PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohamed al Hadj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Harbor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). al Hadj comes to the cage accompanied by Hypnotized Lebanon. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

al Hadj
vs
Harbor

191 cm
37
200 lbs
28 - 19 - 0

184 cm
29
193 lbs
20 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Just Fight (Everything 8$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohamed al Hadj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Harbor!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
al Hadj delivers a nice body kick.
Harbor scores with a decent looking hook.
Harbor closes this distance looking for a takedown but al Hadj circles away.
al Hadj just misses with a punch to the body.
al Hadj scores with a nice body kick.
al Hadj throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from al Hadj.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Harbor misses with a looping right.

Harbor bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Harbor looking to control but instead al Hadj has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harbor wants to control but al Hadj is keeping him busy.
Harbor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Harbor with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj tries to roll over but Harbor keeps him under control.
Harbor is looking to take a break and control but al Hadj is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Harbor is looking for a kimura here.
al Hadj is looking to improve his position.

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.
Harbor trying to mount his opponent but al Hadj defends it.
Harbor is trying to control. al Hadj wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Harbor is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
al Hadj misses with a body shot.

Harbor shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Harbor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Harbor trying to control the position from guard on top but al Hadj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harbor looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj is controlling Harbor's posture.
Harbor wants to pass the guard but al Hadj is keeping the position.
al Hadj tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Harbor trying to control but al Hadj is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
We've been told by al Hadj's head coaches at ♛ Team Fight Club™ that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Harbor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by al Hadj.
al Hadj takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four 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.
al Hadj throws a head kick that misses.
al Hadj looking to land some kicks to the body here.
al Hadj scores with the left hand. Harbor knows he should have avoided that one.
Harbor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
That kick from al Hadj tenderised Harbor's leg. Harbor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Harbor scores with a jab to the jaw.
Donk. Harbor catches al Hadj right on the button with a cross.

al Hadj moves into the clinch.
Harbor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
al Hadj tries to work over Harbor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by al Hadj.
al Hadj lands a nice shot to the body.
al Hadj lands a damaging elbow.
Harbor avoids a wild elbow strike from al Hadj.
Harbor blocks an elbow strike.
al Hadj trying to stall but Harbor improves his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Harbor will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A clash of legs there as Harbor blocks the low kick.
Harbor shoots in for a double leg but al Hadj sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
al Hadj went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
al Hadj will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
al Hadj staying out of range there.
Harbor fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Harbor is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Harbor takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
al Hadj looking to land some kicks to the body here.
al Hadj misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harbor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harbor swings away with a body shot that misses
and al Hadj counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab, jab by Harbor - just one landing.
al Hadj cracks Harbor with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
al Hadj throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
al Hadj misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
James Harbor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harbor dives in for a single leg takedown but al Hadj sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Harbor with a jab.
Harbor scores with a punch to the head.
al Hadj doesn't manage to clinch there - Harbor circles away.
Harbor moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Harbor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by al Hadj. al Hadj obviously looking to wear him down.
al Hadj dodges the punch combination from Harbor.
al Hadj is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mohamed al Hadj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
al Hadj fails to land with a series of punches.
al Hadj scores with a crisp jab that stopped Harbor in his tracks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Harbor misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from al Hadj as Harbor shoots in.
Mohamed al Hadj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harbor.
al Hadj misses with a body shot.
al Hadj digs a good hook to Harbor's body.
al Hadj feints and then cracks Harbor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Harbor down.
al Hadj is looking to wear down Harbor with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

al Hadj takes the fight into the clinch.
Harbor tries a body shot but al Hadj blocks it.
al Hadj wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

al Hadj manages to break the clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Harbor, as that shot connected.
Nice uppercut lands for al Hadj. That snapped Harbor's head back.
al Hadj slips under a jab.
And al Hadj counters with a quick kick to the body but Harbor blocks it.
Harbor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Harbor dodges the punch combination from al Hadj.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harbor shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. al Hadj manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
al Hadj looking to control.
al Hadj seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
al Hadj looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harbor is one step ahead there.
Harbor is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor passes al Hadj's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harbor trying to pass the guard but al Hadj defending well.
al Hadj is not content to let Harbor control the position.
Harbor throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Harbor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

al Hadj uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Harbor.
Harbor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract al Hadj.
Harbor tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but al Hadj defends well and Harbor ends up having to push al Hadj into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mohamed al Hadj is winning the standup battle so far.
Harbor misses with a body shot.
Harbor checks a low kick from al Hadj.
al Hadj takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Harbor misses with a hook. al Hadj ducked under it nicely.
al Hadj digs a good hook to Harbor's body.
al Hadj looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Harbor - just one landing.
Harbor thows a left - swing and a miss!
al Hadj works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A combination from Harbor does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj misses with a head kick.
al Hadj tries to close the distance and clinch but Harbor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harbor dives in and grabs al Hadj's left leg, looking for a takedown. al Hadj pushes down on Harbor's head and hops out.
Harbor misses with a wild body shot.
al Hadj throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Harbor just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Harbor.
al Hadj throws a series of punches but Harbor moves out of range.
Harbor looks to land a combination but al Hadj avoids it well.
al Hadj is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
al Hadj looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
al Hadj takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
al Hadj ducks under a wild hook from Harbor.
al Hadj looks to score with a jab to the body but Harbor is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
al Hadj is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
al Hadj misses with a few strikes there.
Harbor shoots in looking for a takedown. al Hadj tries to sprawl out of it but Harbor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. al Hadj manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mohamed al Hadj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harbor.
al Hadj staying out of range there.
al Hadj throws a shot from downtown. Harbor moves away and avoids it.
Donk. Harbor catches al Hadj right on the button with a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
al Hadj swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Harbor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nice body punch from al Hadj.
al Hadj ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from al Hadj.
Mohamed al Hadj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harbor throws a lazy right hand but al Hadj sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
al Hadj walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
al Hadj misses with a body shot.

al Hadj drives through and clinches with Harbor against the cage.
al Hadj lands an elbow that stopped Harbor in his tracks for a moment.
al Hadj lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Harbor throws a head punch that misses.
al Hadj tries a body shot but Harbor blocks it.
al Hadj throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Harbor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
al Hadj misses with an elbow over the top.
Harbor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Harbor throws a punch but it's blocked by al Hadj.
al Hadj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by al Hadj.
Harbor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of al Hadj backwards.
al Hadj gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like James Harbor has been cut.
Harbor avoids a wild elbow strike from al Hadj.
al Hadj throws an elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
al Hadj gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Harbor lands a shot to the body.
Harbor working hard to break the clinch.

Harbor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Harbor scores with a crisp jab that stopped al Hadj in his tracks.
Harbor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by al Hadj.
Harbor throws a sloppy body shot
and al Hadj counters with a good low kick that Harbor was not able to check.
Harbor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
al Hadj attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Jab, jab by Harbor - just one landing.
James Harbor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
al Hadj tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harbor was well out of range. Poor timing from al Hadj.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mohamed al Hadj.
I think Harbor 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!