PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keijo Harkimo (ranked 9478 p4p, 225 weight class) and Taras Shevchenko (ranked 2788 p4p, 108 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Harkimo
vs
Shevchenko

214 cm
46
262 lbs
35 - 27 - 1

190 cm
32
265 lbs
24 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

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 35 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Keijo Harkimo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Taras Shevchenko!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shevchenko looks to throw the jab but Harkimo is out of range.
Harkimo throws a jab when Shevchenko was well out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Shevchenko misses.
Shevchenko avoids the head kick by Harkimo.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shevchenko! But no joy.
Shevchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Harkimo.
Harkimo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shevchenko.
Harkimo throwing a counter right hand but Shevchenko manages to avoid it.
Shevchenko swinging wildly here.
Harkimo appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Harkimo throws a lazy uppercut
and Shevchenko counters with a straight right hand.

Shevchenko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Harkimo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shevchenko trying to control the action but Harkimo is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harkimo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shevchenko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkimo is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Shevchenko takes a little break here. Harkimo wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Harkimo is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Shevchenko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Harkimo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Shevchenko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Shevchenko advances to mount.
Shevchenko dominating with strikes here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shevchenko is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Shevchenko has hold of Harkimo's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harkimo manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko dominating with strikes here.
Harkimo in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Harkimo is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harkimo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Shevchenko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shevchenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shevchenko looking to control but Harkimo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shevchenko looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Harkimo covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Taras Shevchenko!
During a confident post fight interview, Taras Shevchenko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.