PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Durant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Haverford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haverford is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Jay-Z & Kanye West - N** In Paris. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Durant
vs
Haverford

186 cm
26
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
43
185 lbs
19 - 28 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kevin Durant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 28 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Haverford !
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Haverford misses.
Haverford tries to clinch there but Durant circles away.
Durant tries to counter with a takedown but Haverford is quick to defend against it.
Haverford will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Haverford takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Tom Haverford has been cut.
Durant lands with a thumping leg kick.
Durant cracks Haverford with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Haverford doesn't manage to clinch there - Durant circles away.
Durant punishes Haverford 's body with a nice straight punch.
Durant looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Haverford wants to slow Durant down by chopping away at his legs.
Haverford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Durant swivels and escapes.
Decent striking displayed by Haverford there.

Durant shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durant is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Durant is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haverford has managed to free his arm - good work.

Durant is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haverford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Durant.
Haverford is trying to stand.
Durant wants to pass to mount but Haverford is defending the position.
Durant stalling.

Durant is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two 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.
Durant stops Haverford from getting back to his feet.
Haverford won't allow Durant to pass to mount.
Durant throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Durant trying to mount his opponent but Haverford defends it.
Haverford tries to roll over but Durant keeps him under control.
Haverford is looking to escape.

Durant is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haverford has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haverford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Durant.
Haverford is staying active underneath Durant, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Haverford is holding on to half guard well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Durant steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haverford .
Haverford attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A jab from Durant does it's job there.
Haverford fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Durant checks it well.
Haverford misses with a looping right.
Durant moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Haverford throws a leg kick
and Durant cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Haverford has managed to clinch.
Durant landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Haverford tries to land knees in the clinch but Durant avoids the damage to the body.
Haverford 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Durant creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Haverford 's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Durant goes for a takedown in the clinch but Haverford prevents it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Durant.
Durant lands a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Tom Haverford 's cut even more.
A nice left hand lands by Durant.
Haverford wants to stall.
Durant throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Haverford s head.
Haverford tries to land a knee to the head but Durant blocks with his arms.
Haverford looks winded!
A short uppercut from Durant.
Durant lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Durant pulls guard effortlessly.

Durant has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Haverford can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Durant trying to control the position.

Durant escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haverford gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Durant dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tom Haverford 's cut.
That's time! Durant's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Durant lands a leg kick that knocks Haverford off balance momentarily.
Durant uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Haverford has time to react.
Haverford tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Durant paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Durant wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Haverford drives through with a takedown into Durant's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Durant is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haverford wants to control from the top but Durant keeps moving.

Durant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Haverford is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Durant looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kevin Durant overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haverford distracts Durant with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Durant is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Durant working for a triangle but Haverford defends it easily.

Durant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Haverford is aware though and is defending well.

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.
Haverford trying to stand up but can't free himself from Durant's guard.

Haverford has gone for a leg lock! Durant slips out almost immediately though and dives into Haverford 's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Durant wants to control from the top but Haverford keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haverford looking to control.
Durant not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Haverford is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Durant forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Durant seems to be looking for submissions.
Durant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Haverford tries to roll over but Durant keeps him under control.
Haverford wants to control but Durant is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Durant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Durant takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Haverford is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Durant's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Durant's back!
Durant trying to control the position but Haverford manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durant is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Durant showing good submission defense here.
Durant is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Haverford scores with strikes from the back.
Durant trying to control the action but Haverford just sinks the hooks in.
Durant wants to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Haverford is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Durant trying to control the position but Haverford manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kevin Durant will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tom Haverford 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Haverford shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Haverford fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Durant has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Haverford throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Durant to counter with a crisp jab.
Haverford throws a hook but Durant avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Durant.
Haverford throws a low kick but Durant avoids it.
Haverford jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Durant darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Durant is looking to take a break and control but Haverford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Durant is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Durant is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durant trying to control from half guard but Haverford is working away.
Durant thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haverford wants to control but Durant is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Durant looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Durant is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Haverford is trying to get back to full guard.

Durant is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Haverford is just riding it out for now. Durant eventually gives up the hold.
Haverford looks like he's trying to stand up.

Durant looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haverford trying to control from the bottom.
Haverford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Durant.

Haverford is trying to control Durant's posture. Durant takes advantage of the lull and advances to side control. He also appears to have an arm triangle here! Uh oh, big trouble for Haverford ! Durant is rotating here... this could be the end... Haverford is out! Durant has ended this one emphatically! Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Kevin Durant!
In his post fight interview, Kevin Durant started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.