PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stig Helmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peyton Hillis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Helmer
vs
Hillis

198 cm
33
265 lbs
18 - 24 - 0

202 cm
32
255 lbs
22 - 24 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stig Helmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Peyton Hillis!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helmer lands a nice hook to Hillis's body. Hillis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Hillis gets tackled into the cage by Helmer. Helmer maintains the clinch.

Hillis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Helmer closes the distance and clinches up with Hillis, looking for a takedown. Helmer pushes Hillis against the cage but Hillis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stig Helmer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helmer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Helmer walks into a stiff left hand from Hillis.
Helmer looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Helmer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Helmer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helmer tries for a takedown but Hillis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stig Helmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Helmer drives through with a takedown into guard.
Helmer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hillis keeping full guard, as Helmer tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Helmer lands a couple of elbows.
Hillis wants to get back to his feet but Helmer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hillis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Helmer looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Helmer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.

Helmer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hillis throws an overhand right that lands on Helmer's shoulder, as Helmer tries to avoid the shot.
Helmer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hillis.
Helmer shoots in but Hillis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fighters circling - Hillis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Helmer shoots in for a double leg but Hillis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Helmer lands a jab to the nose.
Nice shot lands for Hillis.

It looks like Stig Helmer has been cut.
Helmer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hillis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Helmer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hillis counters with a crisp one two that drops Helmer! Hillis thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Helmer to his feet! Helmer is in big trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hillis lands an overhand right.
Hillis throws a right hand that misses
and Helmer counters with a series of strikes. Hillis will be more careful next time no doubt.
Helmer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hillis circles away.
Hillis leaves Helmer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hillis slips a jab from Helmer.
The fighters circling - Hillis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A combination from Hillis does no damage.
Hillis throws a jab but it's blocked by Helmer.
Helmer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hillis swivels and escapes.
Hillis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hillis moves away from the strike by Helmer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helmer fails to land with a series of punches.
Helmer closes the distance and clinches up with Hillis, looking for a takedown. Helmer pushes Hillis against the cage but Hillis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hillis connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Helmer momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Helmer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hillis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Helmer shoots in and drives through. Hillis sprawls well.

Helmer shoots in and bounces Hillis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Helmer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hillis wants to get back to his feet but Helmer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peyton Hillis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stig Helmer's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Helmer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Helmer showed some decent athleticism there.

Helmer is working for a submission of some sort.
Helmer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hillis's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Helmer is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hillis defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Helmer stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Hillis to get to his feet.
Helmer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hillis is fending him off so far but Helmer persists. Nope, Hillis circles away and we're back to standing.
Helmer fails with a takedown attempt.
Helmer ducks under a wild hook from Hillis.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Hillis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hillis throws an off balance right hand
and Helmer counters with a stiff right hand.
Helmer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hillis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Helmer somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stig Helmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Helmer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hillis.
Hillis throws a hook but Helmer blocks it.
Helmer throws a right hand that Hillis ducks under and follows up with a left that Hillis also avoids with ease.
Hillis misses with a hook. Helmer ducked under it nicely.
Hillis connects with a nice looking jab.
Helmer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hillis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hillis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hillis might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Helmer with a poor takedown
and Hillis counters with a series of strikes. Helmer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Peyton Hillis seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hillis slaps away a takedown attempt from Helmer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Helmer with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hillis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Helmer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hillis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sloppy strikes from Hillis. Those never looked like landing.
Hillis dips to his left and cracks Helmer with an uppercut!
Nice defenses there by Helmer.
Donk. Hillis catches Helmer right on the button with a cross.

Helmer is rocked!

Helmer shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hillis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Oh Helmer is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Helmer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hillis is keeping the position for now.
Helmer seems to have got his legs back now.
Stig Helmer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helmer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Helmer 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.
Helmer is looking to work some ground and pound but Hillis has wrist control.
Hillis wants to stand up but Helmer is controlling him.
Helmer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hillis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Helmer throws a strike but Hillis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helmer is trying to control the position but Hillis postures up.
Hillis wants to stand but Helmer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peyton Hillis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stig Helmer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hillis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Helmer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Helmer tries to clinch but Hillis is having none of it.
Hillis throws a looping overhand right but Helmer ducks down to avoid it.
Hillis moves out of range of the strikes.
No joy there for Hillis, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Helmer has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Helmer there as he acknowledges the shot.

Helmer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hillis, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helmer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hillis's efforts to push away.

Hillis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice cross by Hillis.

Stig Helmer's cut is getting worse.
Helmer lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Peyton Hillis has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hillis.
Hillis misses with a hook.

Helmer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Helmer controlling from the top position.
Helmer trying to control but Hillis is working from the bottom.
Helmer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hillis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Helmer stands up and waves to Hillis to follow him.
Helmer works Hillis's body with a nice hook.
Hillis misses with a lunging right hand

and Helmer counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Hillis!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helmer seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hillis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Helmer trying to mount his opponent but Hillis defends it.
Hillis has hold of Helmer's hands but Helmer slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Helmer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hillis has managed to free his arm - good work.

Helmer stands up out of the half guard.
Hillis moves into range and connects with a jab.
Helmer is looking to clinch.
Helmer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hillis throws an overhand right that lands on Helmer's shoulder, as Helmer tries to avoid the shot.
Helmer tries to clinch but Hillis is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helmer misses with a takedown
enabling Hillis to counter with a crisp jab.
Hillis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Helmer's hands.
Hillis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Helmer.
Helmer is looking to clinch.
Helmer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hillis darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stig Helmer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Helmer swinging wildly here.
Helmer fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peyton Hillis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hillis winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

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