PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lee Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higgins is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: ACDC - TNT . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kim
vs
Higgins

181 cm
21
161 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

169 cm
28
165 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Lee Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Alex Higgins!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kim throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higgins.
Higgins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kim manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kim appears to be looking for a big counter.
Higgins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kim throws a quick counter kick to the body but Higgins avoids it.
Higgins throws a sloppy head kick and Kim moves out of range easily.
Higgins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kim.
Higgins just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKim.
Kim motions for Higgins to come forward. Kim throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Higgins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Higgins.
Alex Higgins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Higgins defends it nicely.
Kim misses with a body shot.
Higgins feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim blocks a head kick by Higgins.
Kim misses with a series of wild punches.
Higgins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kim.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kim, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim has a takedown stuffed.
Kim connects with a solid leg kick.
Kim throws a series of punches but Higgins avoids them all with ease.
Kim works over Higgins's head and body with a nice combination.
Higgins looks for the body kick but Kim saw that one coming.
Kim rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Higgins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Higgins pushes Kim up against the cage in a clinch.
Kim tries to stall but Higgins uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
Kim is looking to break free of the clinch but Higgins has double underhooks.
Higgins lands a shoulder strike.

Kim manages to break the clinch.
Higgins throws a sloppy head kick and Kim moves out of range easily.
Kim tried to score with a low kick but Higgins checks it.

Higgins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Higgins manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet but Kim is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Higgins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kim. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kim is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kim stops Higgins from standing up.
Kim trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higgins on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kim. Kim obviously looking to wear him down.
Higgins swings for the body but Kim moves out of range.
Kim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kim takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Higgins wants to clinch
letting Kim counter with a right hand.
Kim circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kim keeps the fight on the outside.
A swing and a miss from Higgins.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kim connects with a body shot that sends Higgins's belly button to the back.
Higgins avoids the body shot from Kim.

Higgins closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Higgins as Kim tries to tie him up.
Higgins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kim breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Higgins avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nice jab there from Kim.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A bone on bone clash there as Kim blocks the leg kick.
Kim half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higgins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kim.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kim.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higgins is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kim has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kim wants to control but Higgins is keeping him busy.
Kim lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Higgins down.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet.
Higgins stops Kim from passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Kim dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Higgins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kim misses with a low kick as Higgins jumps back.

Higgins has Kim up against the cage in a clinch.
Higgins is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Higgins has Kim pressed against the cage, preventing Kim from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kim has Higgins pressed against the cage, preventing Higgins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Higgins jumps guard but Kim stands there with Higgins around his waist. Higgins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kim dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Higgins pulls guard successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kim accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Higgins keeping moving, preventing Kim from controlling successfully.
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.
Kim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higgins is keeping the position for now.
Higgins wants to stand and escape but Kim is having none of it.
Higgins keeping moving, preventing Kim from controlling successfully.
Kim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Higgins swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kim takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kim throws an overhand right that lands on Higgins's shoulder, as Higgins tries to avoid the shot.

Higgins moves into range and clinches up with Kim.

Kim breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Higgins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.
Higgins working hard to break the clinch.
Higgins has Kim pressed against the cage, preventing Kim from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kim is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Higgins.

Higgins breaks from the clinch.
Alex Higgins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kim keeps the fight on the outside.
Higgins wants to clinch up but Kim keeps it at a distance.
Kim clobbers Higgins with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kim scores with a one two! Higgins had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Higgins closes the distance and pushes Kim back into the cage.
Higgins keeps control of Kim as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kim avoiding damage as Higgins throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Higgins after a bit of a struggle.

Kim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Higgins rushes Kim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kim stalling in the clinch but Higgins improves position.
Higgins missing with knees to the body.

Kim manages to break the clinch.
Kim moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Higgins misses with a head kick.
Kim misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Kim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kim lands a body shot.
Kim throws a head kick but Higgins moves out of range.
Higgins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kim fires out a quick counter leg kick but Higgins just manages to avoid it.
Kim throws a hook to the side of Higgins's head but Higgins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kim throws a jab but it's blocked by Higgins.
Higgins looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higgins tries to clinch there but Kim circles away.
Kim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Higgins changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kim lands a jab to the head.
Lee Kim is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Higgins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kim manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Higgins tries to clinch there but Kim circles away.
Crunch! Higgins slams his shin into Kim's torso.
Higgins throws a head kick but Kim moves out of range.
Kim swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Higgins wants to stall.

Higgins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kim throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lee Kim will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Higgins throws a nice looking combination but Kim bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Higgins defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kim.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higgins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kim throws a big counter combination but Higgins scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Higgins lands a high kick!
Higgins throws a sloppy head kick and Kim moves out of range easily.
Kim misses with a wild combination.
Kim fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Higgins tries to clinch but Kim moves away
and Kim counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Higgins is looking to clinch but Kim is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Higgins tries to clinch but Kim is having none of it.
Kim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Higgins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lee Kim is winning the standup battle so far.
Kim waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Higgins.
Higgins ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Higgins tries to clinch but Kim moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Higgins.
Kim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Higgins clinches up with Kim and pushes him back against the cage.

Higgins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kim ducks under a wild hook from Higgins.

Higgins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kim, pushing him back against the cage.
Kim takes a knee to the side of the body.
Higgins lands with a left to the head.
Higgins fails to pull guard.

Higgins breaks the clinch.
Higgins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higgins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kim manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Kim. Those never looked like landing.
Kim takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kim displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kim is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Higgins has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kim finds it's way round the side to connect with Higgins's head.
Higgins wants to clinch.
Kim went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higgins moves away.
Higgins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Higgins wants to clinch.
Kim throws an overhand right that lands on Higgins's shoulder, as Higgins tries to avoid the shot.

Higgins instigates a clinch.
Higgins is trying to stall.
Kim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Higgins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Kim. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a knee strike.
Higgins misses with a knee to the head.
Lee Kim is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Higgins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kim gets underhooks to prevent Higgins's takedown attempt.
Kim is trying to break the clinch but Higgins has him pressed against the cage.

Higgins manages to pull guard.
Kim not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kim won't allow Higgins to get back to his feet.
Kim passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kim will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kim moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is trying to buck Kim off.
Kim staying calm.
Alex Higgins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kim has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet.
Higgins is trying to escape the position but Kim is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alex Higgins.
I think Kim has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Kim!
In defeat, Alex Higgins stepped up to the mic, saying 'great fight , he was the better fighter , i'll get back into gym and work on more of my weaknesses'.