PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ellsworth Higgenbottom (ranked 5364 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fathy Ahmad (ranked 24706 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Higgenbottom
vs
Ahmad

167 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

152 cm
18
130 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ellsworth Higgenbottom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Fathy Ahmad!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgenbottom circles away from the clinch attempt.
As Ahmad tries to get set, Higgenbottom tries to push him back and clinch up but Ahmad manages to avoid the attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ahmad looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ahmad is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ahmad jabs Higgenbottom to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ahmad looks to land a combination. Higgenbottom sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ahmad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Higgenbottom drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ahmad sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahmad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Higgenbottom circles away quickly and effectively.
Higgenbottom walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ahmad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmad throws an off balance right hand
and Higgenbottom counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Higgenbottom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahmad.
Higgenbottom throws a solid leg kick but Ahmad takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Higgenbottom.
Ahmad tries to clinch but Higgenbottom is having none of it.
Ahmad fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higgenbottom seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ahmad tries to close the distance and clinch up but Higgenbottom swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgenbottom swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ahmad lands a jab to the head.

Higgenbottom drives through and clinches with Ahmad against the cage.
Ahmad wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Ahmad both land. Nice combination.
A jab from Higgenbottom misses.
A combination from Ahmad does no damage.
Ahmad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Higgenbottom seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ahmad fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Ahmad has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ahmad scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Higgenbottom misses with a body kick.
Ahmad lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Higgenbottom thows a leg kick but Ahmad checks it
and Ahmad counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Ahmad does no damage.
Higgenbottom throws a leg kick that misses.
Ahmad unleashes a big counter combination but Higgenbottom bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ahmad blocks a low kick nicely.
Ahmad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Higgenbottom circles away quickly and effectively.
Higgenbottom throws a quick counter head kick but Ahmad was just out of range.
Fathy Ahmad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ahmad listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Higgenbottom misses with a wild body shot.
Ahmad misses with a wild combination.
Higgenbottom is looking to counter the offense by Ahmad and move into the clinch.
Higgenbottom has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahmad misses the shot to the body.
Higgenbottom attempts a counter takedown but Ahmad avoids it well and moves away.
Ahmad doesn't manage to clinch there - Higgenbottom circles away.
Higgenbottom throws a body shot but no joy.
Ahmad fails to land with a series of punches.
A counter left hand to the body from Higgenbottom misses its target.
Higgenbottom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Higgenbottom is looking to wear down Ahmad with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ahmad tries to clinch but Higgenbottom moves out of range.
Ahmad moves out of range of the leg kick from Higgenbottom.
Higgenbottom tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ahmad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Higgenbottom somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fathy Ahmad dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ahmad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ahmad throws a lazy right hand but Higgenbottom sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Higgenbottom keeps the fight on the outside.
Ahmad throws an overhand right that lands on Higgenbottom's shoulder, as Higgenbottom tries to avoid the shot.
Ahmad should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ahmad will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Higgenbottom is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Higgenbottom closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Higgenbottom tries for a takedown but Ahmad manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahmad tries to circle away but Higgenbottom has him pinned against the cage.

Higgenbottom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgenbottom slips a jab and a cross from Ahmad.
Ellsworth Higgenbottom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Ahmad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ahmad takes a swing at Higgenbottom's ribcage but misses.
Higgenbottom throws a big counter combination but Ahmad scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ahmad takes a swing at Higgenbottom's ribcage but misses.
Higgenbottom is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ahmad.
Ahmad drops his hands momentarily and Higgenbottom takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ahmad throws a nice looking combination but Higgenbottom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Higgenbottom gets a clinch.

Higgenbottom breaks from the clinch.
Fathy Ahmad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Higgenbottom rushes Ahmad and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Higgenbottom breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ahmad misses with the combination.
No joy there for Ahmad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahmad throws a hook to the side of Higgenbottom's head but Higgenbottom sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Ahmad tries to keep at a distance but Higgenbottom has taken the fight into the clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahmad misses the jab.
A little feinted left hand from Higgenbottom on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Some bone on bone action there as Ahmad checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
No joy there for Ahmad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Higgenbottom is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ahmad moves in looking to clinch but Higgenbottom pushes him off.
It looked like Higgenbottom was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ahmad.
Ahmad lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ahmad misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ahmad is breathing heavily.
Ahmad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Higgenbottom gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ahmad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgenbottom throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Higgenbottom throws a leg kick
enabling Ahmad to counter with a crisp jab.
A left and a right from Ahmad both land. Nice combination.
Higgenbottom shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ahmad as he avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Ahmad releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Higgenbottom shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ahmad sprawls well. Ahmad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Higgenbottom gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ellsworth Higgenbottom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahmad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Higgenbottom lands a right hook to the body.
No luck for Higgenbottom with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fathy Ahmad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A combination from Ahmad does no damage.
A combination from Ahmad does no damage.
A counter left hand to the body from Higgenbottom misses its target.
Higgenbottom gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ahmad.
Ahmad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ahmad wants it to stay on the feet.
Ahmad misses with the combination.
As Ahmad looks to move away, Higgenbottom throws a big counter combo but Ahmad just gets out of the way.
Ahmad misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgenbottom throws a front kick aimed at Ahmad's knee but Ahmad avoids it well.
Ahmad fails to land with a series of punches.
Higgenbottom throws a low kick but Ahmad moves out of range easily.
Ahmad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgenbottom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Higgenbottom lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ahmad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ahmad tries to clinch there but Higgenbottom circles away.
Higgenbottom fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ahmad just manages to avoid it.
Ahmad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Higgenbottom forces Ahmad back against the cage and clinches.
Higgenbottom keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ahmad's efforts to push away.
Higgenbottom keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ahmad's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Higgenbottom has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ahmad uses from the top position.
Higgenbottom is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Higgenbottom is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ahmad is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Higgenbottom scores with a couple of nice shots.
Higgenbottom will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Higgenbottom seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Higgenbottom seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ahmad for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgenbottom scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Higgenbottom seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Higgenbottom winds up and cracks Ahmad with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ahmad looks like he's trying to stand up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Higgenbottom in particular looking to stall.
Higgenbottom is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Higgenbottom connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Higgenbottom lands a couple of good shots and Ahmad has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Higgenbottom controls the action.

Higgenbottom has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Ahmad! Can he survive? No! He's out! Higgenbottom gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ellsworth Higgenbottom!