PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam McNugget (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McNugget has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McNugget
vs
Higgins

169 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
130 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sam McNugget!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonathan Higgins!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNugget shoots in but Higgins avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McNugget is breathing heavily.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
McNugget throws a head kick that misses.

McNugget gets a clinch.
McNugget jumps guard but Higgins stands there with McNugget around his waist. McNugget gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McNugget fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam McNugget. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
Higgins misses with a knee to the head.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McNugget misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Higgins.
Higgins scores with a knee to the head.
Higgins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Higgins with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
Higgins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
Higgins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McNugget drops down looking for an ankle pick but Higgins pulls his leg out and moves away.
McNugget keeps the fight on the outside.
McNugget fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Higgins is out of range.
McNugget shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two 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.
Higgins stuffs the takedown attempt from McNugget. McNugget gets slowly back to his feet.
An inside leg kick from McNugget misses.
McNugget waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Higgins.
Higgins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Higgins takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McNugget gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Higgins counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Higgins would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Higgins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNugget throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

McNugget uses the cage to get back to his feet.

McNugget shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

McNugget postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Higgins to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McNugget fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Higgins, pushing him back against the cage.
McNugget wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McNugget missing with knees to the body.
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
Higgins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Higgins misses with a knee to the head.
McNugget stalling in the clinch but Higgins improves position.
McNugget wants to break free but Higgins has control.

McNugget has clasped his hands together around Higgins's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McNugget decides to stand up, so the ref orders Higgins to his feet.
McNugget gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Higgins.
Higgins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McNugget tries to land a knee to the head but Higgins blocks with his arms.
McNugget tries to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling the position.
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 Sam McNugget will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McNugget feints and as Higgins raises his hands in defense, McNugget changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Higgins keeping full guard, as McNugget tries to pass.
McNugget postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

McNugget stands up from Higgins's guard - McNugget perhaps looking for a knockout.

McNugget closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McNugget lands in his opponent's guard.
McNugget would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Higgins wants to stand but McNugget is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McNugget trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins is working an open guard so McNugget takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

McNugget rushes Higgins and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McNugget misses with a knee to the head.
Higgins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McNugget has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McNugget is trying to break free.
A nice glancing elbow lands by McNugget.
Higgins lands a knee to the head.
Higgins lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McNugget tries for a takedown. No joy.
Higgins scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Sam McNugget has been cut.
Higgins landing knees to the head.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McNugget wants to break the clinch but can't.
McNugget is looking to break free of the clinch but Higgins has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
McNugget tries to throw a body punch but Higgins avoids it by throwing McNugget back against the cage.
McNugget has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Higgins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
Higgins throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNugget blocks it with crossed arms.
Higgins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
Higgins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but McNugget blocks with his arms.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
McNugget takes a knee right on the jaw!
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
Higgins scores with a knee to the head.
Higgins throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNugget blocks it with crossed arms.
Higgins with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Higgins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins connects with a nasty looking knee right to McNugget's face.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Higgins with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McNugget has a couple of punches blocked by Higgins.
Higgins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Higgins prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam McNugget. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNugget drops down looking for an ankle pick but Higgins pulls his leg out and moves away.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but McNugget swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McNugget doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Higgins counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Higgins is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
McNugget gets back to full guard.
Higgins wants to stand but McNugget has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McNugget trying to control the position.
Higgins is looking to stand up but McNugget won't let him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
McNugget shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Higgins moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sam McNugget will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sam McNugget's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Higgins tries to clinch up

and McNugget moves into the clinch.
McNugget tries to pull guard but Higgins won't allow it.
McNugget tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McNugget is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
McNugget looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam McNugget. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higgins avoids the elbow strike from McNugget, against the cage.
McNugget misses with a hook from the clinch.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but McNugget is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McNugget is looking to control Higgins's arms but Higgins gets an underhook and turns him. Now McNugget has his back to the cage.
Higgins prevents the takedown attempt.
McNugget misses with a punch to the body.
Higgins connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Higgins with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a knee to the head.

McNugget breaks the clinch.
McNugget throws a sloppy head kick

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Higgins.
McNugget wants to break the clinch but can't.
McNugget has had enough of the clinch but Higgins keeps him there for the moment.
Higgins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
McNugget tries to pull guard but Higgins holds him up against the cage and eventually McNugget drops back down to his feet.
Higgins is pressed up against the cage. McNugget has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Higgins down to the mat. Higgins avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McNugget with a poor takedown

and Higgins counters with a nice double leg into guard.
McNugget tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Higgins has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of McNugget is proving hard to escape from.
McNugget manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McNugget scoring with strikes but Higgins is staying in there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
McNugget wants to control the pace but Higgins is squirming around nicely.
Higgins is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
McNugget with a couple of short strikes.
You get the feeling that Higgins really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Higgins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McNugget. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McNugget trying to control but Higgins is having none of it.
McNugget throws some wild stikes that Higgins manages to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries to buck McNugget off but he can't manage it.
McNugget unloads with some shots from mount but Higgins bucks and avoids them well.
Higgins blocking the ground and pound.
McNugget trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McNugget has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Higgins's face.
McNugget trying to control but Higgins is having none of it.
Higgins holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as McNugget tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

McNugget looking for a guillotine from mount but Higgins is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McNugget wants to control the pace but Higgins is squirming around nicely.
McNugget landing shots from mount.

McNugget jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Higgins manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Higgins avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McNugget.
McNugget has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Higgins is not content to let McNugget control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Higgins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McNugget 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam McNugget!