PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chad Harkleroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Horton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harkleroad comes into the arena with I am a real American blaring out of the sound system. Horton has chosen Ironman as his entrance music. Nick Horton will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Harkleroad
vs
Horton

165 cm
19
208 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

177 cm
19
210 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Harkleroad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nick Horton!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horton fails with a takedown attempt.
Horton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harkleroad sprawls well. Harkleroad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Horton gets slowly back to his feet.
Horton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harkleroad tries to avoid it but Horton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harkleroad to the ground. Harkleroad escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chad Harkleroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Horton.
Horton misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Harkleroad counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Horton working a defensive guard here.
Horton can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Harkleroad controls the pace.
Harkleroad could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Harkleroad manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Harkleroad has his foot on Horton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Horton works his way back into a safe position though.
Harkleroad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Harkleroad dominating with strikes here.
Horton is looking to improve his position but Harkleroad isn't that keen on the idea.
Horton wants to control but Harkleroad is having none of it.
Harkleroad breaks from Horton's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horton is wriggling around trying to escape.
Horton wants to control but Harkleroad is having none of it.
Harkleroad landing shots from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harkleroad cracks Horton with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Horton is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Harkleroad content just to control the position here.
Horton is in a horrible position here. Harkleroad smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Harkleroad controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad tries to control but Horton wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harkleroad takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Harkleroad is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Horton to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Horton shrugs it off.
Harkleroad tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Harkleroad wants to control the pace but Horton is squirming around nicely.
Harkleroad prevents Horton from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harkleroad is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Horton has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Harkleroad looking to control but Horton is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Harkleroad looking to control and managing it successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horton blocking the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Harkleroad 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.

Horton fails with a takedown attempt.

Harkleroad gets a takedown into half guard.
Harkleroad missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Harkleroad is keen to just control but Horton is a slippery customer.
Horton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Horton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Harkleroad is working away from the top position though.
Harkleroad with the ground and pound but Horton uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Harkleroad might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Harkleroad looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad prevents Horton from getting back to his feet.
Harkleroad tries to free his leg and advance position but Horton is retaining full guard.
Harkleroad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Harkleroad with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Harkleroad is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Horton is looking for a triangle but Harkleroad pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harkleroad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Harkleroad wants to control from the top but Horton keeps moving.
Chad Harkleroad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harkleroad preventing the sweep.
Harkleroad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Horton swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Horton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Harkleroad stays in close to Horton's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Harkleroad drops back, looking for a kneebar! Horton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Horton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Horton!
Horton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harkleroad keeps working.
Harkleroad regains half guard.
Harkleroad is not content to let Horton control the position.
Harkleroad is looking to get back to full guard here but Horton has managed to pass to side control instead.
Horton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harkleroad keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Harkleroad's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Horton decides to stand back up.
Horton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Harkleroad avoids it really well and circles away.
Nick Horton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Harkleroad scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horton is trying to maintain the position but Harkleroad is very close to passing his half guard.
Harkleroad not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Harkleroad dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Horton is looking to clinch.
Harkleroad misses with a takedown attempt - Horton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Horton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Horton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Harkleroad tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Horton has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Horton looking to control and managing it successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad wants to control but Horton is having none of it.
Harkleroad is looking to improve his position but Horton isn't that keen on the idea.

Horton stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Harkleroad as he jumps to the side.
Harkleroad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Horton tries to clinch up.
Harkleroad closes the distance and clinches up with Horton, looking for a takedown. Harkleroad pushes Horton against the cage but Horton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chad Harkleroad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Harkleroad closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Horton's guard.
Horton trying to keep a closed guard but Harkleroad is proving a slippery customer.
Horton wants to sweep here but Harkleroad controlling him for the moment.
Horton is trying to control the position but Harkleroad postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Horton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Horton throws a couple of heel strikes.
Horton keeping full guard, as Harkleroad tries to pass.

Harkleroad decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Horton, up you get!
Harkleroad has a takedown stuffed.
Harkleroad takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Horton doesn't manage to clinch there - Harkleroad circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Horton.
Horton shoots in but no luck this time.
Horton shoots in and drives through. Harkleroad sprawls well.
Harkleroad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Horton as he avoids it easily.
Harkleroad changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Horton tries to avoid it but Harkleroad manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Horton to the ground. Horton escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horton is looking to clinch.
Horton wants to clinch but Harkleroad slips to the side

and Harkleroad counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horton trying to keep a closed guard but Harkleroad is proving a slippery customer.
Harkleroad won't allow Horton to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Horton really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Horton shoots and misses

and Harkleroad counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Horton!

Harkleroad jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Horton is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Horton and Harkleroad has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Horton is trying to control Harkleroad's posture but Harkleroad avoids it.
Harkleroad trying to control the action but Horton is working from the bottom.
Horton struggling a bit here.
Horton regains half guard there - taking advantage of Harkleroad's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horton gets full guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Harkleroad looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Horton is on top in guard.

Harkleroad looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Horton passes into side control.
Harkleroad looks to move to half guard but instead Horton has passed into mount! Damn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad tries to hold on but Horton postures up.

Horton is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Harkleroad can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Horton stands up from mount. Strange move.
Horton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Harkleroad shoots in for a takedown but Horton shows good takedown defense.
Horton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chad Harkleroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Horton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Horton is fending him off so far but Harkleroad persists. Nope, Horton circles away and we're back to standing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horton.
Horrible takedown by Horton or perhaps it was just good defense by Harkleroad which made him look bad.
Chad Harkleroad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Harkleroad shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Horton pinned against the cage. Horton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Horton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Harkleroad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Horton somewhat.
Harkleroad has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harkleroad circles away.
Horton shoots in and drives through. Harkleroad sprawls well.

Harkleroad darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Horton taking some punishment here, with Harkleroad in his half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Harkleroad working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Chad Harkleroad will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Horton fails with the takedown

and Harkleroad counters with a shoot takedown. Horton fights it but they end up in guard.
Harkleroad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Horton's head.
Harkleroad sitting in guard here, content to control.
Horton wants to stand up but Harkleroad is controlling him.
Horton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harkleroad's guard.
Horton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Horton trying to control the position from guard on top but Harkleroad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkleroad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Harkleroad content just to control the position here.
Harkleroad seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Horton for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horton in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Horton tries to hold on but Harkleroad postures up.
Harkleroad sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Harkleroad with a couple of short strikes.

Harkleroad wants to finish this one by submission but Horton is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Harkleroad.
Harkleroad unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horton wants to try and get back to his feet.
Harkleroad prevents Horton from getting the reversal.
Horton throwing hammer fists to the chest of Harkleroad. What's that going to do exactly?
Harkleroad takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Horton is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Horton tries to improve his position but instead Harkleroad has taken his back!
Harkleroad has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Horton's body.

Horton defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkleroad controlling the position well here. Horton rolled but Harkleroad kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
A lull in the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harkleroad avoiding Horton 's attempts to control his hands.
Nick Horton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chad Harkleroad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Harkleroad is trying to stick to Horton's back but Horton is turning into Harkleroad. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Harkleroad's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Horton.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Harkleroad showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Harkleroad 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Harkleroad!
Chad Harkleroad managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Nature's Edge Nutrition, into his post fight interview.