PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Reach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Harbor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reach comes to the cage accompanied by Here's Johnny. Johnny Reach could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Harbor's chin.

Reach
vs
Harbor

195 cm
36
195 lbs
39 - 15 - 2

184 cm
37
203 lbs
37 - 29 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Bullet Proof System

Voodoo Nutrition
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 15 - 2, fighting out of New York, Johnny Reach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 29 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Harbor!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harbor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Reach's hands.
Harbor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Harbor misses the jab.
Reach seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Harbor cracks Reach with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Harbor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Harbor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reach.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
Reach throws a body kick that misses
letting Harbor counter with a right hand.
Harbor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reach.
Harbor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Harbor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reach moves away.
Reach takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice takedown defense from Reach. No joy for Harbor on that attempt.
Reach misses with a looping left.
Harbor has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Harbor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reach counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor throws an overhand right that lands on Reach's shoulder, as Reach tries to avoid the shot.
James Harbor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harbor scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circling - Harbor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Reach avoids the body shot from Harbor.
Harbor lands with a good body shot.
Reach misses with a left hand
and Harbor counters with a left to the body.
Reach throws a head kick but Harbor moves out of range.
Harbor changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Reach scores with a jab.
Reach walks into a jab.
Reach's jab looks to have found its range, popping Harbor under the eye.
Good exchange - Reach coming out on top.

Harbor is rocked!
Reach misses with a hook
and Harbor counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reach feints and then cracks Harbor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Harbor down.
Harbor smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Harbor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Reach counters by moving into the clinch.
Harbor trying to stall but Reach improves his position.
Harbor takes a shot to the head.
Reach tries a body shot but Harbor blocks it.

Reach breaks the clinch.
Harbor slips under a jab from Reach.
Harbor looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Harbor misses with a hook
and Reach counters with a head kick.
Harbor is still on wobbly legs! Can Reach finish him?
Harbor takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Harbor seems to have recovered his senses.
Reach with a jab.
Reach throws a looping overhand right but Harbor ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reach looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Johnny Reach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Harbor misses with a takedown attempt
and Reach counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Johnny Reach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harbor.
Reach waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Harbor.

Harbor drives through with a takedown into guard.
Reach is trying to keep Harbor in close.
Harbor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Harbor wants to control from the top but Reach keeps moving.
Harbor throws a big elbow that misses.
Harbor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Harbor throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reach keeping moving, preventing Harbor from controlling successfully.
Harbor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harbor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reach managing to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Harbor postures up in Reach's guard and throws a big left but Reach blocks it.
Harbor connects with a couple of short punches.
Harbor wants to control from the top but Reach keeps moving.
Reach will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Reach controlling Harbor's posture.
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 Johnny Reach will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Reach scores with a jab to the body.
Reach's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Harbor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Reach scrambles back to his feet.
Reach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Harbor.
Harbor throws a body shot but no joy.
Reach went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Johnny Reach is winning the standup battle so far.
Reach throws a series of punches but Harbor moves out of range.
A cross from Harbor lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harbor cracks Reach with an open hand slap.
Harbor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reach fires out a quick counter leg kick but Harbor just manages to avoid it.
Harbor on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Reach throws a low kick, looking for Harbor's leg but Harbor calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Harbor.
It looked like Reach was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Harbor connects with a nice looking jab.
Reach looks to land a right hand but Harbor moved out of range.
And Harbor tries to counter it with a takedown but Reach pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Harbor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reach.
Reach throws a hook but Harbor blocks it.
Reach moves out of range of the strikes.
Harbor throws a shot from downtown. Reach moves away and avoids it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Reach.
Reach on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor misses the jab.
Harbor misses the jab.
Reach tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Reach moves into the clinch.
Reach tries to work over Harbor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Reach takes a shot to the head.

Harbor decides to pull guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harbor is adopting a defensive guard.
Reach tries to stand but Harbor is controlling from the bottom.
Harbor is trying to control the position but Reach postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harbor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Harbor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Harbor has Reach pulled in close to control his posture.
Reach wanted to stand there but Harbor had control of the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Harbor missing with a left hand there. Reach was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reach steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Harbor.
Harbor looks to score with a jab to the body but Reach is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Reach lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Harbor lands with a shot to the body.
Reach on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Reach looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Harbor connects with a right hand. Reach shakes it off.
Reach lands a lovely overhand right.
Reach slips a jab from Harbor.
Reach is looking to score with low kicks.
Harbor closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Harbor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Reach.
Reach throws a front kick aimed at Harbor's knee but Harbor avoids it well.
Reach throws the left hand but Harbor avoids the punch easily.
A little jabbing left from Harbor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Harbor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Harbor throws a body shot but no joy.
Reach takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Reach tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reach lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good standup being displayed there by Reach as he connects with a hook.
Reach looks for the body kick but Harbor saw that one coming.
Harbor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Reach but Reach pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harbor misses with a lunging right hand
and Reach counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Reach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Harbor.
Harbor misses with a left hand
letting Reach counter with a right hand.
Harbor misses with a lunging right hand
and Reach cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reach keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harbor.
Reach throws a quick counter kick to the body but Harbor avoids it.
Harbor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Harbor ducks right into an uppercut from Reach.
Harbor feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reachs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Harbor misses with a right hand

and Reach counters with a crisp one two that drops Harbor! Reach thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Harbor to his feet! Harbor is in big trouble!
Harbor slips a straight right by Reach.
Harbor takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Reach moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harbor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Harbor jumps guard.
Reach preventing the sweep.
Reach showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Harbor wants to control from the top but Reach keeps moving.
Reach is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Harbor trying to control the position from guard on top but Reach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reach trying to control the position here.
Harbor is looking to work some ground and pound but Reach has wrist control.
Reach has Harbor pulled in close to control his posture.
Harbor throwing strikes from guard but Reach blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Harbor postures up and lands a big shot to Reach's brow.
James Harbor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harbor postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Reach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Reach working a defensive guard here.
Reach pulls Harbor in close to his closed guard and prevents Harbor from doing any damage or advancing position.
Harbor's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Harbor.
Reach looks to land a combination but Harbor avoids it well.
Harbor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reach is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Harbor dodges the punch combination from Reach.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but James Harbor just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Harbor jabs at Reach's body.
Reach works the jab nicely.
A jab from Reach misses.
Harbor looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Harbor avoids the head kick by Reach.
Reach closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Harbor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reach.
A telegraphed right hand from Harbor misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reach jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Harbor scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Reach doesn't seem bothered though.
Harbor looks to land a combination but Reach avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Reach misses the target.
Harbor scores with a sloppy right hand. Reach should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor throws a jab when Reach was well out of range.
Reach tried to counter with a leg kick but Harbor avoided it.
Nice defenses there by Harbor.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Harbor.
Harbor prevents Reach from escaping the position.
Reach managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Harbor.
Harbor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Harbor wants to control but Reach is keeping him busy.
Harbor tries to score with some ground and pound. Reach controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Reach is trying to get back to half guard.
Reach struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor lands a nice forearm strike.
Reach tries to buck Harbor off but Harbor is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Reach's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Reach dodges the ground and pound from Harbor.
Reach is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Harbor lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Harbor thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harbor thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Reach's head.
Harbor trying to advance position but Reach counters by regaining guard.
Harbor lands a couple of elbows.
Harbor throwing strikes but missing.
Harbor cracks Reach with a solid left hand.
Reach not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harbor's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Harbor trying to control but Reach is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor stands up over Reach, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Harbor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Harbor controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Harbor trying to control the position from guard on top but Reach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reach working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harbor.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harbor misses with a straight right.
Reach is looking to counter punch.
Harbor lands a right hook to the body.
Harbor takes a swing at Reach's ribcage but misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Reach misses its target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Harbor dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Harbor misses with a hook.
Harbor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reach is fending him off so far but Harbor persists. Nope, Reach circles away and we're back to standing.
It looked like Reach wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harbor. Reach does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reach smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Reach misses with a right hand
and Harbor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reach bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Harbor throws a lazy right hand but Reach sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reach throws a big counter combination but Harbor scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Harbor looks to land a left hand but Reach moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harbor ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Harbor slips a jab from Reach.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harbor. Reach does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Reach. Beautiful body shot.
Reach ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Reach misses the jab.
Harbor misses the jab.
Harbor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Reach on the side of the head.
Reach fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Harbor is out of range.
Harbor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Reach throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Reach goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A jab lands there for Harbor.
Johnny Reach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor misses with a right hand
and Reach counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice cross by Reach.
Harbor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Harbor misses with a wild body shot.
Reach lands a nice looking body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reach ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Harbor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Harbor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Harbor moves out of range of the strikes.
Harbor on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harbor shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Reach's guard.
Reach pulls Harbor in close to his closed guard and prevents Harbor from doing any damage or advancing position.
Harbor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harbor postures up in Reach's guard and throws a big left but Reach blocks it.
Harbor throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reach has Harbor pulled in close to control his posture.
Harbor trying to control but Reach is working from the bottom.
Harbor throwing strikes from guard but Reach blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reach works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Harbor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Harbor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reach.
Reach throws a lazy body kick

so Harbor counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Reach holds on and takes a little breather.
Reach trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Reach has his foot on Harbor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Harbor works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harbor's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
James Harbor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Harbor trying to control but Reach is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Harbor.
I think Harbor has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Harbor!
James Harbor is the new middleweight champion!
Our winner, James Harbor, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.