PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Scot Harwath (ranked 1140 p4p, 730 weight class) and Doko Dokov (ranked 171 p4p, 107 weight class). Doko Dokov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Harwath
vs
Dokov

182 cm
25
175
13 - 4 - 0

178 cm
30
170
11 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Scot Harwath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Doko Dokov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Harwath. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Harwath.

It looks like Doko Dokov has been cut.
Dokov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Dokov is looking to clinch but Harwath is avoiding it.
Dokov moves out of range as Harwath strikes.
Harwath thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dokov slips a straight right by Harwath.

Dokov moves into the clinch.
Harwath blocks an elbow strike from Dokov.
Harwath pushes Dokov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Harwath.
Harwath misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dokov blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Dokov.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
Harwath lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Harwath misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dokov misses with a punch on the inside.
Dokov scores with a shot to the side of Harwath's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dokov gets through Harwath's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Harwath misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.

Dokov drags the fight down to the ground.
Harwath postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dokov trying to keep a closed guard but Harwath is proving a slippery customer.
Harwath throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dokov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Dokov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harwath defends well.
Dokov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Harwath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Dokov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Harwath is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Harwath working aggressively here.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
Harwath misses with a punch on the inside.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Harwath misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harwath lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dokov backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dokov misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Harwath fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Harwath blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dokov.
Dokov blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Harwath misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Harwath.
Harwath blocking some punches.
Dokov misses with the head strike.
Dokov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Dokov misses with the head strike.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Dokov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Harwath swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dokov swings wildly with an uppercut but Harwath uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dokov.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Harwath throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dokovs head.
Harwath misses with the head strike.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Harwath fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Harwath working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Harwath.
Harwath working aggressively here.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Dokov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dokov blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Harwath has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Dokov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Harwath backwards.

Dokov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dokov tries to close the distance and clinch but Harwath swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Dokov moves into the clinch successfully.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Harwath swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Scot Harwath dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Doko Dokov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Harwath smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Harwath pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Harwath misses the jab.

Dokov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Dokov avoids the strikes from the bottom by Harwath.
Harwath misses with a strike from the bottom.
Dokov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Dokov blocks the strikes from Harwath.

Dokov decides to stand back up.
Dokov drops his hands momentarily and Harwath takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Harwath waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dokov.

Dokov clinches up with Harwath and pushes him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harwath swings wildly with an uppercut but Dokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Harwath creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Dokov struggles to land a body shot inside as Harwath controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dokov trying to stall but Harwath improves his position.
Harwath blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harwath working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Harwath avoids a wild elbow strike from Dokov.
Harwath misses with a short punch on the inside.
Harwath is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dokov can do to turn this around?
Dokov lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dokov.
Harwath swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Harwath misses with a hook from the clinch.
Harwath fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Harwath misses with a punch on the inside.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dokov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Dokov blocks an uppercut.
Harwath misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harwath.
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Dokov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Harwath lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dokov blocking some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dokov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dokov struggles to land a body shot inside as Harwath controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harwath.
Harwath misses with the head strike.
Harwath being controlled against the cage.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Dokov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Harwath avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Harwath misses with a punch on the inside.
Dokov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Harwath smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dokov moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Harwath.
Harwath throws a head punch that misses.
Dokov blocks an uppercut.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Harwath swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Scot Harwath has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Harwath swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dokov blocking some punches.
Dokov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Dokov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Harwath smiles and moves away.
Scot Harwath has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doko Dokov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harwath misses with an uppercut. Dokov saw that one coming.
Dokov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Dokov tries to clinch but Harwath is having none of it.
An attempted straight right counter from Harwath misses the target.
Harwath misses with a lunging right hand
and Dokov counters with a series of strikes. Harwath will be more careful next time no doubt.
Scot Harwath seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dokov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harwath.
Nice takedown defense from Harwath. No joy for Dokov on that attempt.
A jab from Harwath misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harwath throws out a loose jab but Dokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harwath keeps the fight on the outside.
Harwath rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dokov counters with a two punch combo.
Harwath seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Dokov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Harwath but Harwath pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Scot Harwath is winning the standup battle so far.
A big right from Harwath misses.
A little jabbing left from Dokov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dokov takes one on the button.
Harwath pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dokov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That has opened up Doko Dokov's cut even more.
Harwath throws a lazy right hand but Dokov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Dokov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Dokov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Scot Harwath dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Doko Dokov's cut.
That's time! Harwath's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Harwath misses with an uppercut.
Harwath is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dokov.
Dokov blocks a jab.
Dokov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dokov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Harwath manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Harwath misses with a hook
and Dokov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Harwath keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice uppercut lands for Harwath. That snapped Dokov's head back.

Dokov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dokov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
Harwath blocks a body shot from Dokov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harwath tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Harwath lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Harwath lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dokov backwards.
Harwath throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.

Dokov manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Harwath forces Dokov back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harwath misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Harwath fails to land.
Harwath misses with some punches.
Dokov misses with a punch to the body.

Dokov gets control of Harwath's arms and successfully pulls guard. Dokov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Harwath working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dokov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Harwath is controlling him.
Harwath won't allow Dokov to sweep him here.
Doko Dokov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harwath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dokov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harwath.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harwath stops Dokov from standing up.
Dokov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Harwath scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Harwath with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dokov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Harwath's guard.

Harwath looking for a sweep. Not yet Harwath, not yet.
Scot Harwath is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dokov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harwath pulls Dokov in to control the position.
Harwath wants to sweep here but Dokov controlling him for the moment.

Dokov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Harwath, up you get!
Dokov swinging wildly here.
Dokov defending well as Harwath loads up on a big left hand.

Harwath rushes Dokov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for Dokov to work.
Dokov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Doko Dokov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Dokov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Harwath lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dokov working aggressively here.
Harwath blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Harwath misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Harwath.
Dokov is trying to break free.
Dokov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dokov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Harwath misses with the head strike.
Dokov misses with some punches.
Harwath blocks an uppercut.

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 Scot Harwath.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Harwath, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

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