PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ben Harper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George StClaire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harper comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome To Jamrock. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Harper
vs
StClaire

175 cm
21
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
164 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Convicted Trap House
Rastafarii Clothing

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Harper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George StClaire!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harper moves in looking to clinch but StClaire pushes him off.
Harper is looking to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from StClaire.
Harper with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Harper connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Harper waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract StClaire.
StClaire tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

StClaire darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

StClaire looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Harper tries to roll over but StClaire keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

StClaire is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Harper has managed to free his arm - good work.

StClaire is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
StClaire looks gassed!
Harper tries to get to full guard but StClaire has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
StClaire working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Harper's thigh. Harper counters though and makes it back to full guard.

StClaire postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Harper is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of StClaire, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Harper would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

StClaire is looking for a triangle but Harper pushes his legs off easily.
Harper has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of StClaire is proving hard to escape from.
Harper wants to pass the guard but StClaire is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

StClaire is looking for a triangle but Harper pushes his legs off easily.
Harper trying to stand up but can't free himself from StClaire's guard.

StClaire has an active guard here but Harper has managed to pass into half guard.

Harper gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Harper throws a big shot that misses.
Harper slaps away a takedown attempt from StClaire, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClaire tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Harper scores with a leg kick.
Harper throws a quick inside leg kick.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good leg kick by Harper there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Harper, right into the meat.
StClaire on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harper. Harper obviously looking to wear him down.
Harper fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt StClaire.
Harper lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
StClaire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harper circles away.
Ben Harper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George StClaire.

Harper moves into the clinch.

Harper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Harper tries to clinch there but StClaire circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Harper clinches with his opponent.
Knees to the body from Harper.
Harper lands a good knee to the midsection. StClaire won't want to take too many of those.
Harper lands a nice knee to the body.
Harper will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning StClaire up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Harper dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Harper throws a head kick that half lands.
Harper throws a nice outside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Harper.
StClaire steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Harper. That one must have hurt.
Harper feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to StClaire's calf.
Harper lands a nice leg kick that just misses StClaire's sensitive parts.
StClaire chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harper can pounce on him.
Harper lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harper lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Harper. That's going to slow StClaire down.
StClaire chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harper can pounce on him.
Harper cracks the inside of StClaire's front leg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Harper rushes StClaire and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Harper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
StClaire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harper circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on StClaire. That did some damage!
Harper lands a front kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Harper.
Harper scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Harper throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Harper lands a front kick.
Harper is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that StClaire can do to turn this around?
Harper connects with a solid leg kick.
Harper swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

StClaire shoots in and bounces Harper off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

StClaire is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Harper is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Harper has escaped and now he's on top!

StClaire is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Harper is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harper stands up from StClaire's guard - Harper perhaps looking for a knockout.
Harper throws a head kick that half lands.
StClaire has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Harper.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harper missing with a left hand there. StClaire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Harper has StClaire up against the cage in a clinch.
StClaire tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
StClaire's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Harper crunches a lovely knee into StClaire's ribcage.
Harper content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Harper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
StClaire shoots in but Harper avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ben Harper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George StClaire.
StClaire shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harper sprawls well. Harper wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. StClaire gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harper gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
StClaire is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Harper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Harper working StClaire over with knees to the body.
Harper with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Harper to work.

Harper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Harper, right into the meat.
Harper throws a head kick that half lands.
Harper throws a jab when StClaire was well out of range.
Harper is looking to score with low kicks.
Harper scores with a leg kick.
Harper shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
StClaire misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClaire fails with a takedown attempt.
Harper connects with a solid leg kick.
A good leg kick by Harper.
Crunch! Harper slams his shin into StClaire's torso.
Harper dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on StClaire. That did some damage!

Harper moves into the clinch successfully.
StClaire takes a knee to the side of the body.
Harper lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A knee to the head by Harper.
Harper with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
StClaire has Harper pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Harper manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
StClaire goes for a takedown in the clinch but Harper prevents it.
Harper putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has StClaire in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Harper obliges.
Harper connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Harper dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

StClaire blocks a head kick by Harper.
Harper stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harper wants it to stay on the feet.
Harper leaves StClaire with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Harper rushes StClaire and presses him up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Harper.
Harper using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Harper utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Harper lands a knee to the head.
Harper connects with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Harper.
StClaire has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Harper avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ben Harper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George StClaire.
Harper unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Harper putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has StClaire in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Harper unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Harper using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Harper breaks from the clinch.
Harper stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harper wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harper buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
StClaire has a takedown stuffed.
Harper connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Harper scoring well with a low kick there.
Harper is looking to slow StClaire down with leg kicks.

Harper gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Harper lands a nice knee to the body.
Harper prevents a takedown attempt there.
Harper lands a nice knee to the body.
Harper dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
StClaire is trying to drag Harper to the mat but Harper just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Harper scores a nice knee to the body.
Harper landing knees to the body.
StClaire jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Harper walks away with a smile on his face. StClaire gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Harper.

Harper instigates a clinch.
A knee to the head by Harper.
Harper stalls.
StClaire tries for a takedown. No joy.
Harper lands a body punch in the clinch.
Harper lands a good knee to the midsection. StClaire won't want to take too many of those.
Harper slowing the pace effectively.

Harper escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harper misses with a body kick.
Harper stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harper wants it to stay on the feet.
StClaire blocks a head kick by Harper.

StClaire shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
StClaire trying to control but Harper is having none of it.
Harper is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ben Harper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

StClaire has control of Harper's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Harper regains control of the situation pretty easily.

StClaire looking for a guillotine from mount but Harper is having none of it.
George StClaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

StClaire is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Harper has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Harper!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Harper showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Harper decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Harper lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
StClaire fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Harper showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Harper, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Harper!