PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Duncan Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fernandez has chosen Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle as his entrance music. Andy Fernandez is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Higgins
vs
Fernandez

180 cm
24
150 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

160 cm
24
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Duncan Higgins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Fernandez!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgins throws a solid leg kick but Fernandez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Higgins.
Nice takedown defense from Higgins. No joy for Fernandez on that attempt.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Higgins tries to clinch up.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Higgins finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgins walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fernandez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez has a takedown stuffed.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Duncan Higgins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.

Higgins moves into the clinch successfully.
Fernandez tries for a takedown but Higgins manages to get underhooks.
Duncan Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Fernandez.
Higgins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Higgins lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Fernandez wants a takedown but no success here.
Higgins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Fernandez goes for a takedown attempt but Higgins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Higgins keeps Fernandez at a distance using the push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Higgins looks for the body kick but Fernandez saw that one coming.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.

Higgins rushes Fernandez and presses him up against the cage.
Fernandez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Higgins pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fernandez avoids it.
Fernandez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees to the body from Higgins.
Fernandez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Higgins crunches a lovely knee into Fernandez's ribcage.
A bit of stalling here from Higgins.
Fernandez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Higgins landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Higgins stalls.
Higgins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fernandez.
Fernandez takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins working Fernandez over with knees to the body.
Higgins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fernandez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Higgins lands an elbow just above Fernandez 's eye.
Higgins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Higgins stalling the fight.
Knees to the body from Higgins.
Fernandez wants a takedown.
Fernandez looks gassed!
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fernandez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Higgins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Higgins stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Duncan Higgins.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan Higgins dominated that round.
That's time! Higgins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Higgins tries to clinch there but Fernandez circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Higgins tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.
Fernandez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Higgins feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fernandez's calf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez ducks under a wild hook from Higgins.
Fernandez shoots for a double leg takedown but Higgins sprawls well. He's pushed Fernandez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Higgins misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a straight right.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Higgins tries to clinch up.
Higgins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
Higgins swings for the body but Fernandez moves out of range.
Fernandez shoots in but no luck this time.
Duncan Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Fernandez.
Fernandez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Higgins.

Higgins moves into range and clinches up with Fernandez.
Higgins prevents the takedown attempt.

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.
Higgins slows down the pace here.
Fernandez can't get the takedown.
Stalling in the clinch from Higgins.
Higgins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Higgins scores a nice knee to the body.
Higgins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fernandez is breathing heavily.
Higgins has Fernandez pushed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Duncan Higgins.
Higgins tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Some bone on bone action there as Fernandez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A slow jab from Higgins misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.
A head kick misses from Higgins.

Higgins rushes Fernandez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fernandez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Higgins landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Higgins stops a takedown attempt from Fernandez.
Higgins gets underhooks to prevent Fernandez's takedown attempt.
Fernandez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Higgins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Higgins slowing the pace effectively.
Fernandez avoiding damage as Higgins throws knees to the body.
Higgins avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Higgins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Higgins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fernandez's defenses.
Fernandez managing to block the knees to the body from Higgins.
Fernandez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Higgins lands a damaging elbow.
Come on Higgins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Higgins lands a nice knee to the body.
Duncan Higgins has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Fernandez avoids the damage to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Higgins landing knees to the body.
Higgins is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fernandez tries to score a body lock takedown but Higgins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan Higgins dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Higgins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Higgins throws and low kick but Fernandez moves out of range easily.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fernandez fails with a takedown attempt.
Higgins tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Higgins misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Higgins doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Duncan Higgins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fernandez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Higgins as he jumps to the side.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Higgins moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez pushes him off.
Fernandez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higgins tries to clinch there but Fernandez circles away.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Higgins tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernandez defending well as Higgins loads up on a big left hand.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.
Higgins tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins slaps away a takedown attempt from Fernandez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Duncan Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Fernandez.
Higgins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Higgins tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
Fernandez blocks a low kick nicely.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgins doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernandez.
Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fernandez shoots in but no luck this time.
Fernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Higgins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Higgins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higgins tries to clinch but Fernandez moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan Higgins clearly takes that round.
That's time! Higgins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernandez swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.
Higgins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Higgins tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Higgins tries to clinch up but Fernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Higgins throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fernandez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Higgins.
Higgins misses with an uppercut. Fernandez saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Higgins looks to score with a jab to the body but Fernandez is just out of range.
Fernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins throws a head kick but Fernandez moves out of range.
Higgins wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Higgins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fernandez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Higgins gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Higgins stalling in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Higgins.
Higgins lands a nice elbow.
Knees in the clinch landing for Higgins.
Higgins controlling the action here for a moment.
Fernandez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Higgins lands a knee to the body.
Fernandez can't get the takedown.
Fernandez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Higgins working Fernandez over with knees to the body.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Fernandez avoids the damage to the body.
Fernandez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Higgins pulls his leg out and moves away.
Duncan Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Fernandez.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Fernandez is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Higgins clinches up with Fernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Higgins.
Higgins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Higgins lands an elbow that stopped Fernandez in his tracks for a moment.
Higgins is pushing Fernandez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Higgins.
Higgins gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Higgins lands a good knee to the midsection. Fernandez won't want to take too many of those.
Fernandez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Higgins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Higgins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fernandez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Higgins lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fernandez wants a takedown.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Come on Higgins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice elbow from Higgins.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.
Higgins leaning against his opponent.
Higgins lands a damaging elbow.
Fernandez wants a takedown.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Higgins lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan Higgins had his way with Andy Fernandez in 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. This is the final round!

Fernandez drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fernandez 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.
Higgins wants to sweep here but Fernandez controlling him for the moment.
Higgins wants to stand up but Fernandez is controlling him.
Higgins wants to sweep here but Fernandez controlling him for the moment.

Fernandez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
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.

Fernandez 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez looking to pass the guard.
Higgins trying to control the position here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Higgins tries to clinch there but Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Higgins. No joy for Fernandez on that attempt.

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.
Fernandez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Higgins is fending him off so far but Fernandez persists. Nope, Higgins circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernandez.
Duncan Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Fernandez.
Higgins lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Higgins misses with a head kick.
Higgins tries to clinch but Fernandez is having none of it.

Higgins clinches up with Fernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Higgins crunches a lovely knee into Fernandez's ribcage.
Higgins slows down the pace here.
Fernandez goes for a takedown attempt but Higgins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Duncan Higgins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Higgins clinches up with Fernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Higgins landing knees to the body.
Higgins landing knees to the body.
Higgins landing knees to the head.
Higgins is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Higgins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fernandez's defenses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Higgins obliges.
Higgins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Fernandez is working for takedown but Higgins is calmly controlling the position for now.
Andy Fernandez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Higgins stalling against the cage.
Fernandez goes for a takedown attempt but Higgins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Duncan Higgins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Higgins clinches with his opponent.
Higgins just leaning against Fernandez, taking a breather.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duncan Higgins showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Higgins, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duncan Higgins!
Duncan Higgins is the new featherweight champion!