PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chase Harold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sal Watson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harold comes to the cage accompanied by marble floors. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Harold
vs
Watson

180 cm
24
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Unique Wear and Custom Design
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chase Harold!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sal Watson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harold gets a clinch.

Harold is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Watson can't fight it off and eventually Harold manages to take the fight to the floor. Watson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Harold stops Watson from standing up.
Harold trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Harold got a little sloppy there for a moment and Watson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Harold has managed to get both his arms back between Watson's legs - danger averted.
Watson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Harold is controlling him.
Harold distracts Watson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Harold is in close to Watson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Harold cracks Watson with a solid left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Watson wants to stand up but Harold is controlling him.
Harold landing some decent shots from guard.
Harold working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harold is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harold postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Watson looking for a sweep. Not yet Watson, not yet.
Watson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Harold postures up and lands a big shot to Watson's brow.
Harold postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Watson wants to stand up but Harold is controlling him.

Watson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Harold with a nice head shot there.
Harold stops Watson from standing up.
Harold 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.
Harold forces his way into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Harold lands a nice short elbow.
Harold prevents Watson from standing back up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Watson trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harold working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Harold winds up and cracks Watson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Watson has hold of Harold's hands but Harold slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harold scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Harold seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Harold working Watson over with strikes.
Harold lands strikes from half guard.
Harold is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Watson trying to control but Harold postures up.
Watson wants to get back to his feet.
Harold scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Harold prevents Watson from standing back up.
Harold scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Watson tries to kick Harold off but Harold keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harold seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Harold there.
Harold working Watson over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Harold lands a nice short elbow.
Harold drops an elbow to the side of Watson's head.
Watson tries to roll over but Harold keeps him under control.
Harold missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Watson wants to get back to full guard.
Harold trying to pass the guard but Watson defending well.
Watson gets full guard.
Harold slips nicely into half guard.
Harold takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Watson looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harold prevents Watson from standing back up.
Watson looks winded!
Harold working the head and body with strikes.
Harold seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Harold drops an elbow to the side of Watson's head.
Harold not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Harold scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Watson is trying to stand back up but Harold is controlling him
Watson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Watson taking some punishment here, with Harold in his half guard.

Harold is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chase Harold dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Watson scores with a nice head shot.
Watson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Harold but Harold pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Watson with a jab.
Harold takes one to the side of the head.

Watson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Harold turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Harold manages to end up in side control.
Watson wants to get back to his feet.
Harold scores with a couple of short elbows.
Watson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Harold in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watson wants to get back to his feet but Harold drags him back down.

Harold is trying to get an arm triangle but Watson is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harold in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Watson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Harold connects with a decent elbow.
Watson is looking to regain half guard here but Harold keeps moving and retains side control.
Harold prevents Watson from escaping the position.
Harold lands a few punches from side control.
Watson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Harold asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Watson is breathing heavily.
Watson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Watson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Harold. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Watson is looking for a sweep.
Watson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Harold scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Watson to see if he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harold lands a decent elbow from side control.
Watson can't do much from the bottom here.
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!
Watson wants to get back to his feet but Harold drags him back down.
Harold lands a few punches from side control.
Watson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Check out the look on Harold's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Watson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Harold has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Harold scoring with punches from side control.
Harold cracks Watson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Harold cracks Watson with a big elbow.
Harold lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harold lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Watson down.
Watson taking a bit of punishment here - Harold scoring with strikes.
Chase Harold overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harold in side control lands a decent elbow.

Harold is trying to get an arm triangle but Watson is defending well.
Harold lands a nice forearm strike.
Harold is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Watson can do to turn this around?
Watson stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Watson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Harold creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Watson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Watson is trying to get back to his feet.
Harold scores with punches from side control.
Harold prevents Watson from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harold landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Watson wants to control but Harold postures up.
Watson pushes Harold away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Harold gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Watson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Watson can't do much from the bottom here.
Harold working the head and body with strikes.
Watson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harold cracks Watson with a big elbow.
Watson can't do much from the bottom here.

Harold working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chase Harold dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Watson shoots in looking for a takedown but Harold manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Watson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Watson lands with an uppercut that bounces Harold off the cage and back into range.
Harold fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Watson avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice jab there from Watson.
Watson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Harolds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Watson.
Watson scores with a nice strike.
Watson throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harold walks into a straight right hand from Watson.

Watson moves into range and clinches up with Harold.
Watson lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harold tries to land knees in the clinch but Watson avoids the damage to the body.
Watson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Watson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Watson throws a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Harold.
Harold shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Watson defends it nicely.

Watson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Harold, pushing him back against the cage.
Watson is pressed up against the cage. Harold has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Watson down to the mat. Watson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chase Harold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Watson cracks Harold with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

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!

Watson clinches up against the cage.
Watson goes for a takedown attempt but Harold pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Harold slips a straight right by Watson.
Watson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Donk. Watson catches Harold right on the button with a cross.
Watson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Harold doesn't seem bothered though.
Harold takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Watson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Harold momentarily.
Watson connects with a jab.
Watson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Harold on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watson takes the fight into the clinch.

Watson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Watson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Watson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Watson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Watson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Harold keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Watson's efforts to push away.
Harold keeps control of Watson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Watson scores with a hook to the body.
Watson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Watson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Harold ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Harold no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Watson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Harold is proving hard to escape from.
Watson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Watson wants to get up but he can't break Harold's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Watson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watson works the jab nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watson throws a jab but it's blocked by Harold.
Watson misses with a straight right.

Watson pushes Harold up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Watson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Watson really dominated that round.
That's time! Harold's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Watson instigates a clinch.
Watson is trying to push Harold away but Harold has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Harold prevents Watson from breaking the clinch.
Harold has Watson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Watson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Harold jumps guard and drags Watson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Harold has a closed guard, preventing Watson from standing up.

Harold is working an open guard so Watson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Watson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Harold is fending him off so far but Watson persists. Nope, Harold circles away and we're back to standing.

Harold closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Watson did well to prevent Harold getting side control.
Watson wants to get back to his feet.
Watson scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Harold manages to mount him!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Watson is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harold is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Watson can't escape the position.
Harold has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Watson's face.
Watson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Watson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Harold scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Watson?
Watson is trying desperately to improve position.
Harold is in the full mount, landing strikes.
A nice elbow there by Harold.
Watson is trying to escape the mount.
Harold lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harold looking to secure an arm triangle but Watson defends it well.
Harold prevents Watson from getting the reversal.
Watson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watson is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Harold has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Watson's face.
Harold is landing with some decent strikes but Watson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Harold cracks Watson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Watson tries to hold on but Harold postures up.
Watson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Harold goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Watson is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watson trying to control but Harold is working from the bottom.
Harold on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Harold tries to get out of the position.
Watson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Watson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Watson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Watson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watson throws a lazy right hand but Harold sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sal Watson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watson misses with a straight right.
Harold takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Watson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Watson lands a slapping body shot.
Harold misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Harold has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watson throws a shot from downtown. Harold moves away and avoids it.
Watson thuds a left hand into Harold's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Sal Watson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Watson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Harold's head backwards.

Watson instigates a clinch.
Watson is trying to break the clinch but Harold has him pressed against the cage.
Watson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Harold gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Watson prevents the takedown attempt.

Harold lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Harold wants to work for an arm triangle but Watson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Harold throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Watson wants to get back to his feet.
Watson taking some punishment here, with Harold in his half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Watson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harold wants to pass to mount but Watson is defending the position.
Watson is trying to stand.
Harold is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Watson is in a horrible position here. Harold smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Harold won't let Watson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Harold cracks Watson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Watson tries to hold on but Harold pushes him away.
Watson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Harold landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harold scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Harold has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Watson's face.
Watson tries to hold on but Harold pushes him away.
Harold lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watson is looking to improve his position but Harold isn't that keen on the idea.
Harold is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Harold throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Watson because Harold loaded up on that one.
Watson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Watson gets back to full guard.
Watson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Harold wants to pass the guard but Watson is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watson wants to get back to his feet but Harold is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Watson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harold defends well.
Watson tries to strike from the bottom.
Watson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Watson wants to get back to his feet but Harold passes into half guard.
Harold uses his free foot to push down on Watson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Watson.
Harold breaks from Watson's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watson wants to get back to his feet.
Harold punishing his opponent with strikes.
Harold working the ground and pound effectively.
Watson is trying to escape the mount.
Watson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Watson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harold's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Chase Harold.
I think Harold has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chase Harold!
Chase Harold is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Chase Harold thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.