PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sascha Golobew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Highsmith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Golobew
vs
Highsmith

178 cm
21
165 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

179 cm
20
165 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sascha Golobew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brad Highsmith!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Highsmith is looking to clinch but Golobew is avoiding it.
Highsmith shoots in but Golobew avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Highsmith gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Golobew lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Highsmith is trying to control the position but Golobew postures up.
Golobew working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Highsmith's head.
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.
Highsmith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Highsmith working a defensive guard here.
Highsmith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Golobew.
Golobew advances to half guard.
Golobew has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Highsmith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Golobew is working away from the top position though.
Golobew missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highsmith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Golobew.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Golobew connects with a nice short shot to Highsmith's temple.
Highsmith is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Golobew scores with a couple of nice shots.
Golobew not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Golobew thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Highsmith to regain full guard.
Golobew scoring with punches to the head and body.
Golobew trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Golobew in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Highsmith looking for a sweep. Not yet Highsmith, not yet.
Highsmith has momentary wrist control but Golobew slips an elbow through the middle.
Highsmith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Golobew.
Golobew thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Golobew has gone for a leg lock! Highsmith slips out almost immediately though and dives into Golobew's guard.

Golobew has his foot on Highsmith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Highsmith works his way back into a safe position though.
Golobew is breathing heavily.
Highsmith wants to control from the top but Golobew keeps moving.
Golobew looking to hit a scissor sweep but Highsmith is one step ahead there.
Golobew is trying to keep Highsmith in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golobew has control of Highsmith's left arm, preventing Highsmith from doing any damage.

Highsmith drops back, looking for a kneebar! Golobew looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Golobew looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Golobew!
Golobew throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Highsmith works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Golobew sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Highsmith defending well though.
Highsmith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Golobew.

That's four 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.
Golobew sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Highsmith defending well though.
Highsmith tries to get to full guard but Golobew has control of the leg.
Highsmith is trying is best to control the position here.
Highsmith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Golobew.
Golobew takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Golobew lands a nice short elbow.
Golobew is nestled in close to Highsmith, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Highsmith is trying to stand back up but Golobew is controlling him
Golobew throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Highsmith wants to get back to his feet.
Golobew not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sascha Golobew dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Golobew closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Highsmith to the mat! Highsmith manages to get full guard.
Golobew keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Highsmith's head.
Golobew connects with a couple of short punches.
Highsmith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Golobew lands a couple of elbows.
Golobew looking to pass the guard.
Highsmith is trying to keep Golobew in close.
Golobew landing some decent shots from guard.

Golobew drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Highsmith manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Golobew has Highsmith in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golobew wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Golobew is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Highsmith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Golobew keeping full guard, as Highsmith tries to pass.
Golobew throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Golobew controls Highsmith momentarily but Highsmith frees himself.

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.
Golobew tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Golobew keeping moving, preventing Highsmith from controlling successfully.

Golobew is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Highsmith trying to control but Golobew is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Highsmith tries to bum rush Golobew with a series of wild strikes but Golobew uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Highsmith fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Golobew fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Highsmith on the side of the head.
Highsmith throws a low kick but Golobew moves out of range easily.
Golobew shoots in looking for a takedown. Highsmith tries to sprawl out of it but Golobew keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Highsmith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Highsmith drives through and clinches with Golobew against the ropes.

Highsmith breaks the clinch.
Brad Highsmith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Highsmith takes the fight into the clinch.

Highsmith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Highsmith throws a sloppy head kick and Golobew moves out of range easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Highsmith.
Highsmith is looking to land body kicks.
Highsmith throws a leg kick but Golobew sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Brad Highsmith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Highsmith tries to close the distance and clinch but Golobew swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Golobew uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Highsmith has time to react.
Highsmith wants to land a leg kick but Golobew is out of range.

Golobew closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Golobew lands in his opponent's guard.
Golobew missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Golobew cracks Highsmith with a solid left hand.
Highsmith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Highsmith seems keen to control Golobew's posture.
Golobew is looking to work some ground and pound but Highsmith has wrist control.
Golobew working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Golobew working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Highsmith wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sascha Golobew dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Golobew avoids a punch combination nicely.
Highsmith throws a head kick but Golobew moves out of range.

Golobew scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Highsmith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Golobew.
Golobew is thwarting Highsmith's attempts to control the position.
Golobew tries to pass to full mount but Highsmith defends it.
Nice strikes from Golobew there.
Golobew working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Golobew missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Golobew is looking for a kimura but Highsmith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Golobew to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golobew seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Highsmith trying to control from the bottom.
Golobew sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Highsmith defending well though.
Highsmith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Golobew looking to pass the guard.
Highsmith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Highsmith keeping full guard, as Golobew tries to pass.
Highsmith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Golobew is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Highsmith is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Highsmith has escaped and now he's on top!

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.
Highsmith tries to stand but Golobew is controlling from the bottom.
Golobew wants to sweep here but Highsmith controlling him for the moment.
Highsmith wants to control from the top but Golobew keeps moving.
Highsmith tries to free his leg and advance position but Golobew is retaining full guard.
Golobew managing to control the position.
Sascha Golobew overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highsmith trying to control but Golobew is working from the bottom.

Golobew isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Highsmith stacks Golobew on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Highsmith!
Golobew wants to control but Highsmith postures up.
Highsmith tries to stand but Golobew is controlling his head.
Golobew struggling a bit here.

That's four 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.
Golobew is looking for a sweep.
Golobew is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Highsmith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Golobew slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Golobew preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sascha Golobew showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Golobew, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Sascha Golobew!
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Sascha Golobew!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Sascha Golobew!

Sascha Golobew wins by unanimous decision!