PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robt Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robt Riley had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Riley
vs
Hightower

210 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

200 cm
24
285 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Robt Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Hightower!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hightower shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hightower showed some decent athleticism there.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Riley is trying to maintain the position but Hightower is very close to passing his half guard.
Hightower wants to stand up but Riley is controlling the position.
Hightower wants to free his trapped foot but Riley is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hightower takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hightower seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Riley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Riley wants to control but Hightower is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hightower seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Riley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hightower keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Harry Hightower.

Hightower rushes Riley and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Hightower pulls guard effortlessly.
Riley is fighting to break Hightower's control of his arms but Hightower is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Riley throws a strike but Hightower rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Riley keeping full guard, as Hightower tries to pass.
Hightower is fighting to break Riley's control of his arms but Riley is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hightower wants to control from the top but Riley keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riley wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley trying to keep a closed guard but Hightower is proving a slippery customer.
Riley has his hands on Hightower's head, controlling the position.

Robt Riley has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Hightower throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Riley was covering up waiting for the punch and Hightower finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Riley is adopting a defensive guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riley keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hightower doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hightower manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hightower postures up.
Riley keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.

Riley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hightower defends well.
Hightower pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riley is keeping the position for now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower wants to control from the top but Riley keeps moving.
Hightower postures up in Riley's guard and throws a big left but Riley blocks it.
Riley trying to control the position.
Hightower wants to stand but Riley is controlling his posture from full guard.

Riley had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hightower defends it easily.
Riley is breathing heavily.
Riley looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hightower missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Hightower dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hightower drives through with a takedown into Riley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hightower trying to control the position from guard on top but Riley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Riley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hightower stands up from Riley's guard - Hightower perhaps looking for a knockout.

Hightower scores with a takedown into Riley's guard.
Riley keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.
Hightower looking to sit in guard and control but Riley gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hightower controlling Riley's posture.
Hightower is trying to keep Riley in close.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Riley chips away with some ground and pound.
Hightower is looking to stand up but Riley isn't so interested in that idea.
Riley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Riley throwing strikes but missing.
Riley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley throws a big elbow that misses.
Riley trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hightower's guard.
Hightower trying to control the position.
Hightower throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hightower wants to stand and escape but Riley is having none of it.
Riley postures up.
Hightower is breathing heavily.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Harry Hightower.
Riley shoots in for a takedown but Hightower shows good takedown defense.

Hightower throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Riley tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hightower is in Riley's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Riley working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hightower has passed into half guard!
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Harry Hightower has got the better of the ground game so far.
Riley is trying to control but can't.
Hightower lands with a punch from half guard.

Hightower is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hightower seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Riley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Riley is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hightower pulls his head out easily.
Hightower trying to control the action but Riley is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hightower is working for a submission of some sort.
Riley is trying to get back to full guard.
Hightower missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Riley gets full guard.

Riley is looking for a triangle but Hightower pushes his legs off easily.

Riley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Hightower showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hightower wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Hightower throws a series of punches but Riley moves out of range.
A punch combination from Hightower misses.
Hightower is looking to clinch but Riley is avoiding it.
Riley will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hightower shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Riley blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hightower.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Riley looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hightower is working away from the top position though.
Hightower really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Riley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower wants to control but Riley is keeping him busy.
Hightower wants to free his trapped foot but Riley is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hightower is trying to control. Riley wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Harry Hightower wasn't active enough on the ground.

Riley tries to keep at a distance but Hightower has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hightower breaks from the clinch.

Hightower drives through with a takedown into Riley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley trying to control the position here.
Riley is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hightower loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Riley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hightower gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hightower pushing down on Riley's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hightower wants to pass to mount but Riley is defending the position.
Hightower sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Riley defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hightower tries to stand and escape but Riley is controlling the position.
Riley is looking to control Hightower's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Riley avoid being mounted?
Riley tries to get to full guard but Hightower has control of the leg.

Hightower is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Riley is staying active underneath Hightower, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Riley controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Hightower is taking a breather. Riley says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Riley looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Hightower is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hightower wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Harry Hightower has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hightower dives in and scores a takedown into Riley's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Hightower comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hightower 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Hightower!