PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Harevich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe McGaleb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Harevich
vs
McGaleb

176 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Maxim Harevich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe McGaleb!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McGaleb shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McGaleb showed some decent athleticism there.
McGaleb seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
McGaleb not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McGaleb thows a huge punch but Harevich dodges it nicely.
McGaleb controlling the action here.

McGaleb stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGaleb fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Harevich sprawls well initially but McGaleb persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McGaleb prevents Harevich from standing back up.
McGaleb stalling.
McGaleb missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

McGaleb seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGaleb missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McGaleb performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Harevich is in trouble now - McGaleb has advanced to mount!
McGaleb looking to control and managing it successfully.

McGaleb looking to secure an arm triangle but Harevich defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGaleb goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Harevich turns into him and now he's in McGaleb's guard.
Harevich won't allow McGaleb to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

McGaleb kicks Harevich off and gets to his feet.
McGaleb shoots in for a double leg but Harevich sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Harevich lands a two punch combo.
Harevich moves in looking to clinch but McGaleb pushes him off.

McGaleb gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Harevich lands with a short shot to the head.
Harevich tries to circle away but McGaleb has him pinned against the cage.
Harevich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe McGaleb dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGaleb scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McGaleb raining down hammerfists from mount.
A nice elbow there by McGaleb.
McGaleb thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
McGaleb content just to control the position here.

McGaleb looking for a guillotine from mount but Harevich is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGaleb is working for a guillotine from mount but Harevich frees his head quite easily.
McGaleb controlling the position easily from mount.
McGaleb looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGaleb raining down hammerfists from mount.
McGaleb looking to control and managing it successfully.

McGaleb is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harevich defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McGaleb.

McGaleb closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Harevich to the mat! Harevich manages to get full guard.
Joe McGaleb has got the better of the ground game so far.
McGaleb is breathing heavily.
McGaleb lands a couple of digs.

Harevich uses the cage to get back to his feet.

McGaleb is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Harevich's half guard.
Harevich won't allow McGaleb to pass to mount.

McGaleb is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGaleb looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Harevich taking some punishment here, with McGaleb in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe McGaleb showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Harevich's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McGaleb tries to score a power double leg takedown but Harevich sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGaleb somewhat.
McGaleb takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Harevich throws a body punch but McGaleb moves out of range.
Joe McGaleb seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harevich moves to clinch but McGaleb breaks away

and McGaleb counters with a nice double leg into side control. Harevich won't be happy with that.
Harevich wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
McGaleb is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Harevich will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

McGaleb is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Harevich has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harevich pushes McGaleb away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, McGaleb gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sloppy strikes there by McGaleb.
McGaleb content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Harevich is trying to buck McGaleb off.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGaleb decides to stand up, so the ref orders Harevich to his feet.
Harevich fails to land with a series of punches.
Harevich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Joe McGaleb is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Harevich gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McGaleb to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGaleb forces his way into half guard.
McGaleb content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGaleb is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McGaleb is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe McGaleb comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McGaleb winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe McGaleb!