PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morton Marshall Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Higgins
vs
Marshall Matthews

225 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Morton Marshall Matthews!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up but Higgins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgins scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Higgins pushes him off.
Higgins throws a nice looking combination but Marshall Matthews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Higgins works over Marshall Matthews's head and body with a nice combination.
Higgins swats away the attempt to clinch by Marshall Matthews.
Higgins throws a series of punches but Marshall Matthews moves out of range.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Higgins is having none of it.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Higgins is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall Matthews looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Higgins is fending him off so far but Marshall Matthews persists. Nope, Higgins circles away and we're back to standing.
Higgins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Marshall Matthews fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higgins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marshall Matthews has managed to clinch.
Higgins takes an elbow to the temple.
Marshall Matthews unloads a knee to the mid-section. Higgins lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Marshall Matthews misses with a knee strike.
Marshall Matthews lands a knee to the body.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Higgins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
No joy there for Higgins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Higgins pushes him off.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Higgins is avoiding it.
No joy there for Higgins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins cracks Marshall Matthews with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins keeps the fight on the outside.
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Higgins pushes him off.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up.
Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Higgins as he jumps to the side.
Marshall Matthews dodges the punch combination from Higgins.
Higgins fails to land with a series of punches.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
John Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.
Marshall Matthews fails with a takedown attempt.

Marshall Matthews has closed the distance and engaged Higgins in a clinch.
Marshall Matthews has Higgins pressed against the ropes.
Marshall Matthews wants a takedown but no success here.
Marshall Matthews looking for a takedown.
Marshall Matthews unloads a knee to the mid-section. Higgins lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews lands an elbow inside.
Marshall Matthews's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Higgins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Higgins misses with the combination.
Higgins tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Higgins swats away the attempt to clinch by Marshall Matthews.
Higgins moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morton Marshall Matthews dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Higgins fails to land with a series of punches.
Marshall Matthews shoots in but no luck this time.
Marshall Matthews closes this distance looking for a takedown but Higgins circles away.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Marshall Matthews.
A jab from Higgins finds it's way through Marshall Matthews's defenses.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins misses with a wild combination.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Higgins moves out of range.
Higgins throws a shot to the body.
Morton Marshall Matthews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higgins lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Higgins is avoiding it.
John Higgins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marshall Matthews avoids a punch combination nicely.
Higgins is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Marshall Matthews ducks right into an uppercut from Higgins.
Marshall Matthews staying out of range there.
Higgins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Higgins doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Higgins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Marshall Matthews is looking to clinch but Higgins is avoiding it.

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.
Marshall Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Higgins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
John Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.

Marshall Matthews clinches with his opponent.
Higgins avoiding damage as Marshall Matthews throws knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Higgins prevents the takedown attempt.

Marshall Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higgins works over Marshall Matthews's head and body with a nice combination.
Marshall Matthews shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Higgins as he avoids it easily.
Marshall Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Higgins moves out of range.
No joy there for Higgins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marshall Matthews showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Higgins.
Marshall Matthews avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Higgins.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Marshall Matthews wants to clinch up but Higgins keeps it at a distance.
Higgins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Higgins throws a nice looking combination but Marshall Matthews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four 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.
Marshall Matthews has a takedown stuffed.
Marshall Matthews is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Higgins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Higgins lands a jab.
Marshall Matthews tries for a takedown but Higgins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
John Higgins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higgins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Higgins tries to bum rush Marshall Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Marshall Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
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 John Higgins will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marshall Matthews.
Higgins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Higgins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Higgins connects with the punch.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Higgins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marshall Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Higgins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Marshall Matthews moves in looking to clinch but Higgins pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marshall Matthews clinches up with Higgins and pushes him back against the ropes.
Marshall Matthews stalling in the clinch.
Marshall Matthews tries to pull guard but Higgins won't allow it.
John Higgins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morton Marshall Matthews.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall Matthews using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Higgins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The referee calls for Marshall Matthews to work.
Marshall Matthews fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Higgins is pressed up against the ropes. Marshall Matthews has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Higgins down to the mat. Higgins avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Higgins lands with a straight right. Marshall Matthews didn't see that one coming.
Higgins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A bone on bone clash there as Marshall Matthews blocks the leg kick.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch but Higgins moves out of range.
Higgins tries to bum rush Marshall Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Marshall Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Higgins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Higgins throws a right and a left that Marshall Matthews avoids nicely.

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.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
Marshall Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Higgins circles away.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch there but Higgins circles away.
Marshall Matthews tries to close the distance and clinch but Higgins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Marshall Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Marshall Matthews is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Higgins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Higgins is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Marshall Matthews tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Marshall Matthews breaks the clinch.
Higgins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch up but Higgins circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins swinging wilding here.
Higgins throws a right and a left that Marshall Matthews avoids nicely.
Higgins misses with a double jab.
Nice takedown defense from Higgins. No joy for Marshall Matthews on that attempt.
Marshall Matthews tries to clinch there but Higgins circles away.

Marshall Matthews moves into the clinch successfully.
Marshall Matthews leaning his opponent against the ropes.

That's four 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.
Higgins wants to break free but Marshall Matthews has control.
Higgins is trying to break free.
Higgins gets underhooks to prevent Marshall Matthews's takedown attempt.
Higgins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Marshall Matthews lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Marshall Matthews using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Marshall Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Marshall Matthews keeps control of Higgins as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Higgins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higgins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Marshall Matthews stalling the fight.
Marshall Matthews fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Morton Marshall Matthews.
I think Marshall Matthews 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 James Glass scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Morton Marshall Matthews!

Morton Marshall Matthews wins by unanimous decision!