PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadik Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Higgins
vs
Junior

172 cm
26
280 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

188 cm
19
243 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vadik Junior!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Higgins feints and as Junior raises his hands in defense, Higgins changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higgins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Higgins with a flurry of punches that miss.
Junior utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Higgins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Higgins throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
Higgins advances to half guard.
Higgins seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Higgins there.
Nice strikes from Higgins there.
Junior is trying to stand back up but Higgins is controlling him
Junior keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Junior controlling the position well.
Higgins looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Junior with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Higgins there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
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. Higgins connects with a nice short shot to Junior's temple.

It looks like Vadik Junior has been cut.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higgins winds up and cracks Junior with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Higgins thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Junior's head.
Junior is trying to stand back up but Higgins is controlling him
Junior on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Higgins.
Junior tries to get to full guard but Higgins has control of the leg.
Higgins thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Higgins lands with a punch from half guard.
Higgins thows a huge punch but Junior dodges it nicely.
Junior really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgins working the head and body with strikes.

That has opened up Vadik Junior's cut even more.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Higgins looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

The cut above Vadik Junior's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Junior wants to control but Higgins is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior has hold of Higgins's hands but Higgins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Higgins landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Vadik Junior's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Vadik Junior's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). John Higgins!