PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Throng Po (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Throng Po was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Higgins
vs
Po

215 cm
18
161 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Throng Po!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Po throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Higgins was covering up waiting for the punch and Po finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet but Po passes into half guard.

Higgins looks like he's trying to stand up.
Po is pressing down on Higgins's thigh, looking to free his foot. Higgins is holding on for now.
Higgins is looking to control Po's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Higgins avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Po throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Po is trying to control the action in half guard but Higgins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet.
Po is looking to advance position but Higgins won't allow it.
Higgins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Po.
Po thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Higgins's head.
Po is taking a breather. Higgins 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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Po thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Higgins's head.
Po is thwarting Higgins's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Po drives through with a takedown into guard.

Higgins has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Po has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Po ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Po no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Higgins is looking to stand up but Po won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins postures up.
Higgins has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Higgins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Po's head.
Po wants to sweep but no luck.
Higgins wants to stand but Po has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Po dives on top into guard.

Higgins is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Higgins looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Po trying to move into half guard but instead Higgins has managed to sweep!

Higgins trying to stand up but can't free himself from Po's guard.
Po is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Po wants to lay and pray for a moment but Higgins keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Po works his way into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Throng Po 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.

Po closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Higgins did well to prevent Po getting side control.

Po wants to work for an arm triangle but Higgins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Higgins is trying to stand.
Higgins tries to roll over but Po keeps him under control.
Po wants to take a breather but Higgins is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Po is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Higgins has managed to free his arm - good work.
Po is pressing down on Higgins's thigh, looking to free his foot. Higgins is holding on for now.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Po scores with a couple of nice shots.
Higgins tries to kick Po off but Po keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Higgins moves into full guard.
Higgins is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Po stays in close to Higgins's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Higgins misses with a head kick.
Higgins blocks a head kick by Po.
Po throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Po chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Po uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Higgins.

Po throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Higgins was covering up waiting for the punch and Po finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Po is breathing heavily.

Po gets to his feet - Higgins follows without any prompting.
Higgins tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Po throws a nice inside leg kick.

Po closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Po not doing much here.
Higgins is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Po stops Higgins from getting back to his feet.
Po content to control rather than advance.
Higgins is trying to stand up here but Po is controlling him well.

Po decides to return to a standing position.
Throng Po seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higgins drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick by Higgins misses

and Po counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Higgins is rocked!
Po has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Po lands a couple of digs.
Oh Higgins is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Higgins wants to stand and escape but Po is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Po postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Higgins is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Po, into his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Throng Po showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Po closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Po turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Higgins sneaks out the side door and pushes Po away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Po drives through and clinches with Higgins against the cage.
Higgins seems to have got his legs back now.

Po successfully pulls guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Po throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Po takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Po kicks Higgins off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Higgins.
Jack Higgins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Po shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Higgins pushes Po off looking to stand but Po dives back in and keeps control.
Po stalling.

Po is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Po sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Po is trying to control the action in half guard but Higgins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Po stands up and beckons Higgins to join him on the feet.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
Po lands with a straight right. Higgins didn't see that one coming.
Po fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Po feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Higgins's calf.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
Higgins throws a sloppy head kick and Po moves out of range easily.
Higgins connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Po.
Higgins struggling a bit here.
An elbow from Po crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Po decides to stand back up. Po steps back and let's Higgins get back to his feet.
Higgins pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Po scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Po stands up out of the half guard.

Po shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Po showed some decent athleticism there.
Higgins is trying to stand back up but Po is controlling him
Jack Higgins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Throng Po is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Po decides to stand and escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Throng Po.
Well Po 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Throng Po!
After the fight, Throng Po was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.