PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hard Nose (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Highlander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Scott Highlander told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nose
vs
Highlander

180 cm
18
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

179 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hard Nose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Highlander!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Highlander decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Nose looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Highlander is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Highlander trying to control from half guard but Nose is working away.
Nose is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Highlander is working for a kimura but Nose is defending it quite comfortably.
Nose tries to roll over but Highlander keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Highlander moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Nose.
Nose manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highlander scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Highlander escapes and gets back to his feet.
Highlander tries to clinch up.
Nose fails in his attempt to clinch.
Highlander shoots in and drives through. Nose sprawls well.
Highlander tries to work over Nose's front leg with a kick but Nose checks it.

Highlander darts in and clinches Nose up against the cage.

Highlander breaks the clinch.

Highlander rushes Nose and presses him up against the cage.
Highlander wants to get back to striking at distance but Nose won't allow it.
Highlander comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Highlander successfully pulls guard.

Highlander is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Highlander looks gassed!
The is referee keeping an eye on Highlander - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nose prevents Highlander from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Highlander manages to pull guard.
Nose wants to control from the top but Highlander keeps moving.
Highlander thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Highlander looking for a guillotine here but Nose defends easily.
Nose trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nose is working hard here to advance position.
Nose has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Highlander is proving hard to escape from.
Highlander is trying to control the position but Nose postures up.
Highlander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nose misses with a takedown attempt

and Highlander counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Highlander throws an elbow but misses.
Highlander can't get the takedown.

Highlander successfully pulls guard.
Highlander is looking to stand up but Nose isn't so interested in that idea.
Highlander has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Nose has passed into side control.
Nose working away.

Nose is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Highlander knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nose wants to control but Highlander is keeping him busy.
Highlander is looking to reverse the position.

Highlander explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highlander misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hard Nose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Highlander.
Nose shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Highlander as he jumps to the side.
Nose steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Highlander.
Highlander wants to clinch up but Nose keeps it at a distance.
Highlander has his takedown stuffed

and Nose counters with a single leg into guard. Highlander didn't expect that.

Highlander looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nose passes into half guard.
Highlander trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Highlander is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Highlander dominated that 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.

Nose shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Highlander but Highlander pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nose looks for a takedown but Highlander sprawls well.
Highlander throws a hook to the side of Nose's head but Nose sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Highlander gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nose counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nose.

Highlander looking for a guillotine here but Nose defends easily.

Nose drops back looking for a leg! Highlander is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Highlander manages to kick Nose off! Nose jumps back into Highlander's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Highlander is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Highlander has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nose can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nose passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Nose wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Highlander, who protects the arm well.
Highlander is trying to control Nose's posture but Nose avoids it.
Highlander manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Highlander connects with a nice short shot to Nose's temple.
Nose is staying active underneath Highlander, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nose is looking to improve his position.
Highlander wants to take a breather but Nose is having none of it.
Nose is looking to control Highlander's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nose avoid being mounted?
Highlander scoring with strikes to the body and head.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Highlander shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Highlander prevents Nose from improving his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Highlander is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highlander seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nose tries to get to full guard but Highlander has control of the leg.
Highlander prevents Nose from standing back up.
Highlander is nestled in close to Nose, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Highlander drops an elbow to the side of Nose's head.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Highlander misses the jab.
Highlander has a takedown stuffed.
Nose keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hard Nose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Highlander.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Highlander shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Highlander decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Nose throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Highlander's waist but Highlander gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nose off to one side.

Highlander looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Nose is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Highlander gets to his feet - Nose follows without any prompting.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Highlander will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Highlander showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Highlander fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Highlander shoots in for a double leg but Nose sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nose fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Highlander misses with a takedown attempt

and Nose counters with a nice double leg into side control. Highlander won't be happy with that.
Hard Nose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Highlander.
Highlander can't do much from the bottom here.

Nose tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Highlander's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Highlander controls the position for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Highlander avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highlander is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Nose asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Highlander tries to improve position but can't.
Highlander isn't going anywhere.
Highlander is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Highlander wants to control but Nose postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Highlander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Highlander raining down shots from the mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nose is desperately trying to improve his position but Highlander has a good base and remains in mount.
Nose bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Highlander has his hands on Nose's head, controlling the position.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Highlander controls Nose momentarily but Nose frees himself.
Nose won't allow Highlander to sweep him here.
Highlander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Highlander trying to strike off his back.

Highlander throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nose passes Highlander's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Highlander gets full guard.
Highlander is trying to control the position but Nose postures up.
Highlander looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Nose drops back looking for a leg! Highlander is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Highlander manages to kick Nose off! Nose jumps back into Highlander's guard.
Nose stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Highlander swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Highlander escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nose gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nose accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nose wants to stand but Highlander is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nose trying to control the position from guard on top but Highlander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hard Nose has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Highlander keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Nose stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Highlander swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Highlander pushes Nose off and scrambles back to his feet.
Scott Highlander is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Highlander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Highlander comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Highlander winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Highlander!