PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reed Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lee
vs
Hightower

162 cm
38
162 lbs
26 - 12 - 2

179 cm
27
171 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fatty's

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 26 - 12 - 2, fighting out of New York, Lewis Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reed Hightower!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Patrick Alders and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hightower scores with a hook.
Lee has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hightower finds it's way round the side to connect with Lee's head.

Lee pushes Hightower up against the cage in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Lee.
A knee to the head by Hightower.

It looks like Lewis Lee has been cut.
Hightower blocking some punches.
The referee calls for Lee to work.
Hightower avoiding damage.
Hightower tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hightower throws a punch but it's blocked by Lee.
Hightower landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Lee fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Hightower scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lee lands a left hand.
Hightower connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lee's face.
Lee struggles to land a body shot inside as Hightower controls his hands.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hightower.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
A short right from Hightower on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hightower.
Hightower blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hightower presses Lee against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hightower is looking to control Lee's arms but Lee gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hightower has his back to the cage.
Lee can't find room to land a body shot as Hightower controls the action.
Lee wants to stall.
Hightower looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hightower tries to work over Lee's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lee misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hightower.
Hightower misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hightower softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hightower unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lee lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hightower scores with a shot to the side of Lee's head.
Hightower lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lee backwards.
Hightower lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lee misses with a punch on the inside.
Hightower blocking some punches.
Hightower with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Hightower's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lee darts in trying to clinch
and Hightower counters with a leg kick.
Hightower shoots in for a takedown but Lee shows good takedown defense.
Hightower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Hightower connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lee momentarily.
Lee swings for the body but Hightower moves out of range.

Hightower closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hightower is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hightower wants to take a breather but Lee is having none of it.
Hightower scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lee is staying active underneath Hightower, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hightower looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lee with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lee tries to get to full guard but Hightower has control of the leg.
Lee makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lee.
Hightower wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Hightower content to stall in guard here.
Hightower connects with a couple of short punches.
Hightower trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lee being controlled here, momentarily.
Hightower landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower stopping the sweep attempt from Lee.
Hightower trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hightower has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hightower looking to sit in guard and control but Lee gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hightower is looking for a triangle here but Lee uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hightower tries to bench press Lee off him but Lee keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reed Hightower dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lewis Lee's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lee walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hightower.
Hightower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Hightower getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lee lands a jab to Hightower's midsection.
Hightower shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lee as he avoids it easily.
Lee is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hightower.
Lee fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hightower fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lee sprawls well initially but Hightower persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Lee has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hightower is on him like a limpet, forcing Lee back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lee misses with a punch to the body.
Lee creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lee throws a head punch that misses.
Lee tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hightower's elbow.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lee lands a shot to the body.
Hightower is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lee is defending well.
Hightower has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hightower is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lee misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lee prevents a body shot from Hightower.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lee missing with knees to the body.
Lee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lee prevents a body shot from Hightower.
Hightower tries to score a body lock takedown but Lee shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lewis Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reed Hightower.
Hightower misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lee.
Stalling in the clinch from Lee.
Lee lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hightower swings wildly with an uppercut but Lee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hightower is trying to maintain a safe position but Lee gets an underhook and turns Hightower into the cage.
A short left from Lee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hightower lands a body punch.
A short right from Lee.
Hightower tries to throw a body punch but Lee avoids it by throwing Hightower back against the cage.
Hightower's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lee misses with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Lee.
A short right from Lee on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lee can't find room to land a body shot as Hightower controls the action.

Hightower manages to break the clinch.
Lee takes one on the button.
Hightower shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lee counters with a stiff right hand.
Hightower pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lee was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hightower slips under a jab from Lee.
Hightower just misses with a punch to the body.
Hightower throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Lee counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee misses with a right hand
and Hightower cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hightower misses with a hook.
A quick step to the side and Lee tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Hightower. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hightower.
Reed Hightower seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lee pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hightower is out of range and Lee settles back down.
Lee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hightower was well out of range. Poor timing from Lee.
Hightower moves away from the strike by Lee.
A punch combination from Lee misses.
Lee is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hightower.
Lee checks the leg kick.
Lee appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lee wants to clinch
and Hightower counters with a stiff right hand.
Lee throws a jab but it's blocked by Hightower.
Lee misses the shot to the body.
Hightower tries to land a leg kick but Lee saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hightower instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lee misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lee can't find room to land a body shot as Hightower controls the action.
Hightower stalling against the cage.
Lee lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Lee lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hightower with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A shot in the inside from Hightower.
Lee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
Lee fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lee takes a knee right on the jaw!
Reed Hightower seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hightower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lee's elbow.
Hightower digs a right hand underneath Lee's ribcage. Lee let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hightower looking to slow down the pace here.
Lee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
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 Lewis Lee will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lewis Lee's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hightower lands a jab to the nose.
Lee thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lee feints a jab promting Hightower to slip. Lee then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hightower slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hightower lands a nice shot that snaps Lee's head back.
Hightower jabs at Lee's body.
Lee tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hightower dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hightower connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lee takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Hightower shoots in and bounces Lee off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Reed Hightower has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lee is trying to keep Hightower in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower postures up in Lee's guard and throws a big left but Lee blocks it.
Lee has control of Hightower's left arm, preventing Hightower from doing any damage.
Hightower throws a big elbow that misses.
Lee preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lee controls Hightower momentarily but Hightower frees himself.
Hightower lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hightower working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lee has momentary wrist control but Hightower slips an elbow through the middle.
Hightower engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hightower throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lee works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hightower connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lee working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hightower.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.
Hightower works over Lee with some ground and pound from guard.
Hightower slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hightower working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hightower trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Lee pulls Hightower in close to prevent any damage.
Hightower wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hightower with a nice cross.
Hightower misses with a body shot
and Lee counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Hightower fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lee, pushing him back against the cage.
Lee blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee tries to work over Hightower's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hightower misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hightower is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lee is defending well for now.
Hightower drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lee gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lee stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Lee.
Hightower is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lee is defending well for now.
Lee lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lee lands with a light punch inside.
Hightower goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lee fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lee trying to control the position but instead, Hightower has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lee into the cage.
Hightower is trying to stall.
Hightower lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reed 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reed Hightower!
Reed Hightower decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Lewis Lee spoke after the fight, saying 'I'm not even sure what I was trying to do tonight! Nothing felt natural at all!'.