PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andre Berto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duncan Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Berto
vs
Higgins

175 cm
23
150 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
150 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Andre Berto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Duncan Higgins!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Berto.
Berto shoots in and drives through. Higgins sprawls well.
Berto doesn't manage to clinch there - Higgins circles away.
Higgins thows a left - swing and a miss!

Higgins forces Berto back against the cage and clinches.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Higgins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Berto's efforts to push away.
Berto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Berto tries to land a knee to the head but Higgins blocks with his arms.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.
Berto misses with a knee to the head.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Berto avoids it.

Berto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Higgins doesn't manage to clinch there - Berto circles away.
Berto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higgins keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berto tries for a takedown but Higgins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Higgins checks the leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Higgins.

Higgins moves into range and clinches up with Berto.
Higgins lands a good knee to the midsection. Berto won't want to take too many of those.
Higgins landing knees to the body.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins lands a nice knee to the body.
Higgins lands a good knee to the midsection. Berto won't want to take too many of those.
Berto is breathing heavily.
Higgins lands a good knee to the midsection. Berto won't want to take too many of those.
Berto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Berto tries to break free but Higgins pushes him back against the cage.
Higgins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Higgins.
Higgins's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Higgins landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Higgins landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Higgins stalling in the clinch.
Higgins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Berto is defending well for now.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Higgins trying to land knees to the body.
Higgins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Higgins crunches a lovely knee into Berto's ribcage.
The referee calls for Higgins to work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Higgins lands an elbow inside that Berto shrugs off.
Berto has had enough of the clinch but Higgins keeps him there for the moment.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Berto wants to break free but Higgins has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Higgins landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Berto avoiding damage as Higgins throws knees to the body.
Berto wants to get back to striking at distance but Higgins won't allow it.
Higgins stalling in the clinch.
Higgins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Berto is defending well for now.
Higgins landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Berto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Berto tries a head kick but it misses.
Higgins moves in looking to clinch but Berto pushes him off.
A head kick misses from Berto.

Higgins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Berto, pushing him back against the cage.
Higgins is stalling here.

Berto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins throws a hook but Berto blocks it.
Berto tries to clinch

and Higgins counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Berto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Berto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Higgins.
Berto wants to stall.
Higgins takes a knee to the side of the body.
Higgins lands an elbow inside that Berto shrugs off.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Higgins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Higgins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Higgins landing knees to the body.
Berto has had enough of the clinch but Higgins keeps him there for the moment.
Berto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Higgins obliges.
Berto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Berto breaks the clinch.

Higgins rushes Berto and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A frustrated look appears on Berto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Berto avoids the damage to the body.
Higgins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Berto's efforts to push away.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Higgins stalling the fight.
Berto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Berto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Higgins with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Berto wants to stall.
Berto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Berto.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Berto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Higgins lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Berto using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Higgins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Berto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Berto looking to throw knees to the head but Higgins is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Higgins closes the distance and pushes Berto back into the cage.

Berto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Higgins tries to clinch but Berto moves out of range.

Higgins moves into the clinch.

Berto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Berto closes the distance looking to clinch

and Higgins moves into the clinch.
Higgins slows down the pace here.
Higgins lands a nice knee to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Higgins.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section. Berto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Higgins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Berto.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Berto crunches a lovely knee into Higgins's ribcage.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Higgins.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Higgins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Berto.
Berto wants to get back to striking at distance but Higgins won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Berto.
Higgins looking to slow down the pace here.
Berto can't break the clinch.

Berto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Berto throws a head kick that misses.
Berto misses with a head kick.
Berto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Berto scores with a push kick.
Berto throws a low kick, looking for Higgins's leg but Higgins calmly moves out of range.
Higgins misses with a head kick.
Berto looks to clinch

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch.
Berto is trying to break free.
Berto working hard to break the clinch.
Berto is trying to break free.
Higgins pressing his opponent against the cage.

Berto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berto swings for the body but Higgins moves out of range.
Berto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins wants to clinch.
Berto throws a solid leg kick but Higgins takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Berto.
Berto misses with a takedown attempt

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Higgins.
Berto is looking to break free of the clinch but Higgins has double underhooks.
Higgins working Berto over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Higgins obliges.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Berto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Berto tries to break free but Higgins pushes him back against the cage.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Duncan Higgins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Come on Higgins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Higgins keeps control of Berto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Berto is looking to break free of the clinch but Higgins has double underhooks.
Berto tries to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling the position.
Berto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section. Berto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Berto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Higgins content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Higgins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Berto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Higgins moves into the clinch successfully.
The referee calls for Higgins to work.
Berto landing knees to the body.
Higgins taking a breather.
Higgins looking to throw knees to the head but Berto is blocking nicely.

Berto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Berto.
Higgins finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

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.

Higgins has managed to clinch.
Berto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Higgins looking to slow down the pace here.

Berto breaks from the clinch.
Higgins wants to clinch up but Berto keeps it at a distance.
Berto throws a head kick that misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Higgins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Berto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Berto with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Higgins lands an elbow just above Berto 's eye.
Berto is trying to force a seperation but Higgins has the dominant position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Higgins.
Berto wants to get back to striking at distance but Higgins won't allow it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Higgins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan Higgins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Higgins has Berto up against the cage in a clinch.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Berto avoids the damage to the body.
Higgins keeps control of Berto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Berto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Berto working hard to break the clinch.

Berto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Berto loads up on a big right hand but Higgins slips the punch.
Higgins tries to land a leg kick but Berto saw it coming and moves away.
Higgins tries to land a leg kick but Berto saw it coming and moves away.
Berto throws a head kick that Higgins semi-blocks.

It looks like Duncan Higgins has been cut.
Andre Berto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Higgins instigates a clinch.
Higgins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Higgins lands a nice elbow.
Berto using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Higgins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Berto managing to block the knees to the body from Higgins.
Higgins lands an elbow inside that Berto shrugs off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Higgins scores with a knee to the head.
Higgins working Berto over with knees to the body.

Berto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berto clinches.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Berto is looking to break free of the clinch but Higgins has double underhooks.

Berto breaks from the clinch.

Higgins instigates a clinch.
Berto avoiding damage as Higgins throws knees to the body.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Berto avoids the damage to the body.
Higgins tries to land knees in the clinch but Berto avoids the damage to the body.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling him.
Higgins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Berto's efforts to push away.
Berto is trying to break free.
Higgins unloads a knee to the mid-section. Berto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Berto is trying to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling him.
Higgins lands an elbow that stopped Berto in his tracks for a moment.
Berto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Higgins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Berto's efforts to push away.
Berto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Berto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Higgins is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Berto is trying to break free.
Higgins scores a nice knee to the body.

Berto manages to break the clinch.
Higgins tries to clinch up.
Berto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Higgins is looking to clinch but Berto is avoiding it.

Higgins instigates a clinch.

Berto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Berto.

Higgins takes the fight into the clinch.
Berto has had enough of the clinch but Higgins keeps him there for the moment.
Higgins scores with a knee to the head.
Berto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Higgins crunches a lovely knee into Berto's ribcage.
Higgins has Berto pressed against the cage, preventing Berto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Berto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Berto is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Knees in the clinch landing for Higgins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berto avoiding damage as Higgins throws knees to the body.
Higgins pushes off an throws an elbow but Berto leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Higgins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Higgins stalling in the clinch but Berto improves position.

Berto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Berto tries a head kick but it misses.

Higgins moves into the clinch.
Berto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Higgins lands a nice knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Berto wants to get back to striking at distance but Higgins won't allow it.
Higgins slows down the pace here.
Berto working hard to break the clinch.
Berto can't break the clinch.
Higgins slowing the pace effectively.
Higgins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Berto is defending well for now.

Berto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Higgins tries to clinch but Berto moves out of range.
Berto tries to clinch up.
Higgins closes the distance looking to clinch
and Berto counters with a head kick.
Berto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Berto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Higgins moves into range and clinches up with Berto.
Andre Berto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higgins crunches a lovely knee into Berto's ribcage.
Duncan Higgins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Higgins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Berto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Berto wants to get back to striking at distance but Higgins won't allow it.
Berto tries to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling the position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Berto looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Berto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Berto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duncan Higgins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Higgins winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duncan Higgins!