PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harald Harfager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebaastian Struve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harfager's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Amon Amarth - Pursuit of Vikings. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Harfager
vs
Struve

188 cm
27
180 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

179 cm
22
183 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Great low kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harald Harfager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sebaastian Struve!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Struve takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Struve lands a nice leg kick that just misses Harfager's sensitive parts.
Struve pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Struve misses with a wild body shot.
Struve swats away the attempt to clinch by Harfager.
Harfager tries to clinch but Struve is having none of it.
A low kick from Harfager misses

and Struve counters with a shoot takedown. Harfager fights it but they end up in guard.
Harfager on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Harfager tries to get out of the position.
Struve stays in close to Harfager's body and controls the position.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but Harfager is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Struve pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Harfager is keeping the position for now.
Harfager knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Struve on the ground.
Struve looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harfager looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Struve accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Harfager is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Struve bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Harfager's head backwards.
Harfager tries to clinch but Struve moves out of range.
Struve turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Struve shoots in and drives through. Harfager sprawls well.
Struve keeps the fight on the outside.
Struve circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harfager tries to clinch but Struve moves away
and Struve counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Harfager closes the distance but Struve moves to the side

so Struve counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harfager preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Struve wants to pass the guard but Harfager is keeping the position.
Struve postures up in Harfager's guard and throws a big left but Harfager blocks it.
Struve in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but Harfager is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harfager avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Struve preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Struve lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Harfager doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Struve shoots in for a double leg but Harfager sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harfager tries to close the distance and clinch but Struve swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harfager fails with an attempt to clinch.
Struve takes a swing at Harfager's ribcage but misses.
Harfager throws a leg kick

and Struve counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Harfager's guard now.
Struve stopping the sweep attempt from Harfager.
Harfager is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Struve trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Struve is looking to work some ground and pound but Harfager has wrist control.
Struve is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Struve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struve trying to control but Harfager is working from the bottom.
Struve looking to pass the guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harfager tries to clinch but Struve moves away
and Struve counters with a low kick, right behind Harfager 's knee.
Struve keeps the fight on the outside.
Struve throws a chopping leg kick but Harfager manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Struve dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Harfager. That did some damage!
Struve is looking to land body kicks.

Harfager gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Harfager unloads a knee to the mid-section. Struve lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees in the clinch landing for Harfager.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Harfager keeps control of Struve as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Harfager lands an elbow just above Struve 's eye.
Struve is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Harald Harfager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebaastian Struve.
Struve looks gassed!
Struve can't break the clinch.
Struve wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harfager has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebaastian Struve dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Harfager is looking to clinch.
Struve fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Struve attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Harfager.
Struve slips under a jab from Harfager.
Harfager doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Harfager stuffs the takedown.

Harfager gets a clinch.
Harfager utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Harfager stalling in the clinch.
Struve avoiding damage as Harfager throws knees to the body.
Harfager lands a knee to the head.
Harfager looking to throw knees to the head but Struve is blocking nicely.
Struve lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Harfager or not.
Struve wants to get back to striking at distance but Harfager won't allow it.
Harfager lands an elbow inside that Struve shrugs off.
Struve is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Harfager pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Come on Harfager - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Harfager unloads a knee to the mid-section. Struve lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Struve is breathing heavily.
Harfager dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Harfager is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve working aggressively here.
Harfager missing with knees to the body.
Harfager tries to land knees in the clinch but Struve avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Harfager just misses with a elbow thrown towards Struve's brow.
Struve on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Struve can't get the takedown.
Harald Harfager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebaastian Struve.
Struve looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Harfager obliges.
Harfager using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Struve has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Harfager is trying to maintain a safe position but Struve gets an underhook and turns Harfager into the cage.
Harfager throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Struve blocks it with crossed arms.
Harfager prevents Struve from breaking the clinch.
Harfager scores a nice knee to the body.
Harfager with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Harfager lands a knee to the head.
Harfager stalling against the cage.
Struve lands a right hand that snaps the head of Harfager backwards.
Struve tries for a takedown. No joy.
Harfager with a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Struve.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Harfager obliges.
Harfager looking to throw knees to the head but Struve is blocking nicely.

Struve's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Harfager wants to clinch but Struve slips to the side
and Struve counters with a nice uppercut.
Harfager feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Struve's calf.
Harfager fails with an attempt to clinch.
Harfager tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Struve counters with a right hand to the body.
Harfager tries to clinch up
and Struve counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Struve slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Harfager looks to land a left hand but Struve moved out of range nicely.
Struve getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Struve takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Struve closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Harfager dodges the ground and pound from Struve.
Harfager is looking to regain half guard here but Struve keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harfager keeps working.
Struve lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Harfager down.
A lull in the action here as Struve stalls from top position.
Harfager is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Struve wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harfager keeps working.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Struve fails with the takedown.
Struve bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Harfager's head backwards.
Harfager scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Struve, right into the meat.

Harfager closes the distance and clinches.
Struve drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Harfager gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Struve wants to break free but Harfager has control.
Harfager trying to control the position but instead, Struve has worked for underhooks and has pushed Harfager into the cage.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but Struve blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Harfager 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!

Harfager tries to clinch

and Struve counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Struve thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Harfager avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Struve.
Struve has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Struve throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Struve controlling the pace.
Struve's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Harfager blocking the ground and pound attempt from Struve.
Struve scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Harfager is trying to get back to full guard.
Harfager avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Struve.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harfager blocking the ground and pound attempt from Struve.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Struve trying to pass the guard but Harfager defending well.
Struve takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harfager wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harfager tries to close the distance and clinch but Struve swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harald Harfager is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Harfager darts in and clinches Struve up against the cage.
Harfager lands an elbow inside.
Struve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Struve doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Harfager is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Struve is defending well for now.

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.
Harfager landing knees to the body.
Struve lands with a left to the head.
Struve blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Struve is trying to drag Harfager to the mat but Harfager just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Harfager lands a damaging elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Harfager creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Struve's defenses.
Harfager lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Struve breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Harfager moves into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Harfager.
Harfager with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Harfager with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Harfager stalling against the cage.
Harfager throws an elbow but it misses.

Struve is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Harfager can't fight it off and eventually Struve manages to take the fight to the floor. Harfager looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Struve tries to free his leg and advance position but Harfager is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harfager kicks Struve off and gets to his feet.
Harfager darts in trying to clinch
and Struve counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Harfager tries to clinch

and Struve decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Harfager's guard.
Struve slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Struve loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struve thows a big elbow that misses.
Harfager looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Struve controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Struve preventing the sweep.
Struve throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Harfager works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Harfager doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Harfager stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harfager wants it to stay on the feet.
Struve throws a nice outside leg kick.
Harfager stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harfager wants it to stay on the feet.
Harald Harfager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebaastian Struve.
Harfager tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Struve makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sebaastian Struve comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Struve has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sebaastian Struve!