PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alton Newcastle (ranked 518 p4p, 62 weight class) and Derek Harris (ranked 546 p4p, 67 weight class). Harris comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Not again - You all ready dropped? kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Newcastle
vs
Harris

170 cm
35
148 lbs
22 - 19 - 1

173 cm
28
153 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

FORCEE
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 22 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alton Newcastle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Derek Harris!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harris looks to throw the jab but Newcastle is out of range.
Newcastle misses with a left hand
and Harris counters with a body kick that stops Newcastle in his tracks momentarily.
Harris on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Newcastle throws an overhand right that lands on Harris's shoulder, as Harris tries to avoid the shot.
Newcastle connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Harris's hands.
Harris takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A slow jab from Newcastle misses its intended target.
Harris misses with a low kick as Newcastle jumps back.
An attempted straight right counter from Newcastle misses the target.
Harris stuffs the takedown.
Harris tries to counter by closing the distance.
Newcastle getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Newcastle misses with an uppercut
and Harris counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Newcastle thinking.
Newcastle on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Newcastle has been working on his balance at Tōshi, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Harris.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Newcastle throws an off balance right hand
and Harris counters with a slapping leg kick.
Harris pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Newcastle misses with a lunging right hand
and Harris counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Newcastle on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Newcastle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Derek Harris is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Newcastle misses.
Newcastle misses with a looping right.
Harris lands a leg kick that knocks Newcastle off balance momentarily.
Harris feints and then cracks Newcastle's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Newcastle down.
Harris is looking to slow Newcastle down with leg kicks.
Newcastle throws a right and a left that both miss.
Harris throws a shot from downtown. Newcastle moves away and avoids it.
Newcastle lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Newcastle misses with a body shot.
Newcastle lands a nice shot to the body.
Newcastle throws a body shot but no joy.
A swing and a miss from Newcastle.
Newcastle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harris.
Newcastle fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Newcastle throws a lazy right hand but Harris sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Newcastle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newcastle fails to land with a series of punches.
Newcastle throws out a loose jab but Harris uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harris scoring well with a low kick there.
Harris pivots, looking for a leg kick but Newcastle is out of range and Harris settles back down.
Newcastle tries to work over Harris's front leg with a kick but Harris checks it.
Newcastle swings for the body but Harris moves out of range.
Harris feints a counter leg kick.
Harris moves out of range of the strikes.
Newcastle misses with an uppercut
and Harris counters with a nice uppercut.
Newcastle scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Newcastle misses with a looping left.
The fighters circling - Harris throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A head kick misses from Harris.
Harris wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Newcastle's corner calls for a 1-2. Newcastle obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Harris's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Newcastle connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Harris scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle throws a shot from downtown. Harris moves away and avoids it.
Newcastle throws an off balance right hand
and Harris counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Newcastle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harris was well out of range. Poor timing from Newcastle.
Harris on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Newcastle lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Harris slips under a jab.
Newcastle misses with a right hand
and Harris counters with a nice low kick that buckles Newcastle's knee momentarily.
Newcastle throws a hook to the side of Harris's head but Harris sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Harris lands a leg kick that knocks Newcastle off balance momentarily.
Alton Newcastle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newcastle throws a hook but Harris blocks it.
It seemed like Harris was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Newcastle is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Harris fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Newcastle has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Newcastle throws an overhand right that lands on Harris's shoulder, as Harris tries to avoid the shot.
Newcastle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Newcastle keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newcastle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a left hand
enabling Harris to counter with a crisp jab.
Harris keeps Newcastle at a distance using the push kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Newcastle blocks the leg kick.
Newcastle throws a nice inside leg kick.
Newcastle tries to move into range but Harris moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Newcastle is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Harris buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Newcastle scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Newcastle throws a hook to the side of Harris's head but Harris sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Newcastle. Harris does a little dance to reset his feet.
Harris only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Newcastle misses with the combination.
Newcastle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harris can pounce on him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Harris misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Newcastle went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Newcastle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Harris only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alton Newcastle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Newcastle throws a leg kick but Harris sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alton Newcastle will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Newcastle takes a swing at Harris's ribcage but misses.
Newcastle looks to land a left hand but Harris moved out of range nicely.
Newcastle on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Newcastle lunges at Harris with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Harris's hand.
Newcastle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harris can pounce on him.
Newcastle throws a hook but Harris blocks it.
Nice defenses there by Harris.
Newcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Harris moves away.
Alton Newcastle is winning the standup battle so far.
Harris uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newcastle.
Newcastle misses with a low kick.
A big left from Newcastle misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harris blocks a jab.
A left lands for Newcastle.
Newcastle throws a lazy uppercut
and Harris counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Harris slips under a jab from Newcastle.
Harris lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Harris lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcastle throws an off balance right hand
and Harris counters with a nice leg kick.
Newcastle throws a sloppy body shot
and Harris counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Harris lands with an overhand left.
Harris slips a jab from Newcastle.
Newcastle changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Newcastle scores with a hook to the body. Harris takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Newcastle waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Harris.
Harris bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Harris uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Newcastle.
Harris moves out of range as Newcastle strikes.
Harris wants to counter with a clinch but Newcastle pushes him away.
Newcastle loads up on a big right hand but Harris slips the punch.
Harris lands a body shot.
Harris has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Harris looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Newcastle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Newcastle looks to throw the jab but Harris is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harris fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Newcastle has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Newcastle looks to land a right hand but Harris moved out of range.
Newcastle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newcastle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Harris lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The fighters circling - Newcastle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Newcastle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harris.
Newcastle misses with a hook. Harris ducked under it nicely.
Newcastle throws a big shot that misses.
Harris slips a straight right by Newcastle.
Harris was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Harris throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newcastle looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Harris lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Newcastle misses with a looping left.
Harris moves out of range as Newcastle strikes.

Newcastle closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Newcastle lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harris's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Newcastle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Harris is keeping the position for now.
Harris is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newcastle wants to pass the guard but Harris is keeping the position.
Harris is controlling Newcastle's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Harris trying to keep a closed guard but Newcastle is proving a slippery customer.
Newcastle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Newcastle controls the position from side control.
Newcastle advances to full mount.
Harris wants to hold on but Newcastle pushes him away.
Newcastle wants to take his opponent's back but Harris doesn't allow it.
Harris bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Harris controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alton Newcastle dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Newcastle drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Harris swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Harris dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Newcastle misses with an uppercut. Harris saw that one coming.
Harris tries to counter by closing the distance.
Harris defending well as Newcastle loads up on a big left hand.
Harris walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Harris ducks under a wild hook from Newcastle.
Harris pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Harris displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Newcastle throws out the jab.
Harris appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Newcastle crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Harris - the referee stops the clock and Newcastle gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Harris. Newcastle manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Newcastle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harris manages to avoid it.
Harris steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Newcastle.
Newcastle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A good leg kick by Harris.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcastle throws a hook to the side of Harris's head but Harris sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A cross from Newcastle lands.
Newcastle throws a hook but Harris avoids it easily.
Harris only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Newcastle is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Newcastle misses with a body shot.
Harris swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Newcastle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harris.
Newcastle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harris.
Newcastle steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Harris. That one must have hurt.
Newcastle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harris raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Harris with a hook.
Harris smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Harris slips under a jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Harris.
Harris lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harris works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a wild body shot.
Harris has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Newcastle finds it's way round the side to connect with Harris's head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Harris.
Newcastle throws a body shot but no joy.
Newcastle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Newcastle throws a right hand that misses

and Harris counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Harris lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Harris on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Newcastle.
Newcastle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Newcastle misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Harris.
A knee to the head by Harris.
Newcastle throws a punch but it's blocked by Harris.
Newcastle lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Newcastle with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harris swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Newcastle misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Newcastle fails to land.
Newcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Newcastle prevents a body shot from Harris.
Harris taking a breather.
Harris misses with a knee strike.
Newcastle scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Harris misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Newcastle.
Newcastle throws a punch but it's blocked by Harris.
Newcastle swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Derek Harris seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Harris lands a hook that snaps the head of Newcastle backwards.
Derek Harris has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harris lands a left hand that snaps the head of Newcastle backwards.
Harris gets underhooks to prevent Newcastle's takedown attempt.
Newcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Newcastle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Harris works on Newcastle's body with a couple of short punches.
Harris has Newcastle pushed against the cage.
Newcastle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Newcastle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good body shot from Harris.
Harris scores with a hook to the body.
Harris misses with a knee strike.
A bit of stalling here from Harris.
Newcastle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harris leaning his opponent against the cage.
Newcastle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Newcastle swings wildly with an uppercut but Harris uses good head movement to avoid it.
Newcastle lands a shoulder strike.
Alton Newcastle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Harris lands on the inside with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Harris comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Newcastle 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alton Newcastle!
Alton Newcastle seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.