PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Harden (ranked 7359 p4p, 647 weight class) and Zedidiah Goldberg (ranked 6814 p4p, 631 weight class). Harden comes to the cage accompanied by "Enter Sandman" - Metallica. The crowd seem to be enjoying Goldberg's choice of entrance music: A Warrior's Call. 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.

Harden
vs
Goldberg

185 cm
18
192 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Evil Empire Nutrition - 160Q $150
Knockdown Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Harden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zedidiah Goldberg!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harden has closed the distance and engaged Goldberg in a clinch.
Harden misses with a knee to the head.
Harden landing knees to the head.
Goldberg takes a knee right on the jaw!
Our sources have told us that Harden has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
A short left from Goldberg.

It looks like James Harden has been cut.
Harden throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Harden with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Goldberg managing to block the knees to the body from Harden.
Harden managing to block the knees to the body from Goldberg.
Harden connects with a knee to the head.
Harden misses with an elbow strike.
Goldberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Goldberg avoids the elbow strike from Harden, against the cage.
Harden with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harden tries to land knees in the clinch but Goldberg avoids the damage to the body.
Goldberg wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Goldberg misses with an elbow strike.
Harden tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Goldberg blocks an elbow strike.
Goldberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Goldberg throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Goldberg lands a right hand.
Harden is breathing heavily.
Harden missing with knees to the body.
Goldberg working aggressively here.
Harden prevents a body shot from Goldberg.
Goldberg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Harden with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Harden lands a damaging elbow.
Goldberg avoiding damage as Harden throws knees to the body.
Goldberg blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Goldberg's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good body shot from Goldberg.
Goldberg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Goldberg scores with a hook to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Goldberg's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Goldberg can't break the clinch.
Goldberg struggles to land a body shot inside as Harden controls his hands.

Goldberg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harden gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harden fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harden tries to clinch there but Goldberg circles away.
Goldberg looks to land a body kick but Harden moved away.

Goldberg drops Harden with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Harden looks back up at him and smiles so Goldberg waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Harden is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goldberg lands a big right hook! Harden looks hurt but is still standing! Goldberg lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Harden falls down and Goldberg dives in with a huge hammer fist! Harden's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Goldberg runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Zedidiah Goldberg!
Zedidiah Goldberg really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Knockdown Clothes logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.
The defeated James Harden had this to say: 'Back to the drawing board for me folks, this is just a bump in the road. I'll be back better than before soon!'.