PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akira Harada (ranked 1680 p4p, 199 weight class) and Jorginho Marcelo (ranked 1023 p4p, 126 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Harada
vs
Marcelo

169 cm
28
166 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

175 cm
29
162 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akira Harada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jorginho Marcelo!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harada connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Jorginho Marcelo has been cut.
A nice combination there by Harada.
Harada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Marcelo.
Harada misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Marcelo to counter with a crisp jab.
We've been told by Harada's head coaches at Lovelair's MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Marcelo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Harada manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A leg kick checked by Marcelo.
Marcelo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Harada.

Marcelo pushes Harada up against the cage in a clinch.
Harada blocks an uppercut.
Harada slowing the pace effectively.
Harada lands with a short shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harada prevents Marcelo from breaking the clinch.
Marcelo lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Harada breaks the clinch.
Harada throws a right hand that Marcelo ducks under and follows up with a left that Marcelo also avoids with ease.

Marcelo moves into the clinch successfully.
Harada wants to get back to striking at distance but Marcelo won't allow it.
Harada blocks an elbow strike from Marcelo.
Marcelo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Marcelo lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harada breaks from the clinch.
Marcelo tries to clinch up but Harada circles away and keeps his distance.

Harada tries to keep at a distance but Marcelo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Marcelo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Harada's efforts to push away.
Marcelo fails to pull guard.
Marcelo is trying to drag Harada to the mat but Harada just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Marcelo tries to throw a body punch but Harada avoids it by throwing Marcelo back against the cage.

Harada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akira Harada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marcelo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Harada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Marcelo.
A lazy left from Harada finds it's target.

Harada drops Marcelo with a beautiful combination! Marcelo stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Harada is looking for the KO!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Harada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marcelo moves away.
A punch combination from Harada misses.
Marcelo is looking to clinch but Harada is avoiding it.
A nice combination there by Marcelo.

It looks like Akira Harada has been cut.

Harada darts in and clinches Marcelo up against the cage.

Harada manages to break the clinch.
Marcelo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Harada is fending him off so far but Marcelo persists. Nope, Harada circles away and we're back to standing.
Akira Harada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorginho Marcelo.
Marcelo slips under a jab.

Marcelo clinches.
Marcelo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harada pulls his leg out and moves away.
Marcelo's corner calls for a 1-2. Marcelo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Marcelo darts in looking for a takedown but Harada gets double underhooks and turns Marcelo into the cage.
Marcelo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harada tries to avoid it but Marcelo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harada to the ground. Harada escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Marcelo gets a takedown into half guard.
Marcelo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harada keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harada is trying to stand up here but Marcelo is controlling him well.
Marcelo is trying to control. Harada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marcelo is pressing down on Harada's thigh, looking to free his foot. Harada is holding on for now.
Marcelo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Marcelo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Harada defends it well.
Harada tries to roll over but Marcelo keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Still in half guard, Marcelo seems content to control.
Marcelo wants to take a breather but Harada is having none of it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Marcelo in particular looking to stall.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Marcelo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Marcelo controlling from the full mount.
Marcelo moves to back control.

Marcelo has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Harada looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Akira Harada will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Harada keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Marcelo tries to clinch up
and Harada counters with a stiff right hand.
Harada throws a wild body kick that Marcelo sees coming a mile off.
Harada tests Marcelo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Harada blocks a jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Harada scores with a four punch combination!

Marcelo is rocked!
Harada looks to land a right hand but Marcelo moved out of range.
Marcelo is still on wobbly legs! Can Harada finish him?
Marcelo fails with a takedown attempt.
Harada leaves Marcelo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marcelo seems to have recovered his senses.
Marcelo takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That has opened up Jorginho Marcelo's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BOOM! Harada lands a beautiful left hook that drops Marcelo. Marcelo tries to recover but Harada is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Marcelo lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Akira Harada!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Akira Harada made sure he mentioned Sportivité, along with how happy he was to win his fight.