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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harris Ukoje (ranked 4747 p4p, 4710 weight class) and Drake Harrington (ranked 566 p4p, 497 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.
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185 cm 25 210 0 - 0 - 0 |
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200 cm 25 220 0 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt Solid boxing Big heart |
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BJJ Purple Belt Brawler Tends to cut |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division. Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harris Ukoje! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Drake Harrington! The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Ukoje fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harrington on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those. Harrington takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
It looks like Drake Harrington has been cut. Harrington darts in and clinches Ukoje up against the cage. Harrington is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ukoje pulls him back up using the underhooks. Harrington breaks the clinch.
Oooooh!!! Ukoje has knocked Harrington down with a huge combo! Ukoje steps away and waves a wobbly Harrington back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Harrington is rocked! We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Ukoje fails in his attempt to clinch. And Harrington tries to counter it with a takedown but Ukoje pushes his down on his head and steps out. Ukoje connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there. Ukoje jabs Harrington to the body, keeping him at a distance. Harrington has managed to clinch.
Ukoje wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee. Ukoje looking to slow down the pace here. Ukoje prevents the takedown attempt.
Harrington jumps guard but Ukoje stands there with Harrington around his waist. Harrington gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Harris Ukoje has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Harrington.
That's one minute gone in the round. Harrington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ukoje's efforts to push away. Ukoje has had enough of the clinch but Harrington keeps him there for the moment. Ukoje lands a good knee to the midsection. Harrington won't want to take too many of those. Ukoje wants to break free but Harrington has control.
Harrington manages to break the clinch.
Ukoje tries to clinch up but Harrington circles away and keeps his distance. Ukoje clinches up with Harrington and pushes him back against the cage. Harrington can't get the takedown.
Harrington has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ukoje uses from the top position. Harrington is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage. Harrington keeping moving, preventing Ukoje from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Harrington is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ukoje wants to control from the top but Harrington keeps moving. Harrington trying to control the position here. Ukoje is looking to stand up but Harrington won't let him. Ukoje might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground. Ukoje connects with a couple of short punches. Harrington keeping moving, preventing Ukoje from controlling successfully. Harrington has Ukoje pulled in close to control his posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Harrington wants to sweep but no luck. Harrington trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage. Ukoje has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player. Ukoje prevents Harrington from getting back to his feet. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Ukoje being controlled here momentarily.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up. Harrington shoots in for a takedown but Ukoje shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet. Harrington has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ukoje. Ukoje throws a head kick that misses. Harrington shoots in but doesn't get the takedown and Ukoje counters with a leg kick. Ukoje throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Harrington doesn't succeed with the takedown and Ukoje counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Harrington tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ukoje defends well and Harrington ends up having to push Ukoje into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch. Harrington fails with the takedown and Ukoje counters with a nice leg kick. Harrington looks winded! Ukoje lands with a nice combination. Harrington backs away looking to recover.
That has opened up Drake Harrington's cut even more. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Ukoje scores with a leg kick.
Harrington closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage. Ukoje escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ukoje shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Harrington eats them both and turns towards Ukoje to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo. Ukoje throws a head kick but Harrington moves out of range.
Harrington wants to counter with a clinch but Ukoje pushes him away. Harrington takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket. Harrington is still on wobbly legs! Can Ukoje finish him? Harrington throws a head kick but Ukoje moves out of range.
Ukoje wants to clinch up but Harrington keeps it at a distance. Harrington seems to have recovered his senses. Harrington tries for a takedown but Ukoje circles away easily and Ukoje counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Harrington thinking. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Harris Ukoje dominated that round. The cut man is working on Drake Harrington's cut. That's time! Back to the action! Ukoje buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Ukoje. Beautiful body shot. Harrington has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him. Harrington fails with the takedown and Ukoje counters with a nice uppercut. Harrington tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Ukoje fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harrington shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it. Ukoje lands a high kick!
Ukoje throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Harrington stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly. Harrington moves into the clinch. This has been an exciting period of action! Ukoje wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee. Harrington is looking to break free of the clinch but Ukoje has double underhooks. Harrington pulls guard effortlessly. Ukoje knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Harrington on the ground.
That's one minute gone in the round. Ukoje trying to control the position from guard on top but Harrington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Ukoje won't allow Harrington to sweep him here. Ukoje wants to control from the top but Harrington keeps moving. Ukoje is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Harrington is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him. Harrington looking to sweep here. No luck so far. Harrington is controlling Ukoje's posture. Ukoje wants to stand but Harrington is controlling his posture from full guard. The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
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. Harrington is controlling Ukoje's posture.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet. A solid leg kick lands there for Ukoje.
Ukoje throws a one two combo.
Harrington circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harrington fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ukoje, pushing him back against the cage. Harrington pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat. Harrington forces Ukoje back against the cage and clinches. Ukoje prevents the takedown attempt.
Harris Ukoje has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Harrington. Ukoje can't break the clinch.
Ukoje lands a knee to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Harrington jumps into guard, dragging Ukoje to the mat.
Ukoje preventing the sweep. Harrington working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ukoje doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ukoje manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Harrington isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ukoje stacks Harrington on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ukoje! The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Ukoje wants to stand but Harrington has his arm trapped.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Ukoje wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harrington keeps working. Harrington prevents Ukoje from moving into mount. Harrington tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ukoje wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control. Ukoje wants to stand but Harrington is controlling his arm. Harrington tries to get back to half guard but can't. Ukoje tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily. Ukoje decides to stand back up. The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Harrington tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ukoje defends well and Harrington ends up having to push Ukoje into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch. A nice leg kick lands there from Ukoje. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Harris Ukoje dominated that second round. The cut man is working on Drake Harrington's cut. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round! Harrington moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. Ukoje cracks Harrington with an open hand slap. Harrington shoots and misses and Ukoje counters with a nice uppercut. Ukoje wants to clinch. Harrington is looking for the big counter here. Harrington gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily and Ukoje counters with a lovely straight right hand! Harris Ukoje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Harrington pushes Ukoje up against the cage in a clinch. Harrington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ukoje's efforts to push away. Harrington's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Ukoje breaks from the clinch.
Ukoje gets in close and instigates a clinch. Ukoje avoiding damage as Harrington throws knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round. Harrington turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Harrington manages to end up in side control. Harrington has knee on belly and moves into mount. Harrington prevents Ukoje from getting the reversal. Ukoje is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harrington can do to turn this around? Ukoje wants to get back to his feet.
Harrington throwing shots from mount but they're not landing. Ukoje tries to get back to half guard but can't. Harrington throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage. Ukoje is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Harrington controlling the position easily from mount. Harrington is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ukoje has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Harrington looking to ground and pound but Ukoje is blocking nicely. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! The referee warns Ukoje that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Harrington controlling his opponent. Ukoje blocking the ground and pound. Ukoje is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Harrington has taken his back.
Ukoje trying to get back to his feet but Harrington is in full control for now. Harrington slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
That's four minutes gone in the round. A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace. Harrington is continuing to stall. Harrington thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent. A bit of a pause in the action here. Harrington controlling the positon.
And that's the end of the fight! Drake Harrington comfortably won the final round on my scorecard. I think Ukoje 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28 Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28 Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harris Ukoje!
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
46% |
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