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). Fofano's entrance music is City of Blinding Lights. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fofano
vs
Higham

187 cm
22
208 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

200 cm
19
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stanley Fofano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 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 closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Higham lands in his opponent's guard.

Higham postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Fofano is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Higham, into his guard.
Fofano tries to free his leg and advance position but Higham is retaining full guard.
Higham has Fofano pulled in close to control his posture.

Higham had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fofano is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Higham Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fofano's back instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fofano trying to control the hands but Higham won't let him.
Fofano might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Higham is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Fofano knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Fofano for a finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higham has got his arm under Fofano's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Fofano has spun round into Higham's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Fofano wants to get up but he can't break Higham's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Fofano trying to control the position from guard on top but Higham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fofano is really struggling to control Higham but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Higham is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Higham looking for a guillotine here but Fofano defends easily.

That's two 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.
Fofano tries to free his leg and advance position but Higham is retaining full guard.
Fofano trying to control the position from guard on top but Higham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Higham looking for subs off his back but Fofano has passed one foot through into half guard.
Fofano is trying to control. Higham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fofano is trying to work for a kimura but Higham is defending well.

Fofano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fofano is looking to advance position but Higham won't allow it.

Fofano is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Higham has managed to free his arm - good work.

Fofano is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Fofano is breathing heavily.

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.
Higham works his way to full guard. Good work.

Higham looking for a guillotine here but Fofano defends easily.

Fofano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Higham looking for a guillotine here but Fofano defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Higham dives in and grabs Fofano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fofano pushes down on Higham's head and hops out.
Fofano misses with a takedown attempt

and Higham counters with a nice double leg into guard.

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

Fofano looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Higham has picked Fofano up and slammed him! Fofano can't keep hold of the triangle and Higham manages to pass to side control!

Higham looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Higham has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Higham working for a submission but Fofano is keeping him at bay.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higham with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Fofano is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Fofano tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Higham has control of Fofano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Fofano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Fofano wants to hold on but Higham pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fofano is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Higham wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

Higham goes for an armbar but Fofano turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Fofano.

Higham looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fofano controls from within his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fofano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fofano is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Fofano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fofano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Higham is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fofano is aware though and is defending well.

Higham looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fofano tries to free his leg and advance position but Higham is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fofano trying to control the position from guard on top but Higham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fofano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higham is keeping the position for now.

Fofano stands and steps away. Higham gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fofano darts in trying to clinch

and Higham counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fofano won't be happy with that.

Higham tries for a kimura but Fofano is defending well.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Higham doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fofano counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Higham's guard now.

Higham has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fofano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Higham looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Fofano is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fofano loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fofano drops back looking for a leg! Higham is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Higham manages to kick Fofano off! Fofano jumps back into Higham's guard.

Fofano decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Higham, up you get!

Higham scores a takedown into full mount!

Higham has hold of Fofano's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Fofano manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Fofano tries to improve his position but instead Higham has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fofano is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Higham gets his way!

Higham looking for the RNC.
Fofano turns into Higham and is now in his guard.
Fofano wants to pass the guard but Higham is keeping the position.

Fofano is posturing up here but Higham has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Fofano tries to roll out but it's too tight and Fofano has to tap! Slick submission there by Higham!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Keith Higham!