PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stanley Fofano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Higham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fofano might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to City of Blinding Lights. Keith Higham will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Fofano
vs
Higham

187 cm
22
208 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

200 cm
19
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stanley Fofano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keith Higham!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higham tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Keith Higham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higham walks into a straight right hand from Fofano.
Higham stuffs the takedown attempt from Fofano. Fofano gets slowly back to his feet.
Fofano shoots for a takedown but Higham saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Higham bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Higham has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Higham shoots and misses

and Fofano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Higham's guard.
Fofano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higham is keeping the position for now.
Higham wants to stand up but Fofano is controlling him.
Fofano tries to free his leg and advance position but Higham is retaining full guard.
Fofano passes Higham's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham wants to get back to his feet.
Fofano wants to take a breather but Higham is having none of it.
Higham is trying to stand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fofano fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fofano doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Higham counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanley Fofano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Fofano is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Higham pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Higham working Fofano over with knees to the body.
Fofano is breathing heavily.
Fofano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Higham gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Higham putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fofano in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Higham missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fofano tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the ropes and eventually Fofano drops back down to his feet.
Higham scores a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fofano avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham lands a knee to the body.
Higham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Higham lands a damaging elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fofano's brow.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Fofano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Fofano manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Higham wants to get up but he can't break Fofano's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Higham must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Higham stopping the sweep attempt from Fofano.

Higham gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higham tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Fofano counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Higham!
Higham wants to try and get back to his feet.
Fofano tries to control but Higham wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higham is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Fofano looking to control but Higham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Fofano looking for a guillotine from mount but Higham is having none of it.
Fofano trying to control but Higham is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Higham dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Higham has closed the distance and engaged Fofano in a clinch.
Higham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fofano blocks an elbow strike.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fofano blocks the elbow strike.
Fofano drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fofano is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Fofano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fofano's brow.
Higham prevents Fofano from breaking the clinch.
Fofano is trying to drag Higham to the mat but Higham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanley Fofano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fofano avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Fofano blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fofano's brow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fofano's brow.
Fofano drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fofano avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham lands an elbow inside.
Higham using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice elbow from Higham.
Higham lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Fofano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fofano takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Stanley Fofano has been cut.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fofano's brow.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fofano blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Fofano blocks the elbow strike.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Fofano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Higham lands a damaging elbow.
Fofano has had enough of the clinch but Higham keeps him there for the moment.
Fofano blocks the elbow strike.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fofano is trying to drag Higham to the mat but Higham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Higham prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fofano is working for takedown but Higham is calmly controlling the position for now.
Higham is pressed up against the ropes. Fofano has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Higham down to the mat. Higham avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Higham tries to clinch but Fofano moves away

and Fofano counters with a shoot takedown. Higham fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Higham has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Fofano off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higham wants to clinch but Fofano slips to the side
and Fofano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Higham shoots in but Fofano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fofano fails with the takedown

and Higham counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Higham gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Higham clinches but Fofano breaks the clinch

and Fofano counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fofano.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higham wants to stand but Fofano is controlling the position.
Fofano wants to control from the top but Higham keeps moving.

Fofano drops back, looking for a kneebar! Higham looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Higham looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Higham!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Higham decides to stand back up.
Fofano swats away the attempt to clinch by Higham.
Fofano has his takedown stuffed

and Higham counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Fofano throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Higham escapes and throws Fofano's legs to the side, diving into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Higham stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Higham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stanley Fofano's cut.
That's time! Fofano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Higham scores a takedown into full mount!
Fofano is trying desperately to improve position.
Keith Higham has got the better of the ground game so far.

Higham gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Higham looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Higham escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higham misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jab by Fofano.
Fofano keeps the fight on the outside.

Fofano drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fofano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fofano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fofano prevents Higham from getting back to his feet.
Fofano is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higham wants to stand but Fofano is controlling the position.
Higham is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Fofano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fofano won't allow Higham to get back to his feet.
Fofano looking to sit in guard and control but Higham gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fofano tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fofano looks for a takedown but Higham sprawls well.
Higham wants to clinch but Fofano slips to the side

and Fofano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Higham's guard.
Fofano looking to pass the guard.

Higham wriggles free and stands up.

Higham fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fofano, pushing him back against the ropes.
Fofano avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Fofano is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Stanley Fofano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higham tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fofano avoids it.
Keith Higham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham is pressed up against the ropes. Fofano has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Higham down to the mat. Higham avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Higham tries to clinch but Fofano moves away

and Fofano counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Fofano is working for a kimura but Higham is defending it quite comfortably.
Fofano stops Higham from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fofano not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Fofano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Higham sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Stanley Fofano.
I think Higham 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Higham!