PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenuichio Harada (ranked 3760 p4p, 2482 weight class) and Michael MP (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Harada
vs
MP

199 cm
45
250
34 - 21 - 1

205 cm
33
274
20 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

PWNAGE

Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 21 - 1, fighting out of London, Kenuichio Harada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 23 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael MP!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MP throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Harada was covering up waiting for the punch and MP finishes the takedown easily into guard.

MP drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and MP jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
MP tries to free his leg and advance position but Harada is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harada tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Harada working a defensive guard but MP passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harada wants to control but MP is keeping busy and won't allow it.
MP looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

MP is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

MP is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Harada defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harada manages to get to full guard.

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

Harada working for submissions but it's allowed MP to get to half guard.

MP is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Harada has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

MP seems to be looking for submissions.

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.
Harada is looking for a sweep. MP is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

MP looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

MP is trying to work for a kimura but Harada is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harada tries to get to full guard but MP has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Harada manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Harada is trying to control the position but MP postures up.

MP thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
MP passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Harada is looking to reverse the position.

MP wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Harada, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MP is trying to get an arm triangle but Harada is defending well.

MP tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no MP has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

MP thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

MP is trying to get an arm triangle but Harada is defending well.

MP is trying to get an arm triangle but Harada is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael MP dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

MP has a takedown stuffed.
Horrible takedown attempt by MP or perhaps it was just good defense by Harada, which made it look bad.
MP moves forwards but Harada connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Michael MP is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Harada swings for the body but MP moves out of range.
MP uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harada.
MP with the counter takedown but Harada avoids it easily.
MP blocks a head kick by Harada.
Harada stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Harada wants it to stay on the feet.
Kenuichio Harada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael MP.
No luck for MP with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harada scoring well with a low kick there.
Harada doesn't manage to clinch there - MP circles away.
Harada throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MP blocks a jab.
MP changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

MP closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

MP thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Harada gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Harada is looking for a sweep. MP is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

MP is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Harada sees it coming and defends easily.
MP prevents Harada from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harada regains full guard. Nicely done.

MP drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Harada manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now MP has Harada in his guard.

MP looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harada is one step ahead there.
Harada has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harada postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

MP is looking for a triangle but Harada pushes his legs off easily.

Harada avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

MP looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

MP looking for a guillotine here but Harada defends easily.
MP bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harada's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harada bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in MP's guard.

Harada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as MP works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harada throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Michael MP has got the better of the ground game so far.

MP working for a triangle but Harada defends it easily.
Harada postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MP keeping moving, preventing Harada from controlling successfully.

MP is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Harada is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenuichio Harada dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

MP shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harada sprawls well. Harada wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. MP gets slowly back to his feet.
MP has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from MP.
Harada keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kenuichio Harada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael MP.
Harada throws a head kick that misses.
Harada throws a body shot but no joy.
MP shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harada sprawls well. Harada wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. MP gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harada thumps MP with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harada lands with a straight right. MP didn't see that one coming.
MP has a takedown stuffed.
MP misses with a takedown attempt - Harada sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Harada tries to land a front kick but MP steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
MP fails to land the takedown.
MP closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harada circles away.
Harada feints and then cracks MP's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow MP down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from MP is defended easily by Harada.
MP takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Harada clinches up with MP and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
MP drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harada pulls his leg out and moves away.
MP uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harada.
MP changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Harada is looking to slow MP down with leg kicks.
MP shoots and misses
letting Harada counter with a right hand.

It looks like Michael MP has been cut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from MP.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
MP shoots in for a takedown but Harada shows good takedown defense.
A jab lands there for Harada.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Harada here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Harada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Harada lands a straight punch to the body, keeping MP at a distance.
Harada connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
MP closes the distance and clinches up with Harada, looking for a takedown. MP pushes Harada against the cage but Harada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Harada connects with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kenuichio Harada is winning the standup battle so far.
Harada scores with a leg kick.
Harada pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A good leg kick by Harada.
MP's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Harada gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

MP got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harada has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MP has managed to get both his arms back between Harada's legs - danger averted.
Harada is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Harada is looking to take a break and control but MP is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Harada is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MP gets full guard.

MP is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Harada passes MP's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harada is pressing down on MP's thigh, looking to free his foot. MP is holding on for now.
Harada moves into full mount! MP won't be happy about that!
MP is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenuichio Harada showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Harada 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenuichio Harada!
Kenuichio Harada took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Who's next!!! I want that money fight now!'.
The defeated Michael MP had this to say: 'shoutout to Sydney Fight Gear. They supported me throughout the harsh days. I will be back. and smash everybody in this weight division. and also come back as champion.'.