SPI: Helsinki - 10 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cordero Rodolfo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Rodolfo
vs
Mendez

184 cm
21
197 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cordero Rodolfo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raul Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodolfo tries for a takedown but Mendez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.

Rodolfo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mendez quickly recovers to half guard.

Mendez actively working from the bottom here.
Rodolfo trying to pass the guard but Mendez defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez trying to hold on to Rodolfo's head to control him but Rodolfo postures up.

Mendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez is not content to let Rodolfo control the position.
Mendez won't allow Rodolfo to pass to mount.
Mendez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rodolfo.
Rodolfo is trying to control. Mendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rodolfo thows a huge punch but Mendez dodges it nicely.
Rodolfo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rodolfo is looking to advance position but Mendez won't allow it.
Mendez felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rodolfo lands strikes from half guard.

Mendez has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Rodolfo. Oh but Mendez has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Rodolfo goes limp - he's gone! Mendez jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Raul Mendez!
A pretty intense looking Raul Mendez took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
37%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ritchie McLendon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Willie Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McLendon
vs
Johnson

174 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

174 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ritchie McLendon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Willie Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson tries to clinch there but McLendon circles away.
Johnson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

McLendon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
McLendon trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
McLendon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McLendon pulls his head out easily.
McLendon wants to get back to his feet.
McLendon is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLendon is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
McLendon is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLendon moves nicely into side control.

McLendon stands up and we're back to a striking position.

McLendon fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. McLendon is now in Johnson's guard.
Johnson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
McLendon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Johnson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
McLendon in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McLendon wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McLendon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McLendon.
McLendon 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.

McLendon changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McLendon trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.
McLendon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to buck McLendon off but McLendon is having none of it.

McLendon in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Johnson is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ritchie McLendon!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
34%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Feivish Hershel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Shearer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shearer has chosen Big Sean as his entrance music. Andy Shearer has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Feivish Hershel's chin.

Hershel
vs
Shearer

173 cm
25
176 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Feivish Hershel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andy Shearer!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shearer lands a body shot.
Shearer closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hershel dodges the punch combination from Shearer.
A counter left hand to the body from Hershel misses its target.
Shearer scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Shearer misses with a leg kick.
Hershel jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Shearer throws a leg kick but Hershel moved away.
Hershel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shearer lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Hershel is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shearer lands a glancing blow to the side of Hershel's head.
Oh Hershel is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hershel loses concentration momentarily and Shearer pounces with a three punch combo! Right, left, right! Hershel crashes face first to the mat, out cold! Shearer finishes this one with a fantastically precise combo! Great stuff.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Andy Shearer!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
84%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Stiglitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Lindblom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stiglitz comes to the cage accompanied by I Gave You A Reach Around and This Is How You Repay Me?. Markus Lindblom is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Stiglitz
vs
Lindblom

183 cm
25
184 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
177 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dan Stiglitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Lindblom!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stiglitz needs to keep his hands up - Lindblom had a free shot at his head there.
Stiglitz moves forwards but Lindblom connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stiglitz tries for a takedown but Lindblom circles away easily

and Lindblom holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Lindblom pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lindblom tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stiglitz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lindblom fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lindblom slaps away a takedown attempt from Stiglitz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stiglitz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lindblom.

Lindblom gets caught flat footed, as Stiglitz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stiglitz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lindblom is keeping the position for now.
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.
Stiglitz won't allow Lindblom to get back to his feet.
Lindblom wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Stiglitz is now in half guard.
Lindblom is looking to escape.
Lindblom won't allow Stiglitz to pass to mount.

Lindblom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lindblom taking some punishment here, with Stiglitz in his half guard.

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.
Lindblom trying to control here.
Stiglitz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Stiglitz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stiglitz working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stiglitz moves into full mount! Lindblom won't be happy about that!
Stiglitz lands a big elbow.

Lindblom is rocked!
We've been informed that Lindblom has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Oooh a big shot lands for Stiglitz! Lindblom is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Dan Stiglitz!
Dan Stiglitz looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I've fucked guys bigger than you.'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
36%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Pro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyberius Furiusz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Pro
vs
Furiusz

162 cm
25
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kyle Pro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tyberius Furiusz!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pro jabs at Furiusz's body.
Pro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Pro scores with a jab to the jaw.
Furiusz tries to move into range but Pro moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Jab from Pro.

Furiusz closes the distance and clinches.
Pro lands with a right to the head.
Pro slowing the pace effectively.
Pro avoiding damage.
Furiusz lands a damaging elbow.
Furiusz misses with an elbow strike.
Furiusz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Furiusz is trying to break free.
Pro lands a nice uppercut.

Furiusz manages to break the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Pro scores with a four punch combination!

Furiusz is rocked!

Pro drives through and clinches with Furiusz against the cage.
Furiusz is still on wobbly legs! Can Pro finish him?
Furiusz misses with an elbow strike.
Furiusz seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pro dodges an elbow strike from Furiusz.
Furiusz misses with an elbow over the top.
Pro blocks the elbow strike.
A body shot lands from Pro.
Furiusz looks winded!
The referee calls for Pro to work.
Furiusz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pro - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Furiusz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Still in the clinch, Pro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Pro throws an elbow that misses.
Pro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pro lands with a right to the head.
Pro blocks an elbow strike.
Pro lands a body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pro.
Pro misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Pro throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pro lands a left hand.
Pro is leaning against Furiusz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Furiusz blocks the elbow strike.
Furiusz can't break the clinch.
Furiusz throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pro.
Pro displaying some good clinch control by pressing Furiusz up against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Pro.
Pro lands with a right to the head.
Furiusz tries to circle away but Pro has him pinned against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Pro.
Pro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pro lands with a right to the head.
Furiusz tries to break the clinch but Pro is controlling the position.
Furiusz blocks the elbow strike.
Pro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pro scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Furiusz tries to circle away but Pro has him pinned against the cage.
Pro is working Furiusz over against the cage.
Pro pushes Furiusz back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Furiusz blocks an elbow strike.
Pro dodges an elbow strike from Furiusz.
Pro dodges an elbow strike from Furiusz.
Furiusz has had enough of the clinch but Pro keeps him there for the moment.
Pro lands with a left to the head.
Pro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Furiusz has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Pro seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Furiusz can turn it around.
Pro prevents Furiusz from breaking the clinch.
Pro keeps control of Furiusz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Furiusz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pro works Furiusz's body with a nice hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Furiusz has had enough of the clinch but Pro keeps him there for the moment.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pro takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Furiusz is trying to break the clinch but Pro is controlling him.
Pro working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pro scores with a shot to the side of Furiusz's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Still in the clinch, Pro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Pro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Furiusz blocks an elbow strike from Pro.
Furiusz has had enough of the clinch but Pro keeps him there for the moment.
Still in the clinch, Pro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Furiusz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Furiusz dodges an elbow strike from Pro.
Pro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pro is struggling to control the position.
Furiusz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pro stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pro blocks the elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Pro dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pro pushes Furiusz up against the cage in a clinch.
Pro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Furiuszs head.
The referee calls for Pro to work.

Furiusz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab lands there for Pro.

Pro forces Furiusz back against the cage and clinches.
Pro holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Furiusz misses with an elbow over the top.
Furiusz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Furiusz tries to break free but Pro pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Furiusz wants to break free but Pro has control.
Furiusz is breathing heavily.
Still in the clinch, Pro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Pro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pro lands with a left to the head.
Pro misses with an elbow strike.
Pro keeps control of Furiusz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pro scores with a shot to the side of Furiusz's head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Furiusz throws an elbow but misses.
Furiusz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pro avoids a wild elbow strike from Furiusz.
Pro dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Furiusz tries to circle away but Pro has him pinned against the cage.
Pro is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Pro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pro keeps control of Furiusz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Pro here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Pro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Furiusz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pro is leaning against Furiusz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Furiusz throws an elbow but it misses.
Pro lands a right hand that snaps the head of Furiusz backwards.
Furiusz pushes off an throws an elbow but Pro leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pro lands a left hand.
Pro lands a body punch in the clinch.
Pro dips a shoulder and cracks Furiusz with a mighty uppercut! Furiusz falls back against the cage and Pro unloads with a barrage of strikes! Furiusz is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Pro screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyle Pro!
A victorious Kyle Pro thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
61%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dale La Grande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Highfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

La Grande
vs
Highfield

170 cm
25
143 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Grand Champion Apparel
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dale La Grande!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Highfield!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Grande gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Highfield scores with a hook.
La Grande moves away from the strike by Highfield.
La Grande displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Highfield throws out the jab.
La Grande definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Highfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but La Grande moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
La Grande was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Highfield getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Highfield throws a solid leg kick but La Grande takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Highfield.
La Grande is looking for a counter combo.
La Grande tries to clinch there but Highfield circles away.
La Grande gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Highfield.
Highfield scores with a three punch combo!
No joy there for Highfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

La Grande forces Highfield back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande tries to land a knee to the head but Highfield blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
La Grande comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande has him pressed against the cage.
Highfield can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from La Grande.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
La Grande crunches a lovely knee into Highfield's ribcage.
La Grande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
La Grande is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
La Grande keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Highfield's efforts to push away.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
La Grande lands a knee to the body.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
Highfield has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. La Grande seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Highfield can turn it around.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Highfield looks winded!
La Grande lands an elbow inside.

It looks like James Highfield has been cut.
Highfield blocks the elbow strike.
Highfield takes an elbow to the forehead.
Highfield is trying to push La Grande away but La Grande has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
La Grande with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
La Grande tries a knee to the head but Highfield blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
Highfield has had enough of the clinch but La Grande keeps him there for the moment.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section. Highfield lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
Highfield wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but La Grande has him pressed against the cage.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande throws an elbow that misses.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Highfield manages to break the clinch.
A left lands for Highfield.
A combination from Highfield does no damage.
La Grande appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left lands for Highfield.
La Grande uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Highfield.
La Grande tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Highfield manages to circle out of the way.
Highfield misses with a low kick.
La Grande appears to be looking for a big counter.
Highfield lands a jab to the head.
Highfield tries to bum rush La Grande with a series of wild strikes but La Grande uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A counter left hand to the body from La Grande misses its target.
Highfield just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like La Grande was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Highfield looks to land a right hand but La Grande moved out of range.
La Grande throws a quick counter kick to the body but Highfield avoids it.
Highfield misses with a wild combination.
James Highfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
La Grande takes one to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

La Grande defending well as Highfield loads up on a big left hand.
Highfield throws a body shot but no joy.
La Grande was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A jab from Highfield does it's job there.
La Grande slips a jab and a cross from Highfield.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
Highfield throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
La Grande quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Highfield throws a hook but La Grande avoids it easily.
La Grande throws a big counter combination but Highfield scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
La Grande is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Highfield can do to turn this around?
Highfield misses the shot to the body.
La Grande is looking for a counter combo.
La Grande slips under a jab from Highfield.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Highfield gets tackled into the cage by La Grande. La Grande maintains the clinch.

Highfield breaks from the clinch.
Highfield misses with a jab, cross combination.
La Grande seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Highfield throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield falls off balance throwing a combination
and La Grande counters with a left and a right that stings Highfield.
La Grande takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Highfield jabs at La Grande's body.
Highfield scores with a nice strike.
Dale La Grande is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Highfield throws a right hand that La Grande ducks under and follows up with a left that La Grande also avoids with ease.
Highfield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but La Grande was well out of range. Poor timing from Highfield.
James Highfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
La Grande takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
It looked like La Grande was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Highfield.
La Grande dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
Highfield is breathing heavily.
Highfield misses with an uppercut.
La Grande tries to counter by clinching up but Highfield breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Highfield tries to keep at a distance but La Grande has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. La Grande obliges.
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!
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
Highfield blocks the elbow strike.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
La Grande with a knee to the head.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande misses with a knee strike.
La Grande with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
La Grande landing some nice looking knees to the body.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande prevents Highfield from breaking the clinch.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a knee to the head.
Highfield wants to break free but La Grande has control.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande looking to throw knees to the head but Highfield is blocking nicely.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
Dale La Grande has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
La Grande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
La Grande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Highfield takes a knee to the side of the body.
Highfield tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
La Grande has Highfield pressed against the cage, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but La Grande has double underhooks.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Highfield's face.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Highfield misses with a shot to the body

and La Grande counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by La Grande.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
Highfield takes a knee right on the jaw!
Highfield dodges an elbow strike from La Grande.
Knees to the body from La Grande.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. La Grande obliges.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Highfield breaks the clinch.
La Grande takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
La Grande ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Highfield misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from La Grande.
La Grande is looking to counter the offense by Highfield and move into the clinch.
Highfield misses with a straight left.
Highfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
La Grande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield scores with a nice head shot.
Highfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Highfield just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLa Grande.
Highfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Highfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by La Grande.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
La Grande dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
La Grande tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Highfield manages to circle out of the way.
La Grande walks into a stiff left hand from Highfield.
Highfield takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
La Grande wants to clinch up but Highfield keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highfield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but La Grande circles away quickly and effectively.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.
La Grande seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Highfield misses with a hook. La Grande ducked under it nicely.
As Highfield looks to move away, La Grande throws a big counter combo bu Highfield just gets out of the way.
Highfield falls off balance throwing a combination
and La Grande counters with a one-two to the body.
Highfield lands a slapping body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
La Grande tries to clinch but Highfield is having none of it.
Highfield misses with a lunging right hand
and La Grande counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
La Grande keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Highfield.
La Grande checks a leg kick.
La Grande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield misses with the combination.
Highfield misses with a looping right.
La Grande moves out of range as Highfield strikes.
La Grande throws a big counter combination but Highfield scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Highfield lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Highfield.
Highfield misses with a two punch combination.
Highfield misses with a series of wild punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
La Grande lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
La Grande lands a nice elbow.
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!
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but La Grande has the dominant position.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande working Highfield over with knees to the body.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Highfield takes a knee to the side of the body.
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
La Grande lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dale La Grande clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

La Grande closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande lands an elbow inside.
La Grande throws an elbow that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for La Grande.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield takes an elbow to the temple.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but La Grande is controlling him.
Highfield is trying to break free.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
La Grande landing knees to the body.
La Grande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Highfield in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by La Grande.
Highfield takes an elbow to the forehead.
Highfield is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Grande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Highfield's defenses.
Highfield takes a knee right on the jaw!

Highfield is rocked!
La Grande lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield is still on wobbly legs! Can La Grande finish him?
La Grande lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
La Grande with a knee to the head.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Highfield tries to circle away but La Grande has him pinned against the cage.
Nice elbow from La Grande.
La Grande lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That has opened up James Highfield's cut even more.
Knees in the clinch landing for La Grande.
La Grande has Highfield pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Highfield is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from La Grande - that's hurt Highfield badly! Oh, another knee lands and Highfield is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Highfield doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Dale La Grande!
Dale La Grande retains his lightweight title!
Dale La Grande spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.