PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dale La Grande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Highfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

La Grande
vs
Highfield

170 cm
25
143 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Grand Champion Apparel
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dale La Grande!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Highfield!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Grande gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Highfield scores with a hook.
La Grande moves away from the strike by Highfield.
La Grande displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Highfield throws out the jab.
La Grande definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Highfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but La Grande moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
La Grande was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Highfield getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Highfield throws a solid leg kick but La Grande takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Highfield.
La Grande is looking for a counter combo.
La Grande tries to clinch there but Highfield circles away.
La Grande gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Highfield.
Highfield scores with a three punch combo!
No joy there for Highfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

La Grande forces Highfield back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande tries to land a knee to the head but Highfield blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
La Grande comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande has him pressed against the cage.
Highfield can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from La Grande.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
La Grande crunches a lovely knee into Highfield's ribcage.
La Grande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
La Grande is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
La Grande keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Highfield's efforts to push away.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
La Grande lands a knee to the body.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
Highfield has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. La Grande seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Highfield can turn it around.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Highfield looks winded!
La Grande lands an elbow inside.

It looks like James Highfield has been cut.
Highfield blocks the elbow strike.
Highfield takes an elbow to the forehead.
Highfield is trying to push La Grande away but La Grande has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
La Grande with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
La Grande tries a knee to the head but Highfield blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
Highfield has had enough of the clinch but La Grande keeps him there for the moment.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section. Highfield lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
Highfield wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but La Grande has him pressed against the cage.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande throws an elbow that misses.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Highfield manages to break the clinch.
A left lands for Highfield.
A combination from Highfield does no damage.
La Grande appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left lands for Highfield.
La Grande uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Highfield.
La Grande tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Highfield manages to circle out of the way.
Highfield misses with a low kick.
La Grande appears to be looking for a big counter.
Highfield lands a jab to the head.
Highfield tries to bum rush La Grande with a series of wild strikes but La Grande uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A counter left hand to the body from La Grande misses its target.
Highfield just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like La Grande was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Highfield looks to land a right hand but La Grande moved out of range.
La Grande throws a quick counter kick to the body but Highfield avoids it.
Highfield misses with a wild combination.
James Highfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
La Grande takes one to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

La Grande defending well as Highfield loads up on a big left hand.
Highfield throws a body shot but no joy.
La Grande was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A jab from Highfield does it's job there.
La Grande slips a jab and a cross from Highfield.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
Highfield throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
La Grande quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Highfield throws a hook but La Grande avoids it easily.
La Grande throws a big counter combination but Highfield scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
La Grande is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Highfield can do to turn this around?
Highfield misses the shot to the body.
La Grande is looking for a counter combo.
La Grande slips under a jab from Highfield.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Highfield gets tackled into the cage by La Grande. La Grande maintains the clinch.

Highfield breaks from the clinch.
Highfield misses with a jab, cross combination.
La Grande seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Highfield throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield falls off balance throwing a combination
and La Grande counters with a left and a right that stings Highfield.
La Grande takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Highfield jabs at La Grande's body.
Highfield scores with a nice strike.
Dale La Grande is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Highfield throws a right hand that La Grande ducks under and follows up with a left that La Grande also avoids with ease.
Highfield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but La Grande was well out of range. Poor timing from Highfield.
James Highfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
La Grande takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
It looked like La Grande was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Highfield.
La Grande dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
Highfield is breathing heavily.
Highfield misses with an uppercut.
La Grande tries to counter by clinching up but Highfield breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Highfield tries to keep at a distance but La Grande has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. La Grande obliges.
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!
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
Highfield blocks the elbow strike.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
La Grande with a knee to the head.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande misses with a knee strike.
La Grande with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
La Grande landing some nice looking knees to the body.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande prevents Highfield from breaking the clinch.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.
Highfield wants to break free but La Grande has control.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande looking to throw knees to the head but Highfield is blocking nicely.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
Dale La Grande has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
La Grande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Highfield takes a knee to the side of the body.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
La Grande has Highfield pressed against the cage, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Highfield misses with a shot to the body

and La Grande counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by La Grande.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
Highfield takes a knee right on the jaw!
Highfield dodges an elbow strike from La Grande.
Knees to the body from La Grande.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. La Grande obliges.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Highfield breaks the clinch.
La Grande takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
La Grande ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Highfield misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from La Grande.
La Grande is looking to counter the offense by Highfield and move into the clinch.
Highfield misses with a straight left.
Highfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
La Grande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield scores with a nice head shot.
Highfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Highfield just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLa Grande.
Highfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Highfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by La Grande.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
La Grande dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
La Grande tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Highfield manages to circle out of the way.
La Grande walks into a stiff left hand from Highfield.
Highfield takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
La Grande wants to clinch up but Highfield keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highfield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but La Grande circles away quickly and effectively.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.
La Grande seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Highfield misses with a hook. La Grande ducked under it nicely.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
Highfield falls off balance throwing a combination
and La Grande counters with a one-two to the body.
Highfield lands a slapping body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
La Grande tries to clinch but Highfield is having none of it.
Highfield misses with a lunging right hand
and La Grande counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
La Grande keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Highfield.
La Grande checks a leg kick.
La Grande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield misses with the combination.
Highfield misses with a looping right.
La Grande moves out of range as Highfield strikes.
La Grande throws a big counter combination but Highfield scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Highfield lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Highfield.
Highfield misses with a two punch combination.
Highfield misses with a series of wild punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
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!
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Highfield takes a knee to the side of the body.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

La Grande closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands an elbow inside.
La Grande throws an elbow that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for La Grande.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
Highfield is trying to break free.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
La Grande landing knees to the body.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
Highfield takes an elbow to the forehead.
Highfield is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield takes a knee right on the jaw!

Highfield is rocked!
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is still on wobbly legs! Can La Grande finish him?
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande with a knee to the head.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Highfield tries to circle away but La Grande has him pinned against the cage.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
La Grande lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That has opened up James Highfield's cut even more.
Knees in the clinch landing for La Grande.
La Grande has Highfield pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Highfield is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from La Grande - that's hurt Highfield badly! Oh, another knee lands and Highfield is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Highfield doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Dale La Grande!
Dale La Grande retains his lightweight title!
Dale La Grande spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.