PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodel Hiligaynon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Don Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiligaynon comes to the cage accompanied by Down and Out . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hiligaynon
vs
Hall

170 cm
29
144 lbs
19 - 5 - 2

175 cm
32
155 lbs
29 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rodel Hiligaynon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Don Hall!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Hall misses.
Hall looks to land a combination but Hiligaynon avoids it well.
Hiligaynon throws an overhand right that lands on Hall's shoulder, as Hall tries to avoid the shot.
Hall scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hiligaynon doesn't seem bothered though.
Hall moves out of range of the strikes.

Hiligaynon closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hiligaynon trying to mount his opponent but Hall defends it.
Hall trying to control here.
Hiligaynon stalling.
Hall is refusing to be controlled, as Hiligaynon sits in half guard.
Hall is trying to maintain the position but Hiligaynon is very close to passing his half guard.

Hiligaynon is looking for a kimura but Hall is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hiligaynon to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hall knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hiligaynon trying to control the action but Hall is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hiligaynon is pressing down on Hall's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hall is holding on for now.

Hall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hiligaynon.
Hall is looking for a sweep. Hiligaynon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hall is trying to control but can't.
Hiligaynon content to control rather than advance.
Hall is refusing to be controlled, as Hiligaynon sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Hiligaynon wants to pass the guard but Hall is defending well.
Hiligaynon is stalling here. Hall is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hiligaynon seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hall has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Hiligaynon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hall's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hall trying to pass the guard but Hiligaynon defending well.
Hiligaynon tries to get to full guard but Hall has control of the leg.
Hiligaynon wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon is looking for a sweep. Hall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hall is trying to control. Hiligaynon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hall scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hiligaynon regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hiligaynon is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hall is controlling him.

Hall is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hall pushing down on Hiligaynon's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hiligaynon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hall's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hall's back!
Hall staying busy and making it hard for Hiligaynon to control.

Hiligaynon is looking for the choke from the back position but Hall is controlling his hands well.
Hall breaks Hiligaynon's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hiligaynon swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon keeping moving, preventing Hall from controlling successfully.
Hiligaynon looking to control.
Hiligaynon is looking to sweep but instead, Hall has passed into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hiligaynon wants to improve his position but Hall is controlling well.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hiligaynon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hiligaynon trying to control but Hall postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hiligaynon won't allow Hall to pass to mount.
Hiligaynon wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiligaynon is pressing down on Hall's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodel Hiligaynon dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hall displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hiligaynon throws out the jab.
Hiligaynon misses with a hook
and Hall counters with a nice body shot.
Hiligaynon misses with a body kick.
Hall lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hiligaynon circles away quickly and effectively.
Hall misses with a double jab.
Hall defending well as Hiligaynon loads up on a big left hand.
Hall uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiligaynon.
A big left from Hall misses.
Hall fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hiligaynon checks it well.
Rodel Hiligaynon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hiligaynon connects with a body shot that sends Hall's belly button to the back.
Hiligaynon misses with a straight left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hall. Hiligaynon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hiligaynon cracks the inside of Hall's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
No joy there for Hiligaynon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hall.

Hiligaynon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hiligaynon lands in his opponent's guard.
Hiligaynon wants to control from the top but Hall keeps moving.
Hiligaynon preventing the sweep.
Rodel Hiligaynon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hiligaynon showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hiligaynon wants to pass the guard but Hall is keeping the position.
Hiligaynon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hiligaynon is looking to advance position but Hall has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hiligaynon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hall looking to control and managing it successfully.

Hall is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hiligaynon has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Hall can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hiligaynon is looking to escape.
Hiligaynon tries to reverse the position but Hall maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking to work his way around to Hiligaynon's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Hiligaynon sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hiligaynon is staying active underneath Hall, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hall thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hiligaynon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hall is working away from the top position though.

Hall is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hiligaynon is just riding it out for now. Hall eventually gives up the hold.
Hiligaynon tries to get to full guard but Hall has control of the leg.
Hall looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hiligaynon with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Hall is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hiligaynon sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hiligaynon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hall pulls his head out easily.
Hiligaynon is looking to improve his position.
Hall wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hiligaynon keeps working.
Hiligaynon is looking to improve his position.

Hall seems to be working for a kimura but Hiligaynon defends the submission attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hiligaynon is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Don Hall will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hiligaynon gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hall to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hall stopping the sweep attempt from Hiligaynon.
Hall trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hiligaynon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hall postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hall looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hiligaynon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hiligaynon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hall sees it coming and defends easily.
Hall controlling the position for now.
Hiligaynon working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hall's thigh. Hall counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Hall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hiligaynon wants to pass the guard but Hall is keeping the position.
Hall working a defensive guard here.
Hall pulls Hiligaynon in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall controls Hiligaynon momentarily but Hiligaynon frees himself.

Don Hall has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hiligaynon misses with a looping left.
Hiligaynon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hall.
Hall displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hiligaynon.
Hall throws a right hand that Hiligaynon ducks under and follows up with a left that Hiligaynon also avoids with ease.
Hiligaynon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Hall clinches up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hall avoiding damage as Hiligaynon throws knees to the body.
Hiligaynon can't find room to land a body shot as Hall controls the action.
Hiligaynon with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon stalling in the clinch but Hall improves position.
Hall blocking some punches.
Hall blocks a body shot from Hiligaynon.

Hall breaks the clinch.

Hall feints and as Hiligaynon raises his hands in defense, Hall changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hall content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hiligaynon wants to sweep but no luck.

Hall drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hiligaynon dives on top into guard.
Hall seems keen to control Hiligaynon's posture.
Hall is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hiligaynon wants to control from the top but Hall keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hiligaynon tries to free his leg and advance position but Hall is retaining full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hiligaynon is one step ahead there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hall throws a leg kick but Hiligaynon sees it coming and moves out of range.
Don Hall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hall avoids a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hiligaynon looks for a takedown but Hall sprawls well.
Hall throws a right hand that Hiligaynon ducks under and follows up with a left that Hiligaynon also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Hall really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hiligaynon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A leg kick checked by Hall.
Don Hall seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hall avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hall throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hiligaynon misses with a head kick.
Hiligaynon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hall circles away.
Hiligaynon wants to land a leg kick but Hall is out of range.

Hiligaynon shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hall manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hiligaynon is one step ahead there.
Hiligaynon's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall working a defensive guard here.
Hiligaynon's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Rodel Hiligaynon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hall misses with a straight right.
Hall takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hall throws a leg kick

and Hiligaynon counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hiligaynon.
Hall looking to control.
Hall is controlling Hiligaynon's posture.
Hiligaynon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hall is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon pushing down on Hall's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hiligaynon 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.
Hall is looking for a sweep. Hiligaynon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hiligaynon is thwarting Hall's attempts to control the position.
Hall regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall keeping moving, preventing Hiligaynon from controlling successfully.
Hall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hiligaynon is one step ahead there.
Hiligaynon has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hall keeping full guard, as Hiligaynon tries to pass.
Hiligaynon trying to control but Hall is working from the bottom.
Hiligaynon is fighting to break Hall's control of his arms but Hall is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hiligaynon showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rodel Hiligaynon just wasn't active enough.
Hall closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiligaynon is just out of range.
Hall blocks a head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a hook to the side of Hall's head but Hall sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hall misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Hall.
A jab from Hall finds it's way through Hiligaynon's defenses.
Hiligaynon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hiligaynon scores with a takedown into Hall's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hall has control of Hiligaynon's left arm, preventing Hiligaynon from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodel Hiligaynon had his way with Don Hall in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A chopping leg kick lands by Hiligaynon.
Hall throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hiligaynon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hall cracks a nice hook into Hiligaynon's ribs.
Hiligaynon throws a leg kick but Hall sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hiligaynon throws a lazy uppercut
and Hall counters with a stiff right hand.
Hall throws the left hand but Hiligaynon avoids the punch easily.
Hall lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hiligaynon at a distance.
Hall misses with a wild combination.
Hall thows a body shot but no joy.
Hiligaynon looks to land a body kick but Hall moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hall takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.
Hiligaynon just misses with a punch to the body.
Hiligaynon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hall.
Hiligaynon tries to score with a low kick but Hall moves his leg out of the way.
Hall is looking to clinch.
Hiligaynon jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Hiligaynon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hall keeping moving, preventing Hiligaynon from controlling successfully.
Hiligaynon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hiligaynon trying to control the position from guard on top but Hall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon trying to move into half guard but instead Hall has managed to sweep!
Hall distracts Hiligaynon with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hiligaynon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hall is one step ahead there.
Hall pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hiligaynon is keeping the position for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hall sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hall is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hall tries to free his leg and advance position but Hiligaynon is retaining full guard.
Hiligaynon pulls Hall in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon can't keep his opponent in guard - Hall advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hall throwing shots but Hiligaynon is blocking nicely.
Hall is trying to control the action in half guard but Hiligaynon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hiligaynon wants to get back to his feet.
Hall with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Hiligaynon is not content to let Hall control the position.
Hiligaynon is looking to improve his position.
Hiligaynon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon can't keep his opponent in guard - Hall advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hiligaynon preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Hiligaynon regains full guard. Nicely done.

Hiligaynon has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hall off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hall uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hiligaynon has time to react.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall swings for the body but Hiligaynon moves out of range.
Hall connects with a body shot.
Hiligaynon throws out a leg kick but Hall moves out of range and Hiligaynon only half commits.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Don Hall.
I think Hall has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:48
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Don Hall!
Don Hall is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Don Hall made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.