PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Duke Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Hiczkok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hightower
vs
Hiczkok

178 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duke Hightower!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tom Hiczkok!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hightower misses with a body kick.
A leg kick checked by Hiczkok.
Hiczkok tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hiczkok moves out of range as Hightower throws a body kick.
Hiczkok is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hiczkok avoids a kick to the body.
Hiczkok takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hightower missing with a left hand there. Hiczkok was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hiczkok doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hightower counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hightower using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hiczkok has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hightower can't find room to land a body shot as Hiczkok controls the action.
Hightower scores a nice knee to the body.
Hightower tries to land a knee to the head but Hiczkok blocks with his arms.
Hiczkok wants a takedown but no success here.
Hightower using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hiczkok has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hightower scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hiczkok.
Duke Hightower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Hiczkok.
Hightower scores with a knee to the head.
Hightower lands a knee to the head.
Hightower swings wildly with an uppercut but Hiczkok uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hightower with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hightower working aggressively here.
Hightower misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
Hiczkok can't get the takedown.
Hightower prevents the takedown attempt.
Hiczkok is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hightower is defending well.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower lands a good knee to the midsection. Hiczkok won't want to take too many of those.
Hiczkok looks winded!
Hightower landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hightower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hiczkok blocks it with crossed arms.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower gets underhooks to prevent Hiczkok's takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Hightower.
Hightower looking to throw knees to the head but Hiczkok is blocking nicely.
Hightower goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hightower with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hiczkok blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hiczkok has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hightower is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but Hiczkok blocks it.
Hightower misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hightower has a couple of punches blocked by Hiczkok.
Hightower unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Hightower.
Hightower with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hightower with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hightower is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hightower scores a nice knee to the body.
Hightower throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hightower misses with the head strike.
Hiczkok prevents a body shot from Hightower.
Hightower is pressed up against the cage. Hiczkok has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hightower down to the mat. Hightower avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hightower does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hiczkok changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hightower tries to avoid it but Hiczkok manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hightower to the ground. Hightower escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hiczkok crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hightower - the referee stops the clock and Hiczkok gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hightower. Hiczkok manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hightower.
Hiczkok is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Hightower drives through and clinches with Hiczkok against the cage.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hightower lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hightower lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower throws a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Hightower.
Hiczkok goes for a takedown attempt but Hightower pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hiczkok keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hightower throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hiczkok feints the counter takedown.
Hightower leaves Hiczkok with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hightower looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hiczkok fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hightower misses with a kick to the body.
Hiczkok has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hightower.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hiczkok tries to keep at a distance but Hightower has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hiczkok wants a takedown but no success here.
Hiczkok drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hightower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hightower with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hightower prevents the takedown attempt.
Duke Hightower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Hiczkok.
Hightower tries a body shot but Hiczkok blocks it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hightower obliges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hiczkok is working for takedown but Hightower is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hiczkok is breathing heavily.
Hightower fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hightower landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower landing knees to the head.
Hightower lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hightower has a couple of punches blocked by Hiczkok.
Hightower putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hiczkok in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower lands a nice knee to the body.
Hightower lands a knee to the head.
Hightower lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hiczkok backwards.
Hightower with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hightower throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hightower unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hightower throws a punch but it's blocked by Hiczkok.
Hightower utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hightower connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hiczkok's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hightower landing knees to the head.
Hightower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hiczkok blocks it with crossed arms.
Hightower with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hightower landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower lands a knee to the body.
Hightower can't find room to land a body shot as Hiczkok controls the action.
Hightower throws a head punch that misses.
Hightower lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hightower pushes Hiczkok back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hightower throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower is pressed up against the cage. Hiczkok has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hightower down to the mat. Hightower avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hightower fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hiczkok.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hiczkok with the counter takedown but Hightower avoids it easily.
Hiczkok has his takedown stuffed

and Hightower counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hightower.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Hightower.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hiczkok blocks it with crossed arms.
Hightower throws a punch but it's blocked by Hiczkok.
Hiczkok is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hightower working aggressively here.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but Hiczkok blocks it.
Hightower throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but Hiczkok blocks it.
Hightower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hiczkok blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower gets underhooks to prevent Hiczkok's takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hiczkok.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but Hiczkok blocks it.
Hightower goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hightower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hightower is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hightower lands a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hiczkok.
Hiczkok has Hightower pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hightower manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Duke Hightower has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hightower.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hightower stops a takedown attempt from Hiczkok.
Hightower looking to throw knees to the head but Hiczkok is blocking nicely.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Hightower dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hightower swats away the attempt to clinch by Hiczkok.
Hightower darts in trying to clinch

and Hiczkok decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hightower's guard.
Hiczkok wants to control from the top but Hightower keeps moving.
Hightower is trying to keep Hiczkok in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hiczkok with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hiczkok working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hightower is controlling Hiczkok's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hiczkok is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hightower swats away the attempt to clinch by Hiczkok.
Hightower missing with a left hand there. Hiczkok was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hiczkok is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Duke Hightower is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hightower defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hiczkok.
Hiczkok takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hiczkok closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hightower wants to control but Hiczkok postures up.
Hiczkok tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hightower on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hightower tries to get out of the position.
Hiczkok wants to control but Hightower is keeping him busy.
Hiczkok misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hiczkok throws an elbow but Hightower slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower tries to improve position but can't.
Hightower is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hiczkok can do to turn this around?
Sloppy strikes there by Hiczkok.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hightower closes the distance and pushes Hiczkok back into the cage.
Hightower with a knee to the head.
Hightower with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hiczkok in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hiczkok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hightower lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hightower misses with some punches.
Hiczkok takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hightower looking to throw knees to the head but Hiczkok is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower lands a knee to the head.
Hiczkok can't get the takedown.
Hightower misses with the head strike.
A knee to the head by Hightower.
Hightower lands a nice knee to the body.
Hightower has a couple of punches blocked by Hiczkok.
Hightower throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hiczkoks head.
Hightower lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hiczkok backwards.
Hightower landing knees to the head.
Hightower lands a nice knee to the body.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tom Hiczkok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hiczkok has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hightower avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duke Hightower showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hightower, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:25
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:25
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duke Hightower!