PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Bighouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morgan comes into the arena with Change or Die - Papa Roach blaring out of the sound system. Bighouse is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Isontalon Antti ja Rannanjärvi. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Morgan
vs
Bighouse

215 cm
23
285 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

196 cm
20
292 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Final Strike Clothing
Fortitude Apparel

Fortitude Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Morgan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Bighouse!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morgan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bighouse swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morgan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No joy there for Bighouse, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morgan tries to clinch but Bighouse is having none of it.
Morgan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Bighouse. No joy for Morgan on that attempt.
Bighouse blocks a head kick by Morgan.
Morgan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Bighouse shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Morgan wants to sweep here but Bighouse controlling him for the moment.
Morgan keeping full guard, as Bighouse tries to pass.
Morgan thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bighouse!
Morgan throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Bighouse manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Morgan passes to full mount!
A nice elbow there by Morgan.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bighouse can do anything to dispel that myth.
Morgan prevents Bighouse from getting the reversal.
The referee warns Bighouse that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse working to try and regain half guard.
Bighouse is bucking up trying to escape but Morgan cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Morgan postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bighouse looks a forlorn figure.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Morgan breaks from Bighouse's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Morgan postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bighouse looks a forlorn figure.
Bighouse wants to control but Morgan is having none of it.
Morgan dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Morgan working the ground and pound effectively.
Morgan raining down shots from the mount!
Morgan is in the full mount, landing strikes.
A nice elbow there by Morgan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morgan scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bighouse?
Bighouse is bucking up trying to escape but Morgan cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Morgan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Morgan cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bighouse looks gassed!
Morgan with a couple of short strikes.
Morgan landing strikes, looking to finish!
Morgan tries to control but Bighouse wriggling away.
Bighouse is in all sorts of trouble here.
You get the feeling that Bighouse really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morgan lands with some strikes.
Morgan lands with some strikes.
Morgan fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Morgan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Morgan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Morgan with a poor takedown
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bighouse missing with a left hand there. Morgan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bighouse fails to land with a series of punches.
A solid leg kick lands there for Morgan.

Morgan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bighouse to the mat! Bighouse manages to get full guard.
Thomas Morgan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morgan postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Morgan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Morgan trying to control the position from guard on top but Bighouse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bighouse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morgan.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morgan works over Bighouse with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan stops Bighouse from standing up.
Morgan content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Morgan scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Morgan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Morgan postures up and lands a big shot to Bighouse's brow.
Morgan prevents Bighouse from getting back to his feet.
Morgan stands up over Bighouse, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Morgan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Morgan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Morgan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bighouse's head.
Morgan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bighouse manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Bighouse wants to get up but he can't break Morgan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Morgan had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Bighouse is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Morgan Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Bighouse's back instead.
Bighouse tries to escape but Morgan has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Morgan lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan scores with punches and elbows.
Bighouse can't escape the position.
Morgan landing with strikes.
Morgan scores with punches from the back.
You can see the frustration on Bighouse's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The referee is taking a good look at Bighouse as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Morgan!
Bighouse covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Morgan missing with strikes.
Morgan misses with a punch to the head.
Bighouse rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bighouse has hold of Morgan's hands but Morgan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bighouse wants to get back to full guard.
Bighouse blocking the ground and pound attempt from Morgan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morgan winds up and cracks Bighouse with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bighouse is refusing to be controlled, as Morgan sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Morgan 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.

Morgan with a poor takedown
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Morgan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bighouse throws out the jab.

Morgan gets a clinch.
Bighouse is trying to break free.
Bighouse lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Morgan backwards.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Bighouse manages to get underhooks.
Morgan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bighouse pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bighouse slowing the pace effectively.
Bighouse wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Bighouse.
Bighouse is pressed up against the cage. Morgan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bighouse down to the mat. Bighouse avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Bighouse feints and as Morgan raises his hands in defense, Bighouse changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Morgan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Morgan is working an open guard so Bighouse takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Bighouse drives through and clinches with Morgan against the cage.
Bighouse prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bighouse wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morgan has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bighouse wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morgan has him pressed against the cage.
Bighouse wants to break free but Morgan has control.
Morgan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bighouse avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bighouse wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bighouse struggles to land a body shot inside as Morgan controls his hands.
The is referee keeping an eye on Bighouse - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bighouse is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Morgan pushes Bighouse back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bighouse wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morgan wants a takedown.
Morgan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bighouse can do to turn this around?
Morgan can't get the takedown.
Bighouse lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bighouse wants to stall.
Bighouse wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bighouse wants to break free but Morgan has control.
Morgan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bighouse avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bighouse can't break the clinch.
Bighouse trying to stall but Morgan improves his position.

That's two 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.
Morgan keeps control of Bighouse as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bighouse prevents the takedown attempt.
Bighouse gets underhooks to prevent Morgan's takedown attempt.
Bighouse wants to get back to striking at distance but Morgan won't allow it.
Bighouse is trying to break free.
Bighouse gets underhooks to prevent Morgan's takedown attempt.

Bighouse pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bighouse misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morgan jabs at Bighouse's body.
Bighouse lands the left hand.
Morgan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morgan walks into a left hand.
Bighouse connects with a body shot.
Bighouse fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Morgan tries to move into range but Bighouse moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bighouse throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Morgan feints and as Bighouse raises his hands in defense, Morgan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Morgan won't allow Bighouse to get back to his feet.
Morgan works over Bighouse with some ground and pound from guard.
Morgan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bighouse is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bighouse is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Morgan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan scoring with some ground and pound.
Morgan thows a big elbow that misses.
Morgan is looking to advance position but Bighouse has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Morgan wants to try and get back to his feet.
Morgan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Morgan flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Bighouse controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Bighouse really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Morgan scores with a takedown into Bighouse's guard.
Morgan trying to control the position from guard on top but Bighouse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bighouse controlling the position.
Morgan postures up in Bighouse's guard and throws a big left but Bighouse blocks it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Morgan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bighouse has momentary wrist control but Morgan slips an elbow through the middle.
Bighouse looking to hit a scissor sweep but Morgan is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bighouse is keeping the position for now.
Bighouse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morgan.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Morgan throws a combination that misses
and Bighouse counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Morgan thinking.
Morgan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bighouse cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bighouse tries to bum rush Morgan with a series of wild strikes but Morgan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Bighouse darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bighouse tries to stand but can't do so whilst Morgan controls his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Morgan is trying to get back to full guard.
Morgan missing with punches from the bottom.
Bighouse wants to control but Morgan is keeping him busy.
Morgan wants to control but Bighouse is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Morgan gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse stopping the sweep attempt from Morgan.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Morgan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bighouse counters by clinching up.
Morgan keeps control of Bighouse as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morgan wants a takedown but no success here.

Bighouse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bighouse lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Morgan backs up against the cage.
Bighouse throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bighouse has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Morgan tries to clinch but Bighouse moves out of range.
Bighouse tries to clinch but Morgan moves out of range.
Morgan closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bighouse connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bighouse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses with a takedown attempt
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Bighouse.
Thomas Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bighouse as he jumps to the side.
Bighouse connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bighouse misses with a few strikes there.
Thomas Morgan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bighouse changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Morgan tries to avoid it but Bighouse manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Morgan to the ground. Morgan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A punch combination from Bighouse misses.
Morgan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bighouse's waist but Bighouse gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Morgan off to one side.
Morgan throws a body kick that misses.

Bighouse drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morgan wants to sweep but no luck.
Bighouse trying to control the position from guard on top but Morgan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Bighouse dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Morgan closes the distance and clinches.
Morgan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bighouse pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bighouse moves into the clinch successfully.
Morgan is trying to drag Bighouse to the mat but Bighouse just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Bighouse breaks the clinch.
Bighouse works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bighouse.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Nice sprawl there from Morgan as Bighouse shoots in.
Morgan shoots for a takedown but Bighouse saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morgan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bighouse lands with a nice body punch.
Jab, jab by Bighouse - just one landing.
Bighouse scores with a jab. Morgan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Morgan tries to keep at a distance but Bighouse has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bighouse tries to break the clinch but Morgan is controlling the position.
Bighouse misses with a punch to the body.
Bighouse wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bighouse is pressed up against the cage. Morgan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bighouse down to the mat. Bighouse avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Morgan shoots in but Bighouse avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Andy Bighouse seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bighouse, as that shot connected.
No joy there for Bighouse, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck for Morgan with that takedown attempt.
Bighouse takes a swing at Morgan's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse throws a series of strikes that have Morgan backpedaling.
A cross from Bighouse lands.
Morgan misses with a takedown attempt
and Bighouse counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Morgan shoots and misses
and Bighouse counters with a nice body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bighouse.
Morgan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Bighouse circles away easily

and Bighouse counters by moving into the clinch.
Bighouse is leaning against Morgan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bighouse wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bighouse misses with the head strike.
Bighouse can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bighouse walks away with a smile on his face. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Morgan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morgan with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Bighouse to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Bighouse. That snapped Morgan's head back.
Bighouse swinging wilding here.
Morgan tries to clinch but Bighouse moves away

and Bighouse counters with a takedown into side control.
Morgan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Bighouse decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Morgan swats away the attempt to clinch by Bighouse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bighouse swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Bighouse closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Morgan striking from the bottom.
Morgan is trying to stand back up but Bighouse is controlling him
Morgan wants to get back to full guard.
Morgan throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bighouse blocks the strikes from Morgan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bighouse tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Morgan.
Morgan trying to control here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Bighouse comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bighouse 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Bighouse!
Andy Bighouse is the new super heavyweight champion!