Larson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Harlamov with that takedown attempt.
Harlamov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Larson swivels and escapes.
Harlamov blocks a jab.
Harlamov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Larson sprawls and moves away.
Larson misses with a series of wild punches.
Harlamov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Larson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Larson misses with a punch to the body.
Larson throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Butch Larson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Garik Harlamov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Larson misses with a straight right.
Harlamov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Larson sprawls and moves away.
Butch Larson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larson looks to score with a jab to the body but Harlamov is just out of range.
Larson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Harlamov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Larson but Larson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Harlamov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Larson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Larson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlamov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Larson tries to avoid it but Harlamov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Larson to the ground. Larson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Harlamov slips a straight right by Larson.
Harlamov shoots in and drives through. Larson sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garik Harlamov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harlamov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson throws a right and a left that Harlamov avoids nicely.
Harlamov tries for a takedown but Larson circles away easily
and Larson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Larson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Larson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harlamov.
Larson throws a series of punches but Harlamov moves out of range.
Harlamov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Larson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Larson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Larson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Larson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harlamov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Larson sprawls and moves away.
Larson throws a right and a left that Harlamov avoids nicely.
Larson misses with a series of wild punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Larson clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larson slowing the pace effectively.
Larson misses with the head strike.
Harlamov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Larson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harlamov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Larson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harlamov misses with a takedown attempt
and Larson counters with a left to the body.
Larson looks to land a left hand but Harlamov moved out of range nicely.
Larson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harlamov manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson misses with a series of wild punches.
Harlamov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Larson throws a jab when Harlamov was well out of range.
Harlamov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Butch Larson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Larson sizes up Harlamov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Garik Harlamov's cut is getting worse.

Harlamov ducks straight into an uppercut from Larson and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Harlamov manages to regain guard straight away.

Harlamov is rocked!
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!
Larson wants to stand but Harlamov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Oh Harlamov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Harlamov seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Larson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Larson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Larson misses with a double jab.
Harlamov tries to counter with a takedown but Larson is quick to defend against it.
Larson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Larson throws a big shot that misses.
Harlamov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Larson avoids it really well and circles away.
Larson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harlamov.
Harlamov shoots in but Larson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Butch Larson 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.
That's time! Harlamov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Larson digs a good body shot into Harlamov's ribs.

Oooh a lovely combination from Larson sends Harlamov down but not out. Larson dives into side control looking to finish.

Larson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Harlamov to his feet.
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!
Larson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Larson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Larson throws a shot to the body.

Larson bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Harlamov! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Larson is looking to stand up but Harlamov won't let him.

Larson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larson lands a big right hook! Harlamov looks hurt but is still standing! Larson lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Harlamov falls down and Larson dives in with a huge hammer fist! Harlamov's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Larson runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Butch Larson!