PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Massas (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.

Higgins
vs
Massas

215 cm
18
161 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Samuel Massas!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Massas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Higgins kicks off Massas and gets to his feet.
Samuel Massas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Massas gets a takedown into half guard.
Massas trying to advance position but Higgins counters by regaining guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Massas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Higgins manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Massas has Higgins in his guard.

Higgins lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Massas looking for subs off his back but Higgins has passed one foot through into half guard.
Massas is looking to control Higgins's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Massas avoid being mounted?

Higgins decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Massas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Higgins's guard.
Higgins is looking to stand up but Massas isn't so interested in that idea.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massas avoids the head kick by Higgins.
Massas blocks a head kick by Higgins.

Massas closes the distance and pushes Higgins back into the cage.

Massas breaks from the clinch.
Massas tries to clinch up but Higgins circles away and keeps his distance.
Higgins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Massas.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higgins is pushing Massas's head away, looking to escape. Massas manages to hold on to the position though.
Higgins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries to improve position but can't.
Higgins is trying to control Massas's posture but Massas avoids it.
Higgins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Massas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Higgins is trying to get back to his feet.

Massas decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Massas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Higgins napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Higgins is breathing heavily.
Massas wants to control but Higgins is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Higgins is not content to let Massas control the position.

Massas goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Higgins rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Massas's guard! Nice work there by Higgins!
Massas working a defensive guard but Higgins passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Higgins dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Massas gets a clinch.

Higgins is fighting off a takedown attempt but Massas is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Higgins to the mat. Higgins regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Massas throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Massas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Higgins has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Massas off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Higgins throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Massas.
A head kick misses from Higgins.
Higgins slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Massas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Massas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Higgins kicks Massas off and gets to his feet.

Higgins gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Massas throws an elbow that misses. Higgins uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Massas's guard. Nice move by Higgins!

Higgins stopping the sweep attempt from Massas.
Massas has a closed guard, preventing Higgins from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massas trying to control the position.
Massas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgins postures up in Massas's guard and throws a big left but Massas blocks it.
Massas looking for a sweep. Not yet Massas, not yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Massas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Massas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Higgins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massas has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Higgins has passed into side control.
You can see the frustration on Massas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Higgins is trying to get an arm triangle but Massas is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Higgins is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Massas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four 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.
Massas keeps Higgins under control for a moment.
Massas is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Massas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack 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!

Massas moves into the clinch.

Massas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Massas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Massas thows a huge punch but Higgins dodges it nicely.
Massas trying to mount his opponent but Higgins defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins is trying to stand back up but Massas is controlling him
Massas tries to pass to full mount but Higgins defends it.
Higgins trying to hold on to Massas's head to control him but Massas postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Massas throwing shots but Higgins is blocking nicely.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Higgins tries to kick Massas off but Massas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Massas shoots in and gets a takedown into Higgins's guard.
Higgins can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Massas controls the pace.
Massas wants to stand but Higgins has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Higgins looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins wants to stand but Massas is controlling the position.
Massas throws an elbow that misses. Higgins uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Massas's guard. Nice move by Higgins!

Massas kicks Higgins off and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Massas throws a series of punches but Higgins moves out of range.

Higgins gets tackled into the cage by Massas. Massas maintains the clinch.

Massas pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Massas looking for subs off his back but Higgins has passed one foot through into half guard.
Massas trying to control but Higgins postures up.
Higgins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Higgins decides to return to a standing position.
Higgins throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Higgins wants to clinch up but Massas keeps it at a distance.
Massas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Massas shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Higgins manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Higgins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet but Massas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Massas looking to sit in guard and control but Higgins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Massas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Higgins 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Higgins!