CW MMA: Redemption PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tee Higgins (ranked 3281 p4p, 3709 weight class) and Hans Schultz (ranked 347 p4p, 385 weight class). Schultz comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Love Bites kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Tee Higgins has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Higgins
vs
Schultz

186 cm
19
226
6 - 1 - 0

219 cm
19
287
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tee Higgins !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hans Schultz!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schultz clinches up against the cage.
Schultz tries to work over Higgins 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Knees in the clinch landing for Higgins .
Higgins tries to score a body lock takedown but Schultz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Higgins gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Higgins connects with a couple of short punches.
Higgins wants to control from the top but Schultz keeps moving.
Higgins with a nice head shot there.
Higgins is in close to Schultz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higgins won't allow Schultz to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Schultz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Higgins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Higgins won't allow Schultz to get back to his feet.
Schultz has momentary wrist control but Higgins slips an elbow through the middle.
Higgins might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Higgins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Schultz's head.
Higgins scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higgins chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Higgins 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Higgins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Higgins makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Higgins stops Schultz from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins chips away with some ground and pound.
Schultz is looking to stand up but Higgins isn't so interested in that idea.
Higgins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Schultz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Higgins is controlling him.
Higgins definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Schultz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Higgins 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Higgins scoring with some ground and pound.
Higgins trying to control the position from guard on top but Schultz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Higgins is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Schultz is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Higgins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higgins lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Higgins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Higgins wants to control from the top but Schultz keeps moving.
Higgins lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Higgins won't allow Schultz to get back to his feet.
Higgins landing some decent shots from guard.
Higgins landing some decent shots from guard.
Higgins works over Schultz with some ground and pound from guard.
Higgins trying to control the position from guard on top but Schultz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Higgins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Higgins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Schultz's head.
Higgins stops Schultz from standing up.
Schultz keeping moving, preventing Higgins from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Higgins chips away with some ground and pound.
Higgins is working Schultz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Schultz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higgins landing with the ground and pound.
Higgins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higgins stands up over Schultz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Schultz wants to get back to his feet but Higgins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Higgins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higgins scoring with some ground and pound.
Higgins won't allow Schultz to get back to his feet.
Higgins lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Higgins postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higgins working some strikes from top position.
Higgins content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Schultz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgins chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Higgins 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Higgins works over Schultz with some ground and pound from guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higgins lands a couple of digs.
Higgins is in close to Schultz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Schultz wants to get back to his feet but Higgins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Schultz looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Higgins working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Schultz's head.
Higgins content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Schultz is looking to stand up but Higgins isn't so interested in that idea.
Higgins cracks Schultz with a solid left hand.
Higgins landing with the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tee Higgins dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Schultz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Schultz misses with a body shot.
Higgins tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Schultz manages to circle out of the way.

Higgins has Schultz up against the cage in a clinch.
Higgins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Schultz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Higgins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Schultz prevents it.
Schultz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Higgins backwards.
Schultz is pressed up against the cage. Higgins has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Schultz down to the mat. Schultz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Schultz moves into the clinch successfully.
Schultz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Schultz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Higgins 's elbow.
Higgins is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tee Higgins . That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins tries for a takedown. No joy.
Schultz cracks Higgins with a nice body shot.
Schultz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Schultz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Higgins backwards.
Higgins is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schultz can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schultz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Higgins backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schultz misses with a body punch.
Schultz misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Schultz.
Higgins tries for a takedown but Schultz manages to get underhooks.
Higgins 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Schultz is leaning against Higgins and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Schultz lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Higgins is rocked!
Schultz presses Higgins against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Schultz.
Schultz stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Schultz creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Higgins 's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Higgins drops to his knees and Schultz pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hans Schultz!
After winning the bout, Hans Schultz thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Tee Higgins stepped up to the mic, saying 'Lets run it back.'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
51%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Nolan (ranked 24478 p4p, 6794 weight class) and Mark Antony (ranked 703 p4p, 637 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nolan
vs
Antony

183 cm
19
201
0 - 2 - 0

194 cm
18
210
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Nolan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Antony!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Antony blocks a head kick by Nolan.
An inside leg kick lands from Antony.
Nolan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Antony tried to score with a low kick but Nolan checks it.
Nolan throws a head kick but Antony moves out of range.
Nolan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nolan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Antony in his tracks.
Antony works Nolan's body with a nice hook.
Mark Antony seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nolan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nolan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nolan blocks a head kick by Antony.
Antony walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nolan.
Antony connects with a single shot there.
Antony tries to work over Nolan's front leg with a kick but Nolan checks it.
Nolan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Antony can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nolan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Mark Antony has been cut.
Antony lands with a right hand.
Antony's coach down at Takeda Clan Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Antony's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Antony moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nolan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Antony was well out of range. Poor timing from Nolan.
Nolan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Antony tries a quick counter leg kick but Nolan is wise to it.
Nolan misses with an uppercut
and Antony counters with a nice leg kick.
Nolan tries to land a body kick
and Antony counters with a slapping leg kick.
Antony lands the left hand.
Nolan gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Antony counters with an outside leg kick.
Antony chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nolan lands with a nice body kick.
Good work by Nolan as he checks the leg kick.
Antony lands with a slapping head kick.
Nolan is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Antony throws a quick inside leg kick.
Antony cracks Nolan with a right hand to the side of the head.

Nolan is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Antony drops Nolan with a big left hand! Nolan is injured, injured bad! Antony jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mark Antony!
Mark Antony bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
72%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tyrone Mack (ranked 728 p4p, 2395 weight class) and Leevi Saros (ranked 99 p4p, 312 weight class). Saros is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Marko Hietala - Stones. Tyrone Mack has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Mack
vs
Saros

189 cm
27
190
10 - 3 - 0

183 cm
19
184
2 - 0 - 1

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
PWNAGE

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tyrone Mack!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leevi Saros!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saros misses with a body punch

and Mack counters with a nice double leg into side control. Saros won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mack working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Saros is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mack off and has taken his back!
Mack rolls, trying to escape but Saros keeps control of the position.
My spies in The Scrap Squad inform me that Saros has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Mack wants to control his opponent's hands but Saros gets his hands free.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Saros controlling the positon.
Mack trying to control the hands but Saros won't let him.
Saros has the hooks in. Mack is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack trying to survive by controlling the hands.
Saros just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Saros wants to control but Mack is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mack tries to break free.
Mack tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Mack is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mack tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saros trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mack slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Mack looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mack trying to control but Saros postures up.
Mack gets full guard.

Mack working for a triangle but Saros defends it easily.
Mack seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Mack is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saros defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mack working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saros doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saros manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Mack looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Saros is defending well. Mack quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Saros has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Mack celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tyrone Mack!
Tyrone Mack is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Tyrone Mack thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Leevi Saros spoke after the fight, saying 'A man can't outlast whatever he's made. Tonight my opponent extended this inevitability beyond the realms of mine. Congratulations. Rise or fall, we get up and keep grinding. And grinding, the constant movement, never ends. I will return.'.