PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cooper Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rabihia Nahas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rabihia Nahas is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Higgins
vs
Nahas

175 cm
20
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
134 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cooper Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rabihia Nahas!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nahas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Higgins was covering up waiting for the punch and Nahas finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nahas wants to stand but Higgins has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Nahas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Higgins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nahas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nahas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Higgins controls Nahas momentarily but Nahas frees himself.
Nahas sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Higgins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nahas looking to pass the guard.
Higgins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nahas looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins 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.
Higgins throws a big right hand that misses.
Higgins trying to control but Nahas is working from the bottom.
Higgins is really struggling to control Nahas but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Higgins throws a big elbow that misses.
Nahas has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nahas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Higgins is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at The GYM (12 elite coaches on the Island) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Higgins trying to control but Nahas is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Higgins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nahas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nahas wants to sweep here but Higgins controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nahas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Higgins preventing the sweep.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Higgins slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Higgins tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Higgins stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Higgins goes for a double leg but Nahas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nahas continues to drive forward.

Higgins decides to pull guard.
Higgins keeping full guard, as Nahas tries to pass.

Nahas stands and steps away. Higgins gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Nahas closes the distance and clinches.

Higgins has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nahas uses from the top position.

Higgins looking for a guillotine here but Nahas defends easily.
Nahas wants to control from the top but Higgins keeps moving.
Higgins 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Higgins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nahas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nahas stays in close to Higgins's body and controls the position.
Nahas won't allow Higgins to sweep him here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Higgins keeping moving, preventing Nahas from controlling successfully.
Higgins bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nahas's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cooper Higgins dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Higgins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nahas is fending him off so far but Higgins persists. Nope, Nahas circles away and we're back to standing.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Higgins checks a leg kick.

Nahas has managed to clinch.
Nahas tries to pull guard but Higgins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Nahas has clasped his hands together around Higgins's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Higgins is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Higgins trying to control here.

Higgins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Higgins manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Higgins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Higgins is pushing down on Nahas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nahas is fighting to maintain full guard but Higgins has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins is working for a kimura but Nahas is defending it quite comfortably.
Nahas wants to get back to full guard.

Higgins seems to be working for a kimura but Nahas defends the submission attempt.
Higgins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cooper Higgins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Higgins stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Higgins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nahas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Higgins somewhat.

Higgins looking to score a takedown here. Nahas is defending well but Higgins drives through and ends up in Nahas's guard.

Higgins thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Higgins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nahas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Higgins looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins trying to control the position from guard on top but Nahas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Higgins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nahas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Higgins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Higgins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Higgins is pushing down on Nahas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nahas is fighting to maintain full guard but Higgins has managed to sneak the leg through.
Higgins tries to pass to full mount but Nahas defends it.
Nahas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Higgins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Higgins is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Nahas is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Cooper Higgins!
Rabihia Nahas was interviewed post fight and said 'well I guess I lost then?'.