PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bjorn Akerfeldt (ranked 1730 p4p, 1718 weight class) and Liam Higgins (ranked 179 p4p, 176 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Akerfeldt
vs
Higgins

196 cm
33
224
11 - 14 - 0

194 cm
27
265
13 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

UNDEFEATED

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bjorn Akerfeldt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Liam Higgins!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Darius Henderson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akerfeldt has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Akerfeldt there as he acknowledges the shot.
Akerfeldt takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Akerfeldt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Higgins tries to avoid it but Akerfeldt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Higgins to the ground. Higgins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Akerfeldt looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Akerfeldt lands a nice leg kick that just misses Higgins's sensitive parts.
Akerfeldt throws a lazy right hand but Higgins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Higgins appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Akerfeldt keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Akerfeldt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Higgins.

Akerfeldt scores with a takedown into Higgins's guard.
Akerfeldt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Akerfeldt is looking to work some ground and pound but Higgins has wrist control.
Higgins keeping moving, preventing Akerfeldt from controlling successfully.
Higgins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akerfeldt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Akerfeldt wants to pass the guard but Higgins is keeping the position.
Akerfeldt trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akerfeldt is pushing down on Higgins's leg trying to pass to half guard. Higgins is fighting to maintain full guard but Akerfeldt has managed to sneak the leg through.
Akerfeldt working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Higgins's thigh. Higgins counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Higgins keeping full guard, as Akerfeldt tries to pass.
Akerfeldt trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.
Akerfeldt slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akerfeldt trying to move into half guard but instead Higgins has managed to sweep!

Akerfeldt working a defensive guard here.
Akerfeldt bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Higgins's guard.

Akerfeldt trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.
Akerfeldt slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerfeldt trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.
Akerfeldt stands and throws Higgins's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Higgins is not content to let Akerfeldt control the position.
Higgins is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Akerfeldt trying to control the action but Higgins is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akerfeldt remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Akerfeldt has hold of Higgins's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Higgins seems comfortable defending it but Akerfeldt has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Higgins is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Higgins is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Akerfeldt couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bjorn Akerfeldt!
Bjorn Akerfeldt decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.