PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yi Ruogang (ranked 1576 p4p, 192 weight class) and James Harden (ranked 2083 p4p, 248 weight class). James Harden will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ruogang
vs
Harden

155 cm
22
163 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yi Ruogang!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Harden!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Lou da Vinci and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harden scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ruogang uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harden.
Harden tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ruogang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ruogang takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

It looks like Yi Ruogang has been cut.
A punch combination from Harden misses.
As Harden tries to get set, Ruogang tries to push him back and clinch up but Harden manages to avoid the attempt.
Ruogang blocks a jab.
Ruogang tries to counter by clinching up but Harden breaks away and moves out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Ruogang has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Harden ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Harden misses with a wild body shot.
Ruogang tries to counter by clinching up but Harden breaks away and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harden tries to work over Ruogang's front leg with a kick but Ruogang checks it.
Ruogang is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Harden.
Harden scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ruogang takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harden throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ruogang tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Harden manages to circle out of the way.
Ruogang on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harden. Harden obviously looking to wear him down.
Harden cracks Ruogang with a right hand to the side of the head.
Harden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Harden misses with a body shot.
Donk. Harden catches Ruogang right on the button with a cross.

Harden closes the distance and clinches.
Ruogang stalling in the clinch but Harden improves position.
Ruogang taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Harden is trying to stall.
Harden lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harden digs a right hand underneath Ruogang's ribcage. Ruogang let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ruogang just leaning against Harden, taking a breather.
Ruogang is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Harden is defending well.
Harden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ruogang backwards.
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!
Harden lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ruogang backwards.
Harden lands with a light punch inside.
Harden content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Ruogang has clasped his hands together around Harden's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Harden bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Harden has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Harden works Ruogang's body with a nice hook.
Harden misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Ruogang counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Ruogang advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruogang postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Harden is trying to get back to half guard.
Harden is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ruogang is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Ruogang looking to finish with strikes here!
Harden gets back to half guard.
Ruogang is pressing down on Harden's thigh, looking to free his foot. Harden is holding on for now.
Harden has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ruogang is working away from the top position though.
Ruogang is looking to advance position but Harden won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruogang is looking to take a break and control but Harden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ruogang is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Harden is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Harden is looking for a sweep. Ruogang is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruogang wants to free his trapped foot but Harden is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ruogang stalling away here and it's allowed Harden to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ruogang trying to control but Harden is working from the bottom.
Ruogang is working Harden over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ruogang passes Harden's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Harden dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yi Ruogang's cut.
That's time! Ruogang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruogang is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Harden.
Harden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruogang manages to avoid it.
Ruogang feinted with a counter takedown.

Harden instigates a clinch.
Ruogang slows down the pace here.
Ruogang wants a takedown.
Harden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Harden.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Harden fails to land.
Harden lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ruogang backwards.
Ruogang controlling the action here for a moment.
Harden is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James Harden seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Harden lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ruogang backwards.
Harden misses with a hook from the clinch.
Harden has a couple of punches blocked by Ruogang.
Harden pressing his opponent against the cage.
Harden stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Harden on the inside.
Harden lands an uppercut.
Harden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ruogang backwards.
Harden trying to stall but Ruogang improves his position.
Ruogang looking to stall.
Harden tries to work over Ruogang's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Harden leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harden manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ruogang stalling the fight.
Harden lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ruogang or not.
Harden struggles to land a body shot inside as Ruogang controls his hands.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Harden as Ruogang tries to tie him up.
Ruogang is trying to stall.
Harden lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Harden.
Ruogang leaning against his opponent.
Harden trying to control the position but instead, Ruogang has worked for underhooks and has pushed Harden into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruogang tries for a takedown but Harden manages to get underhooks.
Ruogang is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Harden is keeping busy.
Harden tries to throw a body punch but Ruogang avoids it by throwing Harden back against the cage.
Harden pushes Ruogang back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Harden scores with a nice hook to the head.
Harden trying to control the position but instead, Ruogang has worked for underhooks and has pushed Harden into the cage.
Harden throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ruogangs head.
Ruogang is trying to maintain a safe position but Harden gets an underhook and turns Ruogang into the cage.
Harden scores with a nice hook to the head.
Harden lands a left hand.
Harden looking to stall.
Harden has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harden lands a left hand.
A bit of stalling here from Ruogang.
Ruogang stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Harden lands a left hand.
Harden makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Harden lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruogang wants to take the fight to the mat but Harden manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yi Ruogang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruogang wants to stall.
Ruogang is trying to maintain a safe position but Harden gets an underhook and turns Ruogang into the cage.
Maybe Ruogang would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yi Ruogang.
Harden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruogang.
Ruogang changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Harden throws out a loose jab but Ruogang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harden is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Harden throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Harden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Yi Ruogang's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ruogang gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Harden.
Harden has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Ruogang is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Harden gets a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Harden scores with a nice short uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Ruogang has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Harden is trying to keep an underhook but Ruogang manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Harden manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruogang avoids the body shot from Harden.
Harden throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ruogang stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ruogang looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harden tries a body shot but Ruogang blocks it.
Ruogang wants to stall.
Harden softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ruogang has Harden pushed against the cage.
Harden makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harden.
Harden lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ruogang is trying to maintain a safe position but Harden gets an underhook and turns Ruogang into the cage.
Harden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Harden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ruogang's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ruogang takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Harden.
Ruogang looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yi Ruogang.
Harden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruogang manages to avoid it.
Ruogang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ruogang wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ruogang takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Harden lands a big right hand that sends Ruogang crashing to the mat! Harden stays standing though and waves Ruogang back to his feet!

Ruogang is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harden lands with a shot to the body.
Oh Ruogang is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Harden ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Harden has managed to clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harden.
Harden holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The referee calls for Harden to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruogang takes a shot to the head.
Harden lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Ruogang to his knees! Harden keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Harden!
James Harden is the new welterweight champion!