PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keith Higham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alessio Fuschini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Higham
vs
Fuschini

200 cm
22
215 lbs
10 - 1 - 1

187 cm
27
215 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

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 10 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Keith Higham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alessio Fuschini!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuschini throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Higham sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Higham or perhaps it was just good defense by Fuschini which made him look bad.
Higham looks for a takedown but Fuschini sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Higham is defended easily by Fuschini.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Higham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Higham.
Fuschini misses with a straight right.
Fuschini is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Higham.
Fuschini looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Higham tries to close the distance and clinch but Fuschini swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higham is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fuschini sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fuschini swinging wildly here.
Higham throws a leg kick but Fuschini checks it.
Fuschini fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fuschini misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham shoots in for a double leg but Fuschini sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fuschini lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Higham circles away quickly and effectively.

Higham 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.

Higham drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fuschini looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fuschini looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fuschini!
Fuschini throws a strike aimed at the side of Higham's head but Higham avoids it well.
Fuschini wants to lay and pray for a moment but Higham keeps working.
Higham gets back to half guard.

Higham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini looks to land a strike but Higham avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Fuschini working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Higham looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fuschini passes into side control.
Fuschini throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Higham works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Higham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higham throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Fuschini throwing shots but Higham is blocking nicely.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fuschini thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Higham is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fuschini's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fuschini's back!
Fuschini has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Higham is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Fuschini knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Fuschini for a finish.
Higham has the hooks in. Fuschini is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four 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.

Higham is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Fuschini is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Higham gets his way!
Higham is trying to stick to Fuschini's back but Fuschini is turning into Higham. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Higham's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Fuschini.
Fuschini throwing strikes but missing.

Higham throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Higham isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fuschini stacks Higham on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fuschini!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keith Higham will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Higham fails with the takedown.
Fuschini displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Higham.
Fuschini throws a right and a left that Higham avoids nicely.
Fuschini throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higham shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fuschini defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Higham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Fuschini as Higham shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuschini scores with a body shot.
Alessio Fuschini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Higham fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fuschini fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice sprawl there from Fuschini as Higham shoots in.
Keith Higham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fuschini swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fuschini lands a big head kick that sends Higham to the canvas! Fuschini follows up with strikes from the mount that forces the ref to step in and stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alessio Fuschini!