PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Harris (ranked 24021 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathaniel Dempsey (ranked 6812 p4p, 0 weight class). Nathaniel Dempsey has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Harris
vs
Dempsey

175 cm
23
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nathaniel Dempsey!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harris defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dempsey.
Harris throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dempsey's waist but Dempsey gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harris off to one side.

Harris gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Harris is trying to trip Dempsey. He has hold of a leg but Dempsey is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Harris persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harris throws a strike but Dempsey rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Dempsey slips nicely into half guard.
Harris wants to control but Dempsey is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dempsey is trying to control. Harris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dempsey not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey prevents Harris from improving his position.
Dempsey wants to take a breather but Harris is having none of it.
Harris is trying to control but can't.

Harris actively working from the bottom here.
Harris missing with punches from the bottom.
Harris definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Dempsey is looking to take a break and control but Harris is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dempsey is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Harris flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Dempsey is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dempsey tries to clinch there but Harris circles away.
Harris half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Harris shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Harris was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
You can see the frustration on Dempsey's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dempsey tries to improve position but can't.
Harris in side control, throwing shots but Dempsey defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris scoring with punches from side control.
Harris slows the pace down.
Dempsey can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harris working the head with strikes.
Dempsey tries to improve position but can't.
Dempsey manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Harris wants to get back to full guard.
Dempsey missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dempsey prevents Harris from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey is keen to just control but Harris is a slippery customer.
Harris wants to control but Dempsey is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dempsey is trying to control. Harris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dempsey wants to pass the guard but Harris is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harris works his way to full guard. Good work.
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 Marcus Harris will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dempsey moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Dempsey dives in for a single leg takedown but Harris sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Harris stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harris wants it to stay on the feet.

Harris closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dempsey to the mat! Dempsey manages to get full guard.
Harris cracks Dempsey with a solid left hand.
Harris 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.

Harris is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dempsey throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Harris escapes and throws Dempsey's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Harris is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dempsey knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dempsey is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dempsey striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Harris cracks Dempsey with a big right hand but Dempsey just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Dempsey takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Harris works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Dempsey tries to improve position but can't.
Harris tries to move to mount but Dempsey blocks the move with his legs.
Harris controls the position from side control.
Dempsey can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris trying to control the action but Dempsey is working from the bottom.
Harris controlling the position from side mount.

Harris working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Harris is working to tighten his grip on Dempsey's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Dempsey has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Harris is really squeezing tight and eventually Dempsey passes out! Harris breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Marcus Harris!
An out of breath Marcus Harris thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.