PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kenuichio Harada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerald Richardson (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.

Harada
vs
Richardson

178 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kenuichio Harada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gerald Richardson!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richardson wants to clinch up but Harada keeps it at a distance.
Richardson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Harada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Harada.
Harada shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richardson as he avoids it easily.
Harada misses with a takedown attempt - Richardson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenuichio Harada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harada shoots in and drives through. Richardson sprawls well.
Richardson scores with a hook.
Richardson lands a high kick!
Harada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Richardson circles away.
Harada shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Richardson pinned against the cage. Richardson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Harada keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Richardson clinches up against the cage.
Richardson looking for a takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Richardson.
Richardson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Harada fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Richardson has managed to clinch.
Richardson taking a breather.
Richardson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Richardson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Richardson scores a nice knee to the body.
Harada tries to pull guard but Richardson holds him up against the cage and eventually Harada drops back down to his feet.
Harada wants a takedown.
Knees to the body from Richardson.

Richardson pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harada wants to pass the guard but Richardson is keeping the position.

Richardson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Harada connects with a couple of short punches.
Harada preventing the sweep.
Harada trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Richardson pulls Harada in close to his closed guard and prevents Harada from doing any damage or advancing position.
Richardson wants to sweep here but Harada controlling him for the moment.
Harada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richardson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richardson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson looking for a sweep. Not yet Richardson, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harada shoots in but Richardson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Harada is breathing heavily.

Richardson clinches with his opponent.
Richardson taking a breather.
Richardson scores with a knee to the head.

Richardson drags the fight down to the ground.
Richardson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Richardson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Harada advances to half guard.

Richardson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Richardson trying to control here.
Harada tries to pass to full mount but Richardson defends it.
Richardson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Richardson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Harada wants to get up but he can't break Richardson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Harada loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Harada has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Harada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Richardson clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Richardson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Richardson has his takedown stuffed

and Harada counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Harada throwing shots but Richardson is blocking nicely.

Harada is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Richardson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Harada.
Harada looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Richardson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Harada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Harada's back!
Richardson trying to control momentarily.
Harada tries to escape but Richardson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Richardson is working for a rear naked choke. Harada is not defending it well and Richardson has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Harada refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Harada's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gerald Richardson!