PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wes Chapman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Higastsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Chapman
vs
Higastsui

183 cm
26
209 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Wes Chapman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sean Higastsui!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Higastsui closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Higastsui lands in his opponent's guard.
Higastsui trying to control but Chapman is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higastsui is pushing down on Chapman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Chapman is fighting to maintain full guard but Higastsui has managed to sneak the leg through.
Higastsui tries to pass the half guard into mount. Chapman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Chapman preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Chapman tries to get to full guard but Higastsui has control of the leg.
Higastsui wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chapman keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chapman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Higastsui drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Higastsui jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Higastsui wants to pass the guard but Chapman is keeping the position.
Chapman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Higastsui pushing down on Chapman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Chapman keeping hold of Higastsui's head, controlling as best he can.

Higastsui is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Chapman defends it well.
Higastsui is pressing down on Chapman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Chapman is holding on for now.

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.
Chapman wants to get back to full guard.

Higastsui is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Higastsui is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Higastsui is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Chapman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Higastsui.
Chapman is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Higastsui is pressing down on Chapman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Chapman is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chapman tries to get to full guard but Higastsui has control of the leg.
Chapman won't allow Higastsui to pass to mount.
Higastsui passes to side control.
Chapman is trying to control Higastsui's posture but Higastsui avoids it.
Chapman is looking to reverse the position.

Higastsui thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Higastsui is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Chapman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Higastsui tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's four 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.
Chapman manages to work his way to half guard, despite Higastsui's best efforts.
Higastsui is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Chapman has given up his back.
Chapman wants to escape the position.
Chapman wants to control his opponent's hands but Higastsui gets his hands free.

Higastsui looking to break Chapman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Chapman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Higastsui will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Chapman is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Higastsui has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Chapman has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Higastsui dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chapman feints and as Higastsui raises his hands in defense, Chapman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Chapman is looking to work some ground and pound but Higastsui has wrist control.
Chapman throws a big right hand that misses.
Higastsui is trying to keep Chapman in close.
Higastsui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Chapman throws and elbow that misses. Higastsui uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chapman's guard. Nice move by Higastsui!
Higastsui pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chapman is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higastsui wants to control from the top but Chapman keeps moving.
Higastsui looking to pass the guard.
Chapman looking for a sweep. Not yet Chapman, not yet.
Chapman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Higastsui trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Higastsui postures up.
Higastsui looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Higastsui decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Chapman is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Higastsui is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Chapman!

Higastsui goes for an armbar but Chapman turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Chapman.
Higastsui lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Chapman!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higastsui tries to control but Chapman wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higastsui avoids the attempt from Chapman to control.
Chapman keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Higastsui looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Sean Higastsui has got the better of the ground game so far.

Higastsui working for a submission but Chapman is keeping him at bay.
Chapman is trying to escape the mount.
Chapman sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chapman gets back to full guard.
Chapman has his hands on Higastsui's head, controlling the position.
Chapman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Chapman thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Higastsui to regain full guard.
Higastsui preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Higastsui is trying to keep Chapman in close.
Chapman throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sean Higastsui will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Chapman misses with a takedown

and Higastsui counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Higastsui.
Chapman can't keep his opponent in guard - Higastsui advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Chapman wants to improve his position but Higastsui is controlling well.
Chapman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Higastsui is working away from the top position though.
Chapman is refusing to be controlled, as Higastsui sits in half guard.
Higastsui has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Higastsui working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higastsui wants to control the pace but Chapman is squirming around nicely.

Higastsui goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Chapman turns into him and now he's in Higastsui's guard.
Chapman throws and elbow that misses. Higastsui uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chapman's guard. Nice move by Higastsui!
Chapman wants to sweep here but Higastsui controlling him for the moment.

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.
Chapman controls Higastsui momentarily but Higastsui frees himself.
Higastsui tries to free his leg and advance position but Chapman is retaining full guard.
Chapman keeping moving, preventing Higastsui from controlling successfully.
Higastsui works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Chapman is looking for a sweep. Higastsui is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Higastsui works his foot free and advances to mount.

Higastsui has control of Chapman's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Chapman regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higastsui is looking to work his way around to Chapman's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Higastsui tries to control but Chapman wriggling away.

Higastsui goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Chapman is on top in guard.
Chapman throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Chapman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chapman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Chapman is in close to Higastsui's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Chapman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Chapman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chapman thows a big elbow that misses.
Chapman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Chapman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Higastsui avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wes Chapman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chapman is looking to work some ground and pound but Higastsui has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Higastsui comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Higastsui has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Higastsui!