PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pete Higgedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higgedy kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Fort Minor - In Stereo. On his way into the cage it seems that Pete Higgedy has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Pete Higgedy seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Higgedy
vs
Stevens

150 cm
26
138 lbs
7 - 12 - 0

178 cm
26
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

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 7 - 12 - 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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgedy is looking to clinch.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Higgedy throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stevens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Higgedy clinches but Stevens breaks the clinch
and Stevens counters with a three punch combo that has Higgedy backing up. Higgedy nods at Stevens to acknowledge the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Higgedy misses the target.
Higgedy misses with a low kick.

Stevens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Higgedy working a defensive guard here.
Higgedy is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Higgedy working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries to free his leg and advance position but Higgedy is retaining full guard.
Stevens lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevens stopping the sweep attempt from Higgedy.
Higgedy is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.

Pete Higgedy has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Higgedy throws a leg kick but Stevens sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stevens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Higgedy tries to clinch but Stevens moves away

and Stevens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

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.
Higgedy leaning against his opponent.
Higgedy pushes Stevens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Higgedy holds him up against the cage and eventually Stevens drops back down to his feet.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Higgedy holds him up against the cage and eventually Stevens drops back down to his feet.
Higgedy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stevens.
Stevens tries to pull guard but Higgedy holds him up against the cage and eventually Stevens drops back down to his feet.
Pete Higgedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Stevens.
Stevens tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Higgedy smiles and moves away.
Higgedy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevens.
Pete Higgedy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Higgedy wants to clinch but Stevens slips to the side

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Higgedy trying to keep a closed guard but Stevens is proving a slippery customer.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Higgedy keeps moving.
Stevens is looking to advance position but Higgedy has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stevens wants to control but Higgedy is having none of it.
Stevens keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Stevens bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Higgedy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevens looking to sit in guard and control but Higgedy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stevens throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevens 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgedy is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
Higgedy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stevens is trying to control the position but Higgedy postures up.
Higgedy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Higgedy is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.

Stevens looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Higgedy passes into half guard.
Nice strikes from Higgedy there.

Stevens looking for subs from the bottom but Higgedy mounts him!
Higgedy controlling the position easily from mount.
A nice elbow there by Higgedy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Stevens will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens ducks under a wild hook from Higgedy.
Higgedy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Higgedy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevens trying to control but Higgedy is working from the bottom.
Higgedy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stevens manages to get himself to full guard.
Higgedy wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stevens had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Higgedy defends it easily.

Stevens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Higgedy postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stevens is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Higgedy, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens tries to free his leg and advance position but Higgedy is retaining full guard.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Higgedy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Higgedy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Matt Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Higgedy working a defensive guard here.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stevens throws and elbow that misses. Higgedy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Higgedy!
Higgedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stevens working for a triangle but Higgedy defends it easily.
Higgedy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stevens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Higgedy is posturing up here but Stevens has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Higgedy tries to roll out but it's too tight and Higgedy has to tap! Slick submission there by Stevens!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Stevens!