PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nester Locke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claude Harper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Locke has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Locke
vs
Harper

192 cm
20
192 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

193 cm
22
193 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nester Locke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Claude Harper!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Hugh Johnson and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper moves out of range.
Locke is breathing heavily.
Locke blocks a head kick by Harper.
Locke takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A swing and a miss from Locke.
A telegraphed right hand from Locke misses the target.
Harper goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Locke feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Harper seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Locke has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Claude Harper has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Locke takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Harper lands a nice hook to Locke's body. Locke takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Harper is looking to land body kicks.
Harper misses with a kick to the body.
Harper scores with a jab. Locke acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Locke takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Harper moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Harper misses with a head kick.
Harper lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Sloppy strikes from Locke. Those never looked like landing.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harper scores with a head kick.
Harper throws a head kick but Locke moves out of range.
Harper lands a high kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Locke moves out of range as Harper throws a body kick.
Harper lands with a nice body kick.
Harper tries to land a front kick but Locke steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sloppy strikes from Harper. Those never looked like landing.
Harper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Claude Harper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Harper fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Locke is out of range.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
A swing and a miss from Locke.
Harper lands with a slapping head kick.
Harper with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A punch combination from Locke misses.
Locke takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sloppy strikes from Locke. Those never looked like landing.
Locke on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A head kick misses from Harper.
A head kick misses from Harper.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke moves out of range of the body kick.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Harper with a hook.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Locke looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
That kick from Harper tenderised Locke's leg. Locke is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Harper throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A good leg kick by Harper.
Harper looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Locke takes a kick to the side of the head.
Harper with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Harper throws a quick inside leg kick.
Harper throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Locke.
Locke moves out of range of the body kick.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Harper.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Locke takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Locke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
Harper misses with a low kick.
Harper thumps Locke with a low kick.
Harper keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Locke.
A jab from Harper does it's job there.
Harper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Harper connects with a high kick.
Harper throws a head kick that Locke semi-blocks.
Locke misses with a jab, cross combination.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Claude Harper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Locke throws a right and a left that Harper avoids nicely.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
Harper looks for the body kick but Locke saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claude Harper dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Harper throws a nice head kick!
Harper throws a head kick but Locke moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Harper.
Locke misses with a wild combination.
Locke avoids the head kick by Harper.
Harper keeps Locke at a distance using the push kick.
Locke takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Harper cracks the inside of Locke's front leg.
Harper feints and then cracks Locke's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Locke down.
Locke stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Harper.
Locke moves out of range of the leg kick from Harper.

Locke changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Harper looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harper wants to control but Locke postures up.
Harper keeps Locke under control for a moment.
Harper gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harper manages to get to full guard.

Harper looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Harper is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Harper controlling Locke's posture.

Harper working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Locke doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Locke manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Harper holds on and takes a little breather.
Harper is trying to control the position but Locke postures up.
Harper trying to control the position here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harper is looking for a triangle but Locke pushes his legs off easily.
Harper is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Harper pulls Locke in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Harper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claude Harper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Harper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Locke. Those never looked like landing.
Harper throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice body kick from Harper.
Harper misses with a low kick.
Nester Locke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Harper throws a head kick but Locke moves out of range.
Locke takes a kick to the side of the head.
Harper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Locke avoids the head kick by Harper.
Locke will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Harper scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Harper keeps Locke at a distance using the push kick.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Claude Harper seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Harper fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Locke.
Harper connects with a solid leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harper connects with an inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Harper.
Harper keeps Locke at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper tries to land a leg kick but Locke saw it coming and moves away.
Harper throws a head kick but Locke moves out of range.
Harper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Harper misses with an attempted mid kick.
Harper throws a low kick but Locke moves out of range easily.
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Locke misses with a looping left.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Harper connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Locke's hands.
Locke drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Harper scores with a nice strike.
Locke avoids a kick to the body.
Harper does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Harper misses with a head kick.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.
Locke misses with a straight left.
Locke moves out of range of the body kick from Harper.
Locke throws a right and a left that both miss.
Harper tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Locke is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Locke will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Harper scores with a jab to the jaw.
Locke is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Harper cracks Locke with an open hand slap.
Locke throws a right and a left that Harper avoids nicely.
Harper throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Locke.
Locke takes one to the chin there.
Locke throws a nice looking combination but Harper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harper lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.
Harper throws a head kick but Locke moves out of range.
Locke misses with a straight right.
A punch combination from Locke misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Harper. Locke shrugs it off though.
Harper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Harper lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Locke 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper avoids them all with ease.
Harper moves into range and connects with a jab.
Harper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick from Harper lands but Locke takes it in his stride.
Harper throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Locke.
Harper throws a nice inside leg kick.
Harper will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Harper lands a front kick.
Locke takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A leg kick checked by Locke.
Harper throws a front kick aimed at Locke's knee but Locke avoids it well.
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper avoids them all with ease.
A nice leg kick lands there from Harper.
A nice inside leg kick there by Harper. That's going to slow Locke down.
Harper connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Locke's calf.
Locke takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Harper lands with an uppercut that bounces Locke off the cage and back into rage.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Locke checks the leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harper looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Harper feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Locke's calf.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
Locke will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Crunch! Harper slams his shin into Locke's torso.
Harper throws a nice inside leg kick.
Harper cracks the inside of Locke's front leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Locke is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Harper.
Harper scores with a head kick. Locke tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Locke lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Locke.
Harper looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claude Harper really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Harper fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Locke has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Harper scores with a nice body kick.
Harper throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Some wild striking there from Locke.
Locke takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A punch lands to the side of Locke 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Harper is looking to land body kicks.
Locke misses with a wild combination.
Locke has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Harper.
Harper misses with a head kick.
Harper lands with a good body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Harper. That's going to slow Locke down.
Harper fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Locke has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Harper bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Harper connects with a high kick.
Locke misses with a double jab.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Locke on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick from Harper lands but Locke takes it in his stride.
Locke misses with a straight left.
Harper misses with a low kick.
Harper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Harper.
Harper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Locke takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Harper scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Harper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Locke takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Locke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Harper.
Harper stuns Locke with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Harper moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Harper scores with a head kick. Locke tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Locke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Harper circles away quickly and effectively.
Locke avoids the head kick by Harper.

Locke shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Harper manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Harper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Harper escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Locke gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Harper has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Locke can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper is trying to control the position but Locke postures up.
Locke is fighting to break Harper's control of his arms but Harper is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Harper is looking for a triangle but Locke pushes his legs off easily.

Harper is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Locke defends well.
Harper is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Claude Harper has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harper trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claude Harper dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Harper misses with a head kick.
Harper lands a high kick!
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper moves out of range.
Locke moves out of range as Harper throws a body kick.
Harper lands with an uppercut that bounces Locke off the cage and back into rage.
Harper scores with a jab to the body.
Harper throws the kick towards the body but Locke avoids it.
Harper slips a jab and a cross from Locke.
Harper scores with a hook.
Locke blocks a head kick by Harper.
Good leg kick by Harper there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.
Harper throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Harper throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Locke.
Harper lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Locke takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Harper cracks Locke with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke moves out of range of the body kick.
Locke takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Locke drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Harper getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Locke misses with a few strikes there.
Harper lands with a slapping head kick.
Harper bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Harper thumps Locke with a low kick.
Harper goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Harper defending well as Locke loads up on a big left hand.
Harper throws the kick towards the body but Locke avoids it.
Locke throws a right and a left that both miss.
Locke takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A head kick from Harper lands but Locke takes it in his stride.
Harper plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper avoids them all with ease.
Harper moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Locke if he has to take too many more of those.
Locke avoids the head kick by Harper.
Locke takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Harper fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harper delivers a nice body kick.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harper throws a push kick but Locke slaps the foot to one side.
Locke looks to land a combination but Harper avoids it well.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Harper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Harper throws a nice head kick!
Harper lands a head kick. Locke smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Locke jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Harper fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Left hook, right uppercut from Locke.
Harper tries a head kick but it misses.
Locke tries to bum rush Harper with a series of wild strikes but Harper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Locke has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Harper.
Harper connects with an inside leg kick.
Harper thumps Locke with a low kick.
Locke on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harper. Harper obviously looking to wear him down.
Locke tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Harper tries to land a front kick but Locke steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Locke takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Some wild striking there from Locke.
Harper lands with a slapping head kick.
Locke looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Locke gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Harper lands a high kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Locke throws a series of punches but Harper avoids them all with ease.
Locke fails to land with a series of punches.
Harper misses with a kick to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Harper, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Harper.
Locke takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Harper throws a sloppy head kick and Locke moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Harper.
Locke moves into range and connects with a jab.
Harper goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Locke tries to bum rush Harper with a series of wild strikes but Harper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nester Locke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Locke moves out of range of the body kick from Harper.
Harper throws a head kick that misses.
Harper uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Locke.
Harper cracks Locke with a good jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claude Harper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Harper has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claude Harper! Claude Harper retains his middleweight title!