PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luke Higginson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Harlamov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harlamov has chosen Elka - Gorod Obmana as his entrance music. Yuri Harlamov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Higginson
vs
Harlamov

182 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

179 cm
28
185 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luke Higginson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Harlamov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higginson slips a straight right by Harlamov.
Harlamov lands the left hand.
Harlamov throws the left hand but Higginson avoids the punch easily.
Sloppy strikes from Harlamov. Those never looked like landing.
Higginson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Higginson lands with a nice body punch.
Higginson avoids the body shot from Harlamov.
Harlamov misses with the combination.
Harlamov misses with a wild combination.
Higginson avoids the body shot from Harlamov.
Higginson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harlamov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Higginson.
Harlamov misses with the combination.
Harlamov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Higginson on the side of the head.
Higginson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Higginson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Harlamov.
Harlamov misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlamov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Higginson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Harlamov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Harlamov misses with a looping right.
Higginson takes a swing at Harlamov's ribcage but misses.
Higginson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yuri Harlamov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Higginson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Harlamov scores with a sloppy right hand. Higginson should have avoided that one.
Higginson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Harlamov throws out a powerful jab.
Higginson is looking to land body kicks.
Higginson is looking to wear down Harlamov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Higginson shoots in looking for a takedown but Harlamov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Higginson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Harlamov throws a series of punches but Higginson moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Harlamov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Higginson doesn't seem phased though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higginson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Higginson lands a jab to Harlamov's midsection.
Harlamov throws a right hand that Higginson ducks under and follows up with a left that Higginson also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov throws a poor cross that misses
and Higginson counters with a nice uppercut.
Higginson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Harlamov swivels and escapes.
Donk. Harlamov catches Higginson right on the button with a cross.
Harlamov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Harlamov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Higginson circles away quickly and effectively.
Higginson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Higginson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Harlamov misses with a shot to the body
and Higginson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Harlamov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Harlamov checks a leg kick.
Higginson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Harlamov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Higginson counters with a body kick.
Harlamov catches Higginson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A swing and a miss from Harlamov.
Higginson staying out of range there.
Yuri Harlamov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov lands a jab to Higginson's midsection.
Harlamov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Higginson swings for the body but Harlamov moves out of range.
Harlamov lands with an overhand left.
Harlamov ducks under a wild hook from Higginson.
Harlamov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Harlamov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Harlamov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Higginson thows a body kick. Harlamov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Harlamov looks winded!
Higginson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Harlamov. That did some damage!
Higginson misses with a body shot.
Harlamov blocks the body kick.
Harlamov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Higginson eats them both and turns towards Harlamov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higginson scores with a push kick.
Harlamov throws an off balance right hand
and Higginson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Harlamov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginson shoots in looking for a takedown but Harlamov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Higginson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Higginson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higginson misses the jab.
Harlamov misses with a hook.
Harlamov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Higginson had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Harlamov misses with a series of wild punches.
Harlamov misses with the combination.
Higginson connects with an inside leg kick.
Higginson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Harlamov pinned against the cage. Harlamov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Harlamov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Higginson counters with a stiff right hand.
Higginson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Harlamov tries to bum rush Higginson with a series of wild strikes but Higginson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harlamov misses with a hook. Higginson ducked under it nicely.
Higginson moves away from the strike by Harlamov.
Harlamov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Higginson.
Harlamov misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yuri Harlamov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Higginson scores with a leg kick.
Harlamov scores with a hook to the body. Higginson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Harlamov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higginson was well out of range. Poor timing from Harlamov.
Harlamov throws a nice looking combination but Higginson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Higginson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harlamov was well out of range. Poor timing from Higginson.
Yuri Harlamov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A chopping leg kick lands by Higginson.
Some bone on bone action there as Harlamov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Higginson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Harlamov misses with a wild body shot.
Higginson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Harlamov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Higginson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Higginson.
Harlamov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higginson.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Higginson. Harlamov shrugs it off though.
Harlamov is breathing heavily.
Harlamov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Higginson throws a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Harlamov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Higginson doesn't seem phased though.
A solid body kick from Higginson.
Harlamov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Higginson back to the cage. Harlamov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Higginson misses with a hook.
Harlamov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Higginson.
Higginson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Harlamov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Harlamov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Higginson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Higginson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Higginson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Higginson tests Harlamov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Higginson lands the left hand.
Higginson misses the shot to the body.
Harlamov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A good leg kick by Higginson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higginson staying out of range there.
Higginson throws a series of punches but Harlamov moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Higginson.
Nice uppercut there from Harlamov.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Higginson - that will leave a mark!
Harlamov blocks a head kick by Higginson.
Horrible takedown by Higginson or perhaps it was just good defense by Harlamov which made him look bad.
Higginson throws a body kick that misses.
Harlamov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Higginson. Higginson obviously looking to wear him down.
Harlamov misses the shot to the body.
Harlamov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higginson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Luke Higginson is winning the standup battle so far.
Higginson misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Higginson.
Harlamov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Higginson manages to avoid it.
Higginson avoids the body shot from Harlamov.
Higginson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Harlamov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Higginson!
Higginson looks for a takedown but Harlamov sprawls well.
Higginson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harlamov.
Higginson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Harlamov's sensitive parts.
Harlamov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Harlamov lands a nice shot that snaps Higginson's head back.
Higginson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Harlamov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Higginson scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginson keeps Harlamov at a distance using the push kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Higginson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Harlamov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Higginson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Higginson tries to move to mount but Harlamov blocks the move with his legs.

Higginson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Higginson tries to move to mount but Harlamov blocks the move with his legs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Harlamov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Higginson.
Harlamov wants to get back to his feet but Higginson drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Higginson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Higginson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Harlamov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Higginson counters with a nice body kick.
Harlamov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Higginson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Harlamov. That did some damage!
Higginson tries to land a leg kick but Harlamov saw it coming and moves away.
A jab lands there for Higginson.
Higginson throws a hook but Harlamov blocks it.
Harlamov throws a body punch but Higginson moves out of range.
Higginson lunges at Harlamov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Harlamov's hand.
Higginson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Harlamov tests Higginson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Harlamov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Harlamov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Harlamov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Higginson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Harlamov scrambles back to his feet.
Harlamov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginson moves away from the strike by Harlamov.
Higginson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Harlamov takes a swing at Higginson's ribcage but misses.

Higginson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Harlamov to the ground. Higginson is now in Harlamov's guard.
Harlamov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Higginson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harlamov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Higginson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Harlamov's guard.

Higginson wants to work for an arm triangle but Harlamov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Higginson wants to free his trapped foot but Harlamov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Harlamov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Harlamov won't allow Higginson to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harlamov is trying to stand up here but Higginson is controlling him well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Harlamov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Higginson.
Higginson wants to stand up but Harlamov is controlling the position.

Harlamov kicks Higginson off and gets back to his feet.
Higginson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harlamov.
Higginson misses with a left hand
and Harlamov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Harlamov swings for the body but Higginson moves out of range.
Higginson throws a body kick that misses.
Higginson moves out of range of the strikes.
Harlamov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Higginson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Harlamov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Harlamov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Higginson manages to avoid it.
Harlamov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Higginson manages to avoid it.
Higginson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Higginson lands with a slapping head kick.
Higginson throws the left hand but Harlamov avoids the punch easily.
Harlamov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Harlamov slips a jab from Higginson.
Higginson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Higginson takes a swing at Harlamov's ribcage but misses.
Harlamov looks to land a left hand but Higginson moved out of range nicely.
Harlamov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Higginson manages to avoid it.
Harlamov scores with a jab to the body.
Harlamov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Higginson.
Higginson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Harlamov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harlamov. Higginson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Higginson scores with a jab to the body.
Harlamov throws out a loose jab but Higginson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harlamov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harlamov throws a hook to the side of Higginson's head but Higginson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Harlamov leaves Higginson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Harlamov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harlamov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Higginson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Harlamov moves out of range as Higginson throws a body kick.
Higginson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harlamov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harlamov slips a straight right by Higginson.
Harlamov throws a looping overhand right but Higginson ducks down to avoid it.
Harlamov throws a series of strikes that have Higginson backpedaling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Higginson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Higginson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

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