PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leto Atreides (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harald Harfager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harfager has chosen Amon Amarth - Pursuit of Vikings as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Atreides
vs
Harfager

178 cm
22
182 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

188 cm
29
180 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good low kicks
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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leto Atreides!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harald Harfager!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atreides circles away from the clinch attempt
and Atreides counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Harfager darts in trying to clinch
and Atreides counters with a nice uppercut.
Atreides tries for a takedown but Harfager circles away easily
and Harfager counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Atreides is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Harald Harfager seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atreides misses with a takedown attempt
and Harfager counters with a low kick, right behind Atreides 's knee.
Atreides gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Harfager cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leto Atreides. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harfager wants to clinch.

Atreides shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Atreides thows a huge punch but Harfager dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harfager is controlling Atreides's trapped leg to prevent Atreides from advancing to side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Harfager can do anything to dispel that myth.
Atreides prevents Harfager from improving his position.
Atreides thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Harfager's head.
Atreides has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Atreides thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Harfager's head.
Harfager regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Atreides.
Atreides trying to control the position from guard on top but Harfager is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Atreides throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Harfager works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Atreides trying to control but Harfager is working from the bottom.
Harfager wants to control but Atreides passes easily into half guard.
Atreides sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Harfager defending well though.
Harfager is trying to stand up here but Atreides is controlling him well.
Atreides is pressing down on Harfager's thigh, looking to free his foot. Harfager is holding on for now.
Atreides looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Harfager with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atreides throwing shots but Harfager is blocking nicely.
Atreides thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Harfager's head.
Atreides tries to pass the half guard into mount. Harfager knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Atreides seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Harfager does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Atreides is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Atreides working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atreides missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Atreides throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Atreides throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Atreides trying to control the action but Harfager is working from the bottom.
Harfager keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Atreides trying to control from half guard but Harfager is working away.
Harfager blocking the ground and pound attempt from Atreides.
Atreides trying to mount his opponent but Harfager defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Harald Harfager will probably get the nod.
That's time! Atreides's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Harfager tries to clinch there but Atreides circles away.
Harfager tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Atreides paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Atreides doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Harfager counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Harfager.
Harfager gets underhooks to prevent Atreides's takedown attempt.
Atreides wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leto Atreides. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atreides drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harfager pulls his leg out and moves away.

Harfager closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Atreides wants a takedown but no success here.
Harfager pressing his opponent against the cage.
Harfager is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Atreides is defending well for now.
Harfager gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Harfager lands a hook that snaps the head of Atreides backwards.
Harfager is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Harfager avoiding damage.
Harfager scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Atreides avoiding damage as Harfager throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Harfager.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but Atreides blocks with his arms.
Harfager working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Harfager landing knees to the body.
Harfager just leaning against Atreides, taking a breather.
Harfager digs a right hand into Atreides's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Atreides's gas tank.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Harfager using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Harfager lands a knee to the body.
Harfager with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Harfager lands a knee to the body.
Harfager holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Harfager.
Nice body punch from Harfager - that landed with a thud.
Harfager lands an elbow inside.
Harfager lands a nice elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Harfager.
Atreides takes an elbow to the temple.
Harfager is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harfager lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Harfager holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Harfager.
Harfager gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atreides tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Harfager landing knees to the body.
Harfager lands with a short shot to the head.
A knee to the head by Harfager.
Harfager creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Atreides's defenses.
Harfager lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Harfager lands a good knee to the midsection. Atreides won't want to take too many of those.
Nice elbow from Harfager.
Harfager using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Harfager lands with a short shot to the head.
Harfager utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Atreides takes a knee to the side of the body.
Atreides wants to get back to striking at distance but Harfager won't allow it.

Atreides breaks from the clinch.
Harfager feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Atreides's calf.
Atreides closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Atreides with a lazy takedown attempt
and Harfager counters with a big head kick but Atreides shrugs it off.
Harald Harfager is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Harfager buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Atreides tries for a takedown but Harfager circles away easily

and Harfager moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harfager manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Atreides wants a takedown but no success here.
Harfager unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Harfager connects with a knee to the head.
Harfager lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Atreides looking for a takedown.
Harfager stalls.
Harfager creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Atreides's defenses.
Harfager scores a nice knee to the body.
Harfager landing knees to the body.
Harald Harfager seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A knee to the head by Harfager.
Harfager gets underhooks to prevent Atreides's takedown attempt.
Harfager connects with a knee to the head.
Harfager utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Atreides trying to land knees to the body.
Harfager creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Atreides's defenses.
Atreides takes an elbow to the forehead.
Atreides tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harfager lands a knee to the head.
Atreides tries for a takedown. No joy.
Harfager has Atreides pushed against the cage.
Harfager working Atreides over with knees to the body.
Harfager gets underhooks to prevent Atreides's takedown attempt.
Atreides is looking to break free of the clinch but Harfager has double underhooks.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Harfager.
Harfager using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Harfager lands a good knee to the midsection. Atreides won't want to take too many of those.
Harfager lands an elbow inside.
Atreides tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Harfager avoids it.
A body shot lands from Harfager.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Atreides gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Harfager regains guard.

Harfager wriggles free and stands up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harfager connects with a single shot there.

Harfager drives through and clinches with Atreides against the cage.
Harfager tries to stall but Atreides uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Harfager showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Atreides doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Harfager counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Atreides with a lazy takedown attempt

and Harfager counters by moving into the clinch.
Atreides looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leto Atreides. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harfager scores a nice knee to the body.
Good body shot from Harfager.
A hook to the body from Harfager.
Harfager stalling in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Harfager obliges.
Harfager unloads a knee to the mid-section. Atreides lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Atreides takes a knee right on the jaw!
Harfager using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Harfager landing knees to the body.
Harfager has Atreides pressed against the cage.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but Atreides blocks with his arms.
Harfager prevents the takedown attempt.
Atreides tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harfager putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Atreides in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Harfager missing with knees to the body.
Atreides is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Atreides misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harfager crunches a lovely knee into Atreides's ribcage.
Atreides tries for a takedown. No joy.
Harfager creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Atreides's defenses.
Harfager lands a body punch.
Harfager works on Atreides's body with a couple of short punches.
Atreides goes for a takedown in the clinch but Harfager prevents it.
Harfager scores with a knee to the head.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Harfager blocks an elbow strike.
Harfager throws a knee to the head but misses.
Atreides is pushing Harfager up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Harfager slowing the pace effectively.
Atreides can't get the takedown.
Harfager tries to land knees in the clinch but Atreides avoids the damage to the body.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Atreides avoids it.
Atreides 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 gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Atreides.
Knees in the clinch landing for Harfager.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Harfager trying to land knees to the body.
Harfager prevents a takedown attempt there.
Atreides throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Harfager lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Atreides backwards.
Harfager tries to land knees in the clinch but Atreides avoids the damage to the body.
Atreides tries to break free but Harfager pushes him back against the cage.
Harfager tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Atreides tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Harfager just stands there and leans against the cage.
Harfager lands a nice knee to the body.
Atreides goes for a takedown attempt but Harfager pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Harfager lands a head kick. Atreides smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Harfager tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atreides swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Atreides has his takedown stuffed
and Harfager counters with a nice leg kick.
Harfager fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Atreides tries to keep at a distance but Harfager has taken the fight into the clinch.

Atreides breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Atreides tries for a takedown but Harfager circles away easily

and Harfager counters by clinching up.
Harfager with a knee to the head.
Atreides has had enough of the clinch but Harfager keeps him there for the moment.
Harfager throws a knee to the head but misses.
Atreides fails to pull guard.
Atreides wants to stall.
Atreides drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harfager pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harfager doesn't manage to clinch there - Atreides circles away.
Atreides with a poor takedown

and Harfager counters by clinching up.
Atreides takes a knee to the side of the body.
Harfager lands a good knee to the midsection. Atreides won't want to take too many of those.
A shot in the inside from Harfager.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Atreides is working for takedown but Harfager is calmly controlling the position for now.
Harfager lands a knee to the body.
Harfager landing knees to the head.
Atreides blocks an elbow strike.
Atreides lands a nice elbow.
Harfager lands an elbow that stopped Atreides in his tracks for a moment.
Atreides drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Harfager gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Harfager with a knee to the head.
Harfager pushes off an throws an elbow but Atreides leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Harfager prevents the takedown attempt.
Harfager crunches a lovely knee into Atreides's ribcage.
Atreides being controlled against the cage.
Harfager lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Atreides 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 gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Atreides.
Leto Atreides has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harald Harfager is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Harfager comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harald Harfager comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Harfager winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harald Harfager!