PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Garik Harlamov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boogie Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garik Harlamov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Harlamov
vs
Knight

206 cm
43
275 lbs
42 - 23 - 1

186 cm
30
212 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Phantom Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 23 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Garik Harlamov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Boogie Knight!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knight scores with a jab to the body.
Harlamov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harlamov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Knight can pounce on him.
Knight throws a sloppy head kick and Harlamov moves out of range easily.
Knight pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Knight tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knight throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Harlamov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Our spies down at at Barbell Brigade - $1000 inform us that Knight has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Harlamov throws a strike but Knight rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Harlamov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Knight has passed into half guard!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.
Knight seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Harlamov has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Harlamov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Harlamov with the active half guard here but Knight passes nicely into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harlamov is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlamov struggling a bit here.
The referee asks Knight politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Knight prefers to stall for the moment though.
Knight trying to control the position but Harlamov is working away.
Harlamov seems a little lost for a moment, as Knight dominates the positioning.
Harlamov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Harlamov looking for submissions off his back.
Knight is trying to control. Harlamov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Harlamov tries to get to full guard but Knight has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Harlamov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Knight pulls his head out easily.
Knight landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Harlamov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Knight wants to take a breather but Harlamov is having none of it.

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.
Harlamov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Knight.

Harlamov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Harlamov is not content to let Knight control the position.
Knight prevents Harlamov from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight tries to stand but can't do so whilst Harlamov controls his leg.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Harlamov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Harlamov wants to control but Knight is keeping busy.

Harlamov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Harlamov is trying to get back to full guard.
Harlamov has a hand on Knight's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Knight takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Knight looking to ground and pound but Harlamov is blocking nicely.
Harlamov is squirming around, avoiding Knight's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov tries to lock up and control but Knight gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Knight controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harlamov is looking to improve his position but Knight isn't that keen on the idea.
Knight looking to control but Harlamov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Harlamov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Harlamov tries to lock up and control but Knight gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harlamov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Harlamov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boogie Knight dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Knight fails to land with a series of punches.
Harlamov misses with a takedown attempt - Knight sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knight loads up on a big right hand but Harlamov slips the punch.
Harlamov dives in for a single leg takedown but Knight sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Knight throws a fast counter high kick but Harlamov manages to duck under it in time.

Knight scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Harlamov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Knight working the ground and pound but Harlamov is defending the strikes.
Knight has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knight in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Harlamov is trying to control Knight's posture but Knight avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlamov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight tries to stand but Harlamov is controlling his head.
Harlamov is trying to control Knight's posture but Knight avoids it.
Knight remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Knight trying to control the position but Harlamov is working away.
Knight lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Harlamov down.
Knight working away.
Knight misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Knight tries for a kimura but Harlamov is defending well.
Harlamov tries to buck Knight off but Knight is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Harlamov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Harlamov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Knight sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Harlamov is not content to let Knight control the position.

Harlamov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Harlamov wants to control but Knight is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Knight thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Harlamov tries to get to full guard but Knight has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Harlamov is not content to let Knight control the position.
Knight slips a nice elbow through Harlamov's hands, connecting with Harlamov's forehead.

Harlamov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Knight is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Knight is trying to control. Harlamov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Harlamov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Knight wants to control but Harlamov is keeping him busy.

That's four 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.
Ground and pound from Knight.
Knight not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Harlamov is not content to let Knight control the position.
Knight stalling.

Harlamov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Knight missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Harlamov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Knight's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Knight's back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Knight preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Harlamov.

Harlamov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boogie Knight showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Harlamov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Knight.
Boogie Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harlamov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knight sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Harlamov somewhat.
Harlamov slips a jab from Knight.

Harlamov gets tackled into the cage by Knight. Knight maintains the clinch.

Knight's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Knight fails in his attempt to clinch.

Knight takes the fight into the clinch.
Knight with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight wants to get back to striking at distance but Harlamov won't allow it.
Knight trying to control the position but instead, Harlamov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Knight into the cage.
Knight lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Harlamov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knight throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Harlamov takes a knee to the side of the body.

Harlamov has hold of one of Knight's legs. Knight is fighting the takedown attempt but Harlamov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Harlamov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knight is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Knight works his way into side control.
Knight content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight cracks Harlamov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Knight controls the position from side control.
Knight working the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An elbow from Knight crashes against the mat.
Knight wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harlamov keeps working.
Harlamov defending against the ground and pound.
Knight misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Knight is putting a hurting on Harlamov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Harlamov regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Harlamov is looking to improve his position.
Knight throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Knight thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Harlamov's head.
Knight landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Knight wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harlamov keeps working.
Knight trying to control the pace.
Knight wants to take a breather but Harlamov is having none of it.
Garik Harlamov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knight is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.
Harlamov has hold of Knight's hands but Knight slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harlamov keeps working.

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.
Knight wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harlamov keeps working.

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.

Harlamov actively working from the bottom here.
Knight not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knight performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Harlamov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boogie Knight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Knight has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boogie Knight!
After winning the bout, Boogie Knight thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.