PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Harden (ranked 5257 p4p, 529 weight class) and Brajan Aleksander (ranked 7708 p4p, 626 weight class). Brajan Aleksander looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Harden
vs
Aleksander

185 cm
19
192 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
189 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Harden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brajan Aleksander!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Chris Dean and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harden clinches up with Aleksander and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Harden.

Harden breaks from the clinch.
Aleksander shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aleksander doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Harden counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Brajan Aleksander has been cut.
Aleksander throws a sloppy head kick
and Aleksander takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Harden connects with a single shot there.
Aleksander is looking to clinch but Harden is avoiding it.
Aleksander throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Harden's waist but Harden gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aleksander off to one side.
James Harden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brajan Aleksander.
Aleksander shoots and misses
and Harden counters with a right hand to the body.
Aleksander looks winded!
Aleksander takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Aleksander tries to keep at a distance but Harden has taken the fight into the clinch.
Aleksander can't get the takedown.
Aleksander tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Harden avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harden lands a hook that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
Harden scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Harden lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice body punch from Harden - that landed with a thud.
Harden lands with a left to the head.
Aleksander letting Harden take a breather here.
Harden has Aleksander pressed against the cage, preventing Aleksander from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A hook to the body from Harden.
Harden scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Aleksander misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Harden lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
Harden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aleksander is trying to break the clinch but Harden has him pressed against the cage.
Harden lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harden.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aleksander letting Harden take a breather here.
Stalling in the clinch from Harden.

Harden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Harden fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aleksander, pushing him back against the cage.
Aleksander tries to stall but Harden uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Harden lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
Aleksander takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harden.
Harden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Harden lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A body shot lands from Harden.
Harden scores with a shot to the side of Aleksander's head.
Harden lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
Harden throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Aleksanders head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harden pushes Aleksander back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Harden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
A body shot lands from Harden.
Harden pushes Aleksander back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Aleksander is trying to push Harden away but Harden has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Aleksander tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Harden smiles and moves away.
Harden lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Brajan Aleksander seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aleksander fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've been told by Harden's head coaches at Doherty's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Harden darts in and clinches Aleksander up against the cage.

Harden manages to break the clinch.

Harden darts in and clinches Aleksander up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harden works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Harden is stalling here.
Harden blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Harden lands a body shot.
Harden gets underhooks to prevent Aleksander's takedown attempt.
A short left from Harden.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harden gets through Aleksander's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Harden lands a nice uppercut.
A short left from Harden.
Harden lands with a short shot to the head.
Harden lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.

Aleksander is rocked!
Aleksander tries to break free but Harden pushes him back against the cage.
Harden holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Harden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Harden dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brajan Aleksander's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aleksander shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Harden connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Harden is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aleksander can do to turn this around?
Aleksander wants to clinch but Harden slips to the side
and Harden counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aleksander is still on wobbly legs! Can Harden finish him?

Harden fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aleksander, pushing him back against the cage.
Harden gets through Aleksander's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Harden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Harden.

Harden escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Harden moves into the clinch.
James Harden has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Harden slowing the pace effectively.
Aleksander seems to have recovered his senses.
Harden gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aleksander.
A short right from Harden.
Aleksander is breathing heavily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Harden.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harden lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harden stalling against the cage.
Aleksander fails to pull the fight into his guard.
James Harden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brajan Aleksander.
Harden lands a nice uppercut.
Harden digs a right hand underneath Aleksander's ribcage. Aleksander let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Harden - that landed with a thud.
Harden lands a nice shot to the body.
Aleksander stalling in the clinch but Harden improves position.
Harden throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Harden dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Harden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Harden has Aleksander up against the cage in a clinch.
Harden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aleksander backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aleksander takes a shot to the head.

Harden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Harden lands with a good body shot.
Brajan Aleksander is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Aleksander tries to keep at a distance but Harden has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harden works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harden.
Harden scores with a shot to the side of Aleksander's head.
Harden lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Aleksander or not.
Harden lands with a left to the head.
Harden stalling against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Harden.
Aleksander tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Harden smiles and moves away.
Harden lands a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harden takes the fight into the clinch.
Aleksander wants to take the fight to the mat but Harden manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Harden scores with a shot to the side of Aleksander's head.
Harden cracks Aleksander with a nice body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Harden.
Aleksander letting Harden take a breather here.
Harden lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Harden.
Harden scores with a shoulder strike.
Harden leaning his opponent against the cage.
Harden stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harden presses Aleksander against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Harden pushes Aleksander back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Harden throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Harden is working Aleksander over against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harden scores with a shot to the side of Aleksander's head.
Harden lands a nice shot to the body.
Aleksander takes a shot to the head.
Harden pushes Aleksander against the cage. Harden is working some dirty boxing. Harden pushes off with a quick right hook! Aleksander goes down! Aleksander tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Harden moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Harden!
A victorious James Harden thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.