PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gregoire Aebersold (ranked 2849 p4p, 2621 weight class) and Don Higgins (ranked 402 p4p, 376 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Aebersold
vs
Higgins

190 cm
26
214
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
210
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥
Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gregoire Aebersold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Don Higgins!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aebersold doesn't manage to clinch there - Higgins circles away.
Aebersold fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aebersold keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Higgins.
Aebersold shoots in but no luck this time.
Higgins throws out a powerful jab.
Higgins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice takedown defense from Higgins. No joy for Aebersold on that attempt.
Higgins is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Aebersold with a body shot.
Aebersold dodges the punch combination from Higgins.
Higgins throws a body shot but no joy.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aebersold staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aebersold moves out of range of the strikes.
Aebersold wants to clinch.
Higgins swats away the attempt to clinch by Aebersold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Higgins perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Aebersold is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Higgins pulls his head out easily.
Aebersold wants to improve his position but Higgins is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aebersold is working hard here to advance position.
Aebersold gets back to full guard.
Aebersold wants to sweep but no luck.
Higgins postures up.
Higgins chips away with some ground and pound.
Higgins working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Aebersold's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aebersold tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aebersold is trying to keep Higgins in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aebersold lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Aebersold works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Higgins wants to improve his position but Aebersold is controlling well.
Higgins has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Aebersold winds up and cracks Higgins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higgins is trying to control but Aebersold passes into side control!
Aebersold advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Aebersold looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Aebersold is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Higgins to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Higgins shrugs it off.
Aebersold wants to control but Higgins has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Higgins is in trouble now - Aebersold has advanced to mount!
Aebersold misses with a head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aebersold tries to control but Higgins wriggling away.
Higgins is wriggling around trying to escape.

Aebersold looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Higgins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Aebersold working for a submission but Higgins is keeping him at bay.
Higgins is desperately trying to improve his position but Aebersold has a good base and remains in mount.

Aebersold jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Higgins manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Aebersold is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Higgins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gregoire Aebersold will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Aebersold shoots for a takedown but Higgins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Higgins! But no joy.
Aebersold tries to close the distance and clinch up but Higgins swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Aebersold closes the distance and clinches.
Higgins is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Higgins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aebersold misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Aebersold.
Higgins lands with a short shot to the head.
Aebersold is looking to control Higgins's arms but Higgins gets an underhook and turns him. Now Aebersold has his back to the cage.
Higgins swings wildly with an uppercut but Aebersold uses good head movement to avoid it.

Aebersold pulls Higgins into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aebersold looking for a sweep. Not yet Aebersold, not yet.
Higgins works over Aebersold with some ground and pound from guard.

Aebersold has his foot on Higgins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Higgins works his way back into a safe position though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aebersold is on top in guard.

Higgins seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aebersold won't allow Higgins to sweep him here.
Aebersold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aebersold stopping the sweep attempt from Higgins.
Higgins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aebersold. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Aebersold thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Aebersold tries to free his leg and advance position but Higgins is retaining full guard.
Higgins is trying to keep Aebersold in close.
Aebersold missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gregoire Aebersold overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aebersold wants to control from the top but Higgins keeps moving.

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 working a defensive guard here.
Higgins throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Aebersold trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aebersold throwing strikes from guard but Higgins blocks nicely.
Aebersold trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Aebersold looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Higgins misses with an uppercut. Aebersold saw that one coming.
Gregoire Aebersold is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Higgins lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aebersold circles away quickly and effectively.
Aebersold closes the distance and clinches up with Higgins, looking for a takedown. Aebersold pushes Higgins against the cage but Higgins circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Higgins swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aebersold was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Aebersold tries to clinch there but Higgins circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins misses the jab.
Higgins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aebersold moves away.
As Higgins looks to move away, Aebersold throws a big counter combo but Higgins just gets out of the way.
Higgins throws a jab when Aebersold was well out of range.
Aebersold tries to clinch but Higgins moves out of range.
Aebersold ducks under a wild hook from Higgins.
Higgins keeps the fight on the outside.
Higgins throws out a counter right but Aebersold avoids it with no problem.

Higgins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Higgins showed some decent athleticism there.
Aebersold is trying to get back to full guard.
Aebersold is trying to maintain the position but Higgins is very close to passing his half guard.
Aebersold moves into full guard.
Aebersold wants to hit a sweep here but Higgins passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Aebersold there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Aebersold tries to hold on but Higgins pushes him away.
Aebersold keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Aebersold sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aebersold is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aebersold trying to hold on to Higgins's head to control him but Higgins postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Don Higgins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Higgins keeps the fight on the outside.
Aebersold slips under a jab.
Higgins 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.
Higgins misses with a right hand

and Aebersold counters with a shoot takedown. Higgins fights it but they end up in guard.
Higgins wants to sweep here but Aebersold controlling him for the moment.
Aebersold pushing down on Higgins's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aebersold wants to advance to full mount but Higgins doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Higgins has his hands on Aebersold's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aebersold with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aebersold wants to pass the guard but Higgins is keeping the position.
Higgins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higgins looking for subs off his back but Aebersold has passed one foot through into half guard.
Aebersold wants to free his trapped foot but Higgins is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Higgins tries to roll over but Aebersold keeps him under control.

Aebersold is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Higgins actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aebersold prevents Higgins from improving his position.
Aebersold tries to pass the half guard into mount. Higgins knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Higgins trying to control but Aebersold postures up.
Higgins wants to get back to full guard.
Aebersold wants to pass to mount but Higgins is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aebersold passes the guard and advances to mount!

Aebersold wants to finish this one by submission but Higgins is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Aebersold.
Aebersold tries to control but Higgins wriggling away.
Higgins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Aebersold landing shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aebersold goes for an armbar but Higgins turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Higgins.
Higgins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aebersold swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Aebersold is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Higgins defends well.
Aebersold controls Higgins momentarily but Higgins frees himself.
Aebersold looking to hit a scissor sweep but Higgins is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higgins content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregoire Aebersold showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aebersold has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Gregoire Aebersold!