PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harley Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Hairston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Will Hairston is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Higgins
vs
Hairston

152 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harley Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Will Hairston!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hairston gets a double leg takedown into Higgins's guard.
Hairston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higgins is keeping the position for now.
Hairston won't allow Higgins to get back to his feet.
Higgins really is a fat lump.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Higgins is on top in guard.

Higgins scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Higgins gets to his feet - Hairston follows without any prompting.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hairston.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Higgins on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Hairston fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Higgins to the ground. Hairston is now in Higgins's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higgins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Higgins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hairston works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Higgins is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Higgins with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Higgins throws an elbow that misses. Hairston uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Higgins's guard. Nice move by Hairston!

Hairston looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Higgins has his feet on Hairston's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hairston looks winded!
Hairston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higgins.
Higgins is looking for a counter combo.
Higgins tries to clinch but Hairston is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hairston gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The referee calls for Hairston to work.
Higgins has Hairston pressed against the cage, preventing Hairston from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hairston gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Higgins.
Hairston has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hairston gets underhooks to prevent Higgins's takedown attempt.
Hairston is trying to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling him.
Higgins fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harley Higgins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higgins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hairston fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Higgins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hairston.
It looked like Higgins was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Hairston closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Higgins regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hairston controlling from the top position.
Hairston wants to get up but he can't break Higgins's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hairston slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Higgins looking for a sweep. Not yet Higgins, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hairston shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Higgins is trying to defend but Hairston finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Higgins has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hairston is on him like a limpet, forcing Higgins back against the cage.
Higgins prevents Hairston from breaking the clinch.
Hairston working hard to break the clinch.
Hairston wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins prevents Hairston from breaking the clinch.
Hairston is trying to force a seperation but Higgins has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins fails to pull guard.
Higgins fails to pull guard.
A frustrated look appears on Hairston's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hairston manages to pull guard.
Higgins throwing strikes from guard but Hairston blocks nicely.

Hairston is working an open guard so Higgins takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Hairston shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Higgins wants to stand back up but Hairston manages to pass into side control.
Hairston is breathing heavily.
Higgins is looking to reverse the position.
Higgins is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Higgins might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Higgins gets full guard.
Higgins bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hairston's guard.

Higgins content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hairston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higgins throws a big right hand that misses.

Higgins gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hairston tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Higgins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hairston shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Higgins's guard.
Hairston trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hairston wants to stand but Higgins is controlling his posture from full guard.

Higgins escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hairston gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Harley Higgins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hairston showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Higgins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hairston manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Higgins stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harley Higgins dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Higgins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hairston.
Higgins blocks a low kick nicely.
Higgins seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hairston throws a right and a left that Higgins avoids nicely.
Hairston throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Higgins counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Hairston dives in and scores a takedown into Higgins's guard.

Higgins pushes Hairston off and scrambles back to his feet.
Will Hairston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hairston shoots in and bounces Higgins off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Higgins pushes Hairston off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Higgins shoots for a double leg takedown but Hairston sprawls well. He's pushed Higgins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Hairston shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hairston was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Higgins throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hairston's guard.

Hairston has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Higgins off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hairston is looking to clinch but Higgins is avoiding it.
Higgins is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Higgins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higgins with a flurry of punches that miss.

Higgins drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hairston looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hairston looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hairston!

Higgins is not content to let Hairston control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hairston wants to stand but Higgins has his arm trapped.
Hairston moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higgins is not content to let Hairston control the position.
Hairston tries to get to his feet but Higgins is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Hairston in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hairston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Higgins escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hairston gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hairston controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hairston stands up from Higgins's guard - Hairston perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hairston shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Higgins eats them both and turns towards Hairston to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hairston moves in looking to clinch but Higgins pushes him off.
Higgins drops his hands momentarily and Hairston takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hairston throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Higgins cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hairston has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hairston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hairston throws a nice looking combination but Higgins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Will Hairston seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hairston slaps away a takedown attempt from Higgins, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hairston scores with a jab to the body.
Hairston tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higgins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hairston.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Will Hairston.
I think Hairston has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Will Hairston!