PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Higginson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timofey Mozgov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mozgov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Linkin Park - Crawling. Timofey Mozgov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Matt Higginson's chin.

Higginson
vs
Mozgov

182 cm
25
262 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

196 cm
19
263 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matt Higginson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timofey Mozgov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mozgov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Higginson connects with a looping right hand.
Higginson is looking to slow Mozgov down with leg kicks.
Higginson is looking to land body kicks.
Nice body kick from Higginson.
Mozgov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Higginson on the side of the head.
Higginson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Higginson. That's going to slow Mozgov down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higginson connects with a solid leg kick.
Mozgov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Higginson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Higginson throws a push kick but Mozgov slaps the foot to one side.

Oooh a lovely combination from Mozgov sends Higginson down but not out. Mozgov dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Matt Higginson has been cut.

Mozgov decides to stand back up.
Mozgov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Higginson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mozgov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mozgov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mozgov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Higginson circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Mozgov.
Higginson throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mozgov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Higginson wants to clinch.
Higginson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mozgov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higginson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Higginson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mozgov looks to land a combination but Higginson avoids it well.
Mozgov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higginson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Higginson clinches up with Mozgov and pushes him back against the cage.
Higginson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Higginson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mozgov avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Mozgov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Mozgov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mozgov throws a right and a left that Higginson avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mozgov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Higginson can pounce on him.
Mozgov looks winded!
Mozgov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mozgov misses with a two punch combination.
Higginson tries to clinch there but Mozgov circles away.
Higginson throws a body kick that misses.
Higginson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Higginson is looking to clinch but Mozgov is avoiding it.
Higginson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Higginson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Higginson lands with a nice body kick.
Mozgov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higginson.

Higginson gets a clinch.
Mozgov wants to get back to striking at distance but Higginson won't allow it.
Mozgov blocks a body shot from Higginson.
Mozgov blocking some punches.
Higginson is trying to break the clinch but Mozgov has him pressed against the cage.
Higginson can't find room to land a body shot as Mozgov controls the action.
Mozgov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higginson has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mozgov's elbow.
Mozgov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Higginson trying to land knees to the body.
Higginson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mozgov.

Mozgov breaks the clinch.
Higginson misses the jab.
Mozgov misses with the combination.
A thudding body kick lands there by Higginson!
Mozgov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mozgov thows a body shot but no joy.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mozgov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Timofey Mozgov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higginson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mozgov will feel that in the morning.
Higginson cracks the inside of Mozgov's front leg.
Higginson moves in looking to clinch but Mozgov pushes him off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mozgov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Higginson.
Higginson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mozgov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higginson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Higginson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mozgov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higginson tries to clinch but Mozgov moves out of range.
Higginson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mozgov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Higginson. That one must have hurt.
Mozgov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Higginson.
Higginson lands a lovely overhand right.
Higginson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mozgov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Higginson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mozgov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Both fighters circling a little - Higginson finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mozgov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Higginson - the referee stops the clock and Mozgov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Higginson. Mozgov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A good leg kick by Higginson.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higginson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Higginson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Higginson looks for the body kick but Mozgov saw that one coming.
Higginson throws a sloppy head kick and Mozgov moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Higginson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Higginson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Higginson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mozgov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mozgov feints a jab promting Higginson to slip. Mozgov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Higginson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Higginson slips a jab and a cross from Mozgov.
Higginson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Higginson connects with a solid leg kick.
Timofey Mozgov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mozgov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mozgov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mozgov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mozgov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Higginson counters with an outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mozgov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mozgov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Higginson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mozgov is breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Higginson.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mozgov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice body kick from Higginson.
Mozgov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mozgov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mozgov on the side of the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Higginson.
Higginson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mozgov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Higginson throws a leg kick which misses Mozgov's front leg but catches the back leg as Mozgov tries to avoid it.
Higginson connects with a looping right hand.
Mozgov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higginson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Higginson thuds his shin into the meat of Mozgov's side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Higginson scores with a nice body kick.
Higginson looks to land a combination. Mozgov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Mozgov is rocked!

Higginson clinches up with Mozgov and pushes him back against the cage.
Mozgov is still on wobbly legs! Can Higginson finish him?
Higginson tries to land a knee to the head but Mozgov blocks with his arms.
Higginson misses with a punch to the body.
Mozgov seems to have recovered his senses.
Higginson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Higginson misses with a punch on the inside.
Higginson lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mozgov prevents Higginson from breaking the clinch.
Mozgov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Higginson tries to land knees in the clinch but Mozgov avoids the damage to the body.
Higginson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Higginson misses with a hook to the ribs.

Higginson breaks the clinch.
Higginson tries to clinch there but Mozgov circles away.
Higginson thumps Mozgov with a low kick.
Higginson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mozgov takes a step back to recover.
Higginson scores with a shot to the body.
Mozgov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higginson thows a body kick. Mozgov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Mozgov slips under a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginson.
Higginson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mozgov avoids the head kick by Higginson.
Higginson tries to clinch but Mozgov moves out of range.
Mozgov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higginson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mozgov takes a step back to recover.
Higginson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Higginson has Mozgov up against the cage in a clinch.
Higginson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mozgov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Higginson manages to break the clinch.
Higginson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mozgov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from Mozgov. Those never looked like landing.
Mozgov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Higginson is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mozgov at a distance.
A head kick misses from Higginson.
Mozgov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Higginson counters with a leg kick.
Mozgov keeps the fight on the outside.
Matt Higginson is winning the standup battle so far.
Higginson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mozgov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Higginson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mozgov can do to turn this around?
Higginson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mozgov will feel that in the morning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Higginson connects with a solid leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginson.
Higginson just misses with a punch to the body.
Mozgov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginson.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higginson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mozgov will feel that in the morning.
Higginson connects with a jab.
Higginson feints and then cracks Mozgov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mozgov down.
Higginson misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Higginson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matt Higginson's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Higginson scores with a jab to the head.
Higginson just misses with a punch to the body.
Higginson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mozgov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mozgov throws a low kick but Higginson avoids it.
Mozgov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Higginson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mozgov is out of range and Higginson settles back down.
Nice straight punches there by Higginson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Higginson.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginson.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginson.
Mozgov throws a leg kick that misses.
Higginson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Higginson dodges the punch combination from Mozgov.
Mozgov looks to land a combination but Higginson avoids it well.
Mozgov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mozgov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Higginson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A good leg kick by Higginson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginson moves in looking to clinch but Mozgov pushes him off.
Higginson scoring well with a low kick there.
Higginson scoring well with a low kick there.
Higginson throws a shot to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Higginson. Mozgov shrugs it off though.
Mozgov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Higginson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Higginson tries to clinch there but Mozgov circles away.
Higginson throws a leg kick which misses Mozgov's front leg but catches the back leg as Mozgov tries to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higginson misses with a body shot.
Higginson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mozgov's sensitive parts.
Higginson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mozgov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Higginson.
Higginson sizes up Mozgov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mozgov moves out of range of the body kick from Higginson.
Mozgov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Higginson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higginson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Higginson misses with a wild body shot.
Mozgov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mozgov ducks right into an uppercut from Higginson.
Higginson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mozgov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Higginson throws a body kick that misses.
Good shot there by Mozgov.
Higginson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Higginson wants to clinch up but Mozgov keeps it at a distance.
Mozgov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
No joy there for Mozgov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mozgov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higginson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mozgov.
No joy there for Mozgov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Higginson scores with a leg kick.
Higginson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Mozgov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Mozgov does no damage.
Mozgov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Higginson misses with a kick to the body.
Mozgov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Higginson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mozgov's head backwards.
Higginson lunges at Mozgov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mozgov's hand.
Higginson misses with a low kick as Mozgov jumps back.
Higginson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Higginson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mozgov.
Mozgov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higginson.
Higginson lands a glancing blow to the side of Mozgov's head.
Mozgov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mozgov lands a two punch combo.
Higginson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Higginson lands a head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mozgov digs a good hook to Higginson's body.
Higginson lands the left hand.
No joy there for Mozgov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A good leg kick by Higginson.
Higginson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Higginson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mozgov manages to avoid it.
Mozgov blocks the body kick.
Mozgov misses with a wild combination.
Mozgov avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mozgov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mozgov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Higginson rather than just go for the knockout.
Mozgov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Higginson backs up against the cage.
Timofey Mozgov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higginson slips a jab and a cross from Mozgov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Higginson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Higginson, 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Higginson!
Matt Higginson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.