PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Fur Era (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Higginbotham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Fur Era
vs
Higginbotham

176 cm
25
152 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

174 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, William Fur Era!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Higginbotham!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fur Era drives through with a takedown into Higginbotham's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fur Era looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Higginbotham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fur Era wants to pass the guard but Higginbotham is keeping the position.
Higginbotham wants to sweep here but Fur Era controlling him for the moment.
Higginbotham controlling Fur Era's posture.
Fur Era has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fur Era looking to sit in guard and control but Higginbotham gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higginbotham wants to control from the top but Fur Era keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginbotham wants to stand but Fur Era is controlling his posture from full guard.
Higginbotham looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Higginbotham wanted to stand there but Fur Era had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Higginbotham stays in close to Fur Era's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Higginbotham shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fur Era as he avoids it easily.

Higginbotham gets the takedown into side control.

Higginbotham decides to stand back up. Higginbotham steps back and let's Fur Era get back to his feet.
Higginbotham looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Fur Era gets a double leg takedown into Higginbotham's guard.
Higginbotham wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Higginbotham's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Higginbotham is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginbotham not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fur Era on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fur Era tries to get out of the position.
Higginbotham sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fur Era's guard.
Higginbotham controlling the pace.
Fur Era knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Higginbotham on the ground.
Higginbotham passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Higginbotham is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Fur Era to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Fur Era shrugs it off.
Fur Era is squirming around, avoiding Higginbotham's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Higginbotham sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Fur Era is squirming around, avoiding Higginbotham's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Higginbotham dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Higginbotham fails with a takedown attempt.

Higginbotham has taken the fight to the clinch.

Higginbotham manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Higginbotham is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Higginbotham lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higginbotham is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Higginbotham trying to control but Fur Era is working from the bottom.
Higginbotham has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginbotham is stalling in the full guard.
Fur Era keeping moving, preventing Higginbotham from controlling successfully.
Fur Era keeping full guard, as Higginbotham tries to pass.
Higginbotham trying to control the position from guard on top but Fur Era is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Higginbotham seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Higginbotham tries to free his leg and advance position but Fur Era is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Higginbotham dives in for a single leg takedown but Fur Era sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Fur Era escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fur Era finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Higginbotham changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fur Era tries to avoid it but Higginbotham manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fur Era to the ground. Fur Era escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
William Fur Era has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Higginbotham.
Higginbotham shoots in but Fur Era avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fur Era stuffs the takedown.
Dave Higginbotham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higginbotham fails to land the takedown.
Higginbotham looks to land a left hand but Fur Era moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fur Era.
Fur Era definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
You can see the frustration on Higginbotham's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Higginbotham controls the position for a moment.
Higginbotham wants to get back to his feet.
Higginbotham can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginbotham sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Higginbotham is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fur Era pulls his head out easily.
Higginbotham is looking to control Fur Era's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Higginbotham avoid being mounted?
Higginbotham is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters are battling for position here. Higginbotham manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Fur Era dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Higginbotham gets a double leg takedown into Fur Era's guard.
Higginbotham trying to control but Fur Era is working from the bottom.
Higginbotham throwing strikes from guard but Fur Era blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Higginbotham decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Higginbotham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginbotham looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Higginbotham closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Fur Era prevents Higginbotham from moving into mount.
Fur Era trying to remain calm as Higginbotham controls from the top position.
Higginbotham wants to control but Fur Era is keeping him busy.
Higginbotham advances to full mount.
Higginbotham sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higginbotham can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fur Era is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginbotham controlling from mount.
Higginbotham wants to control the pace but Fur Era is squirming around nicely.

That's four 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.

Higginbotham working for a submission but Fur Era is keeping him at bay.
Higginbotham wants to control the pace but Fur Era is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higginbotham might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fur Era haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Higginbotham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Higginbotham has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Higginbotham!