PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pete Higgedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stuno Mashinata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higgedy comes to the cage accompanied by Fort Minor - In Stereo. Stuno Mashinata will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Higgedy
vs
Mashinata

150 cm
24
138 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

175 cm
20
139 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Russian Mob Nutrition (159 Recovery - $150)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pete Higgedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stuno Mashinata!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgedy lands a really nice looking cross but Mashinata seems unphased.
Mashinata closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Higgedy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pete Higgedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higgedy wants to clinch.

Mashinata shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Higgedy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higgedy wants to control but Mashinata is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Mashinata is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Mashinata is looking for a kimura here.
Higgedy is staying active underneath Mashinata, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgedy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mashinata is working away from the top position though.

Mashinata is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mashinata tries to pass the half guard into mount. Higgedy knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Mashinata decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mashinata wants to pass to mount but Higgedy is defending the position.
Higgedy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mashinata is working away from the top position though.
Mashinata prevents Higgedy from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mashinata slips a nice elbow through Higgedy's hands, connecting with Higgedy's forehead.
Mashinata trying to advance position but Higgedy counters by regaining guard.
Mashinata slips nicely into half guard.
Mashinata is trying to control. Higgedy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Higgedy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mashinata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mashinata's back!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mashinata covers up after that shot from Higgedy.
Higgedy scores with punches to the body.
Mashinata tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Higgedy lands a big shot there that rocks Mashinata but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Higgedy landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mashinata is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgedy working Mashinata over with strikes here.
Mashinata regains half guard.
Higgedy is taking a breather. Mashinata says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mashinata avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Higgedy.
Higgedy wants to take a breather but Mashinata is having none of it.
Mashinata avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Higgedy.
Mashinata wants to control but Higgedy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mashinata trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Mashinata is trying desperately to improve position.

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.
Higgedy landing strikes from the mount.
Higgedy trying to control but Mashinata is having none of it.
Higgedy avoids the attempt from Mashinata to control.
Mashinata manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Higgedy working over Mashinata with some ground and pound. Mashinata looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Mashinata is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Higgedy pulls his head out easily.
Mashinata trying to control but Higgedy postures up.
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 Pete Higgedy will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Higgedy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Higgedy swats away the attempt to clinch by Mashinata.
Higgedy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Higgedy.
Mashinata blocks a head kick by Higgedy.
Higgedy lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mashinata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mashinata.
Higgedy throws a body punch but Mashinata moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mashinata fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Higgedy sprawls well initially but Mashinata persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mashinata prevents Higgedy from improving his position.
Mashinata trying to pass the guard but Higgedy defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgedy is controlling Mashinata's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Higgedy manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Higgedy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mashinata.
Higgedy misses with a body kick.
Higgedy wants to clinch
and Higgedy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mashinata cracks a nice hook into Higgedy's ribs.
Higgedy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mashinata counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Higgedy avoiding damage as Mashinata throws knees to the body.
Higgedy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mashinata backwards.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Higgedy tries a knee to the head but Mashinata blocks it.
Mashinata tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Higgedy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mashinata's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mashinata using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Higgedy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mashinata managing to block the knees to the body from Higgedy.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higgedy throws an elbow but misses.
Mashinata taking a breather.
Nice body punch from Higgedy - that landed with a thud.
Mashinata with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nice elbow from Mashinata.
A knee to the head by Higgedy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mashinata tries to stall but Higgedy uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mashinata misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Higgedy.
Mashinata stalling in the clinch but Higgedy improves position.
Higgedy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mashinata has him pressed against the cage.
Higgedy being controlled against the cage.
Higgedy prevents a takedown attempt there.
A bit of stalling here from Higgedy.

Higgedy breaks the clinch.
Higgedy tries to clinch there but Mashinata circles away.
Mashinata misses with a takedown attempt - Higgedy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pete Higgedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stuno Mashinata.
Mashinata fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mashinata throws a right hand that Higgedy ducks under and follows up with a left that Higgedy also avoids with ease.

Mashinata gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Higgedy to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Higgedy connects with a couple of short punches.
Higgedy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Mashinata throws his legs up looking for a submission but Higgedy uses it to pass to side control.
Mashinata is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Higgedy working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Higgedy grinds an elbow into Mashinata's temple.
Higgedy in side control lands a decent elbow.

Higgedy stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgedy thows a leg kick but Mashinata checks it

so Mashinata counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higgedy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mashinata manages to get himself to full guard.

Higgedy is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mashinata is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mashinata has escaped and now he's on top!
Mashinata trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mashinata preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mashinata trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mashinata advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Stuno Mashinata will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Higgedy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mashinata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A combination from Higgedy does no damage.
Mashinata wants to clinch.
Mashinata avoids a punch combination nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mashinata, as that shot connected.
Higgedy circles away from the clinch attempt.

Higgedy clinches.

Mashinata tightens his grip and picks Higgedy up, before dumping him to the ground. Higgedy manages to land in guard.
Higgedy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mashinata is controlling him.
Higgedy working a defensive guard here.
Higgedy wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mashinata pushes down on Higgedy's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stuno Mashinata has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mashinata is trying to work for a kimura but Higgedy is defending well.
Mashinata trying to pass the guard but Higgedy defending well.
Mashinata trying to control the pace.
Higgedy is staying active underneath Mashinata, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Higgedy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higgedy is pressing down on Mashinata's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two 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.
Mashinata wants to control from the top but Higgedy keeps moving.
Higgedy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mashinata wants to control from the top but Higgedy keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mashinata taking a bit of punishment here - Higgedy scoring with strikes.
Higgedy grinds an elbow into Mashinata's temple.
Higgedy works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mashinata is looking to reverse the position.
Mashinata is not content to let Higgedy control the position.

Higgedy is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mashinata knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mashinata is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mashinata is trying to control but can't.
Mashinata is pressing down on Higgedy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mashinata is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mashinata is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Higgedy drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mashinata dives on top into guard.
Higgedy keeping moving, preventing Mashinata from controlling successfully.
Higgedy wants to stand but Mashinata is controlling the position.
Mashinata passes Higgedy's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stuno Mashinata comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mashinata 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Stuno Mashinata!