PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keith Higham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyrkki Hynynen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nyrkki Hynynen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Higham
vs
Hynynen

200 cm
20
215 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

179 cm
21
201 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

[MMABR] Winners' Supplements

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keith Higham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Nyrkki Hynynen!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higham shoots in for a double leg but Hynynen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Higham circles away from the clinch attempt.
Higham shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hynynen pinned against the cage. Hynynen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Higham swings for the body but Hynynen moves out of range.
Higham shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hynynen sprawls well. Hynynen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Higham gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Higham. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Higham looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hynynen!

Higham moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hynynen has worked his arm free - good work by Hynynen!
Higham working away.

Higham tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham is looking to take a break and control but Hynynen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Higham is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hynynen has escaped the position, nice work there.

Higham tries for a kimura but Hynynen is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
You can see the frustration on Hynynen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Higham tries for a kimura but Hynynen is defending well.
Hynynen wants to control but Higham postures up.

Higham tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Higham has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Higham swings around for an armbar but Hynynen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Higham's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Higham is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hynynen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Higham has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hynynen is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Higham.
Higham is trying to improve his position.

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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hynynen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Higham keeps working.
The strikes coming from Hynynen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Higham tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hynynen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Higham is trying to control Hynynen's posture but Hynynen avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keith Higham will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hynynen is looking to clinch.
Hynynen takes one on the button.
Higham swats away the attempt to clinch by Hynynen.

Higham forces Hynynen back against the ropes and clinches.
Hynynen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hynynen presses Higham against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hynynen stops a takedown attempt from Higham.
Hynynen is pressed up against the ropes. Higham has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hynynen down to the mat. Hynynen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Higham scores with a jab to the head.
Nyrkki Hynynen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Higham shoots in for a takedown but Hynynen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Higham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higham fails to land the takedown.
Hynynen tries to clinch

and Higham counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hynynen's guard now.
Higham will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hynynen is trying to control the position but Higham postures up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hynynen trying to control the position but Higham is working away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hynynen has knee on belly and moves into mount.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hynynen misses with a head shot.

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.
Hynynen throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Higham is looking to improve his position but Hynynen isn't that keen on the idea.
Hynynen wants to control the pace but Higham is squirming around nicely.
Hynynen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Hynynen misses with a head shot.
Hynynen looking to control but Higham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hynynen thowing shots but they're missing.
Hynynen looking to control but Higham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Higham is looking to improve his position but Hynynen isn't that keen on the idea.
Higham regains half guard.

That's four 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.
Higham is looking to improve his position.
Hynynen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Higham's head.
Higham wants to get back to full guard but Hynynen has passed into side control.
Higham bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nyrkki Hynynen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Hynynen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Higham.
Higham bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Higham stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Higham tests Hynynen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Higham is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Hynynen gets a clinch.
Higham is trying to drag Hynynen to the mat but Hynynen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Higham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hynynen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Higham tries to score a body lock takedown but Hynynen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Higham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higham tries for a takedown. No joy.
Higham is trying to drag Hynynen to the mat but Hynynen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Hynynen pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Higham tries for a takedown but Hynynen manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higham is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hynynen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Higham is trying to drag Hynynen to the mat but Hynynen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Higham wants a takedown.
Hynynen works on Higham's body with a couple of short punches.
Higham goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hynynen prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A body shot lands from Hynynen.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Higham as Hynynen tries to tie him up.
Higham letting Hynynen take a breather here.
Higham blocks a body shot from Hynynen.
Hynynen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hynynen gets underhooks to prevent Higham's takedown attempt.
Higham tries to score a body lock takedown but Hynynen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hynynen prevents the takedown attempt.
Hynynen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hynynen struggles to land a body shot inside as Higham controls his hands.
Hynynen scores with a hook to the body.
Higham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hynynen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Higham as Hynynen tries to tie him up.
Hynynen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hynynen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Higham is keeping busy.
Nice body punch from Hynynen.
Hynynen presses Higham against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Higham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hynynen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hynynen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Higham backwards.
Higham has Hynynen pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Hynynen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hynynen pushes Higham back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Higham wants a takedown but no success here.
Nice body punch from Hynynen.
Hynynen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hynynen lands a body punch.
Hynynen is leaning against Higham and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hynynen trying to control the position but instead, Higham has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hynynen into the ropes.
Higham takes a shot to the head.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Higham goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hynynen prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higham changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hynynen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hynynen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hynynen wants to clinch but Higham slips to the side
and Higham counters with an inside leg kick.
Higham is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Higham has a takedown stuffed.
Higham circles away from the clinch attempt

and Higham counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hynynen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Higham is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hynynen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Hynynen is looking to take a break and control but Higham is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hynynen works his way into side control.
Higham gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nyrkki Hynynen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hynynen 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 29:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!