PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Punchinello Harlequin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Guru
vs
Harlequin

174 cm
21
147 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

165 cm
22
143 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Determined

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ground Guru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Punchinello Harlequin!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harlequin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Guru was well out of range. Poor timing from Harlequin.
Guru takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Ground Guru has been cut.
Guru avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harlequin throws a leg kick but Guru checks it.
Guru closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harlequin circles away.
Harlequin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Guru blocks a head kick by Harlequin.
Guru gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Harlequin counters with a body kick that stops Guru in his tracks momentarily.
Harlequin throws a chopping leg kick but Guru manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Guru moves out of range of the leg kick from Harlequin.

Guru closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Harlequin quickly recovers to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Guru throwing shots but Harlequin is blocking nicely.
Harlequin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Guru.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlequin is trying to stand back up but Guru is controlling him

Guru is trying to work for a kimura but Harlequin is defending well.
Guru throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Harlequin is refusing to be controlled, as Guru sits in half guard.
Harlequin wants to get back to his feet.

Guru trying to work for an americana but Harlequin has managed to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Guru postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Harlequin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Guru, into his guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harlequin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Guru manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Guru seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Harlequin is holding on tight.
Guru mounts Harlequin! Really nice guard pass there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Harlequin is wriggling around trying to escape.
Guru trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Guru is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Harlequin has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Harlequin!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harlequin won't allow Guru to sweep him here.

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

Harlequin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru keeping moving, preventing Harlequin from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guru looking for a sweep. Not yet Guru, not yet.
Guru pulls Harlequin in close to his closed guard and prevents Harlequin from doing any damage or advancing position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harlequin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Guru tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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 Ground Guru will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Guru tries to clinch up.
Guru misses with a looping left.
Harlequin scores with a hook.
Harlequin loads up on a big right hand but Guru slips the punch.
Guru shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Harlequin pinned against the cage. Harlequin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Harlequin scoring well with a low kick there.
Guru swats away the attempt to clinch by Harlequin.
Harlequin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Guru.
An inside leg kick lands from Harlequin.
Harlequin throws a series of punches but Guru avoids them all with ease.
Punchinello Harlequin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Harlequin can pounce on him.
Harlequin misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Guru.
Guru on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harlequin. Harlequin obviously looking to wear him down.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Harlequin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harlequin throws a good cross that connects.

Guru closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Harlequin's guard.
Harlequin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Guru passes easily into side control. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Guru swings around for an armbar but Harlequin sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Guru's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harlequin looking to pass the guard.

Guru isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Harlequin stacks Guru on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Harlequin!

Harlequin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Harlequin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Guru tries to bench press Harlequin off him but Harlequin keeps the position.
Harlequin trying to control the action but Guru is working from the bottom.
Guru is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlequin in the domination position with Guru hanging on.
Ground Guru overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Harlequin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Harlequin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Harlequin tries to score with some ground and pound. Guru controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Guru can't do much from the bottom here.
Guru manages to get back to half guard.
Harlequin tries to pass to full mount but Guru defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru is pressing down on Harlequin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Guru tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Harlequin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Guru is keeping the position for now.
Harlequin throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Guru is on top in guard.
Guru throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Guru is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Harlequin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Harlequin has escaped and now he's on top!
Harlequin looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Punchinello Harlequin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Harlequin tries to clinch but Guru is having none of it.
Harlequin tries a head kick but it misses.
Guru will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Guru shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Harlequin defends it nicely.
Harlequin throws a series of punches but Guru avoids them all with ease.
Harlequin scores with a jab.
A leg kick checked by Guru.
Harlequin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Guru manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Harlequin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Guru looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Punchinello Harlequin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlequin moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Guru misses with a takedown
and Harlequin counters with a nice body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harlequin bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Harlequin!
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!
Harlequin tries to clinch up.
Harlequin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harlequin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Harlequin tries a head kick but it misses.
Harlequin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Harlequin lands with a slapping head kick.

Harlequin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Guru, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Harlequin.
Harlequin presses Guru against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Guru has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Harlequin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Harlequin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Harlequin is trying to stand up.

Guru is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Harlequin has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Harlequin!
Harlequin trying to control the position from guard on top but Guru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Guru controls Harlequin momentarily but Harlequin frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guru looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Harlequin won't allow Guru to sweep him here.
Guru keeping full guard, as Harlequin tries to pass.
Harlequin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Guru wants to improve his position but Harlequin is controlling well.

Harlequin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Guru sees it coming and defends easily.
Harlequin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Guru defending well though.
Guru wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to get back to full guard but Harlequin takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Harlequin looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Guru can't escape the position.
Harlequin tries to control but Guru wriggling away.
Guru tries to reverse the position but Harlequin maintains control.
Guru regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru is trying to maintain the position but Harlequin is very close to passing his half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Harlequin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Guru does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Punchinello Harlequin really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ground Guru's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Guru shoots in but no luck this time.

Harlequin closes the distance and pushes Guru back into the cage.
Guru is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Harlequin is defending well.
Harlequin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Guru backwards.
Harlequin lands with a short shot to the head.
Guru misses with a hook from the clinch.
Harlequin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Harlequin misses with a punch to the body.
Harlequin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Harlequin.
Guru takes a shot to the head.
Guru jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Harlequin walks away with a smile on his face. Guru gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Oooooh!!! Harlequin has knocked Guru down with a huge combo! Harlequin steps away and waves a wobbly Guru back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Guru is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Harlequin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Oh Guru is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Guru jumps guard but Harlequin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from Harlequin - that landed with a thud.
Harlequin lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Guru to his knees! Harlequin keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Punchinello Harlequin!
A very excited looking Punchinello Harlequin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.