PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andy Norris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Highlander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Norris could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Scott Highlander's chin.

Norris
vs
Highlander

180 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andy Norris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Highlander!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norris moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Highlander avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Norris closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Highlander actively working from the bottom here.
Highlander looks gassed!
Norris is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Highlander!
Highlander tries to reverse the position but Norris maintains control.
Norris controlling his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Highlander tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Norris looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Norris tries to control but Highlander wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Highlander is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highlander wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Good control from Norris.
Norris is hanging on to Highlander's back as he tries to escape.
What can Highlander do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
I really don't envy Highlander right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Norris's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Norris is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Highlander tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Norris wants to control but Highlander is keeping busy.
Norris is trying to stick to Highlander's back but Highlander is turning into Norris. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Norris's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Highlander.

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

Highlander working for a triangle but Norris defends it easily.
Norris prevents Highlander from getting back to his feet.

Highlander is looking for a triangle but Norris pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highlander keeping moving, preventing Norris from controlling successfully.
Norris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Norris wants to control from the top but Highlander keeps moving.

Highlander throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Norris trying to control the position from guard on top but Highlander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norris preventing the sweep.
Norris postures up in Highlander's guard and throws a big left but Highlander blocks it.

Highlander looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Norris passes into side control.
Highlander manages to work his way to half guard, despite Norris's best efforts.
Highlander is trying to get back to full guard.
Norris is trying to control. Highlander wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Norris dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Highlander fails with the takedown
and Norris counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Norris scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Norris rushes Highlander and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

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

Norris closes the distance and clinches.
Norris tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Highlander smiles and moves away.

Norris bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Highlander is trying to get back to half guard.
Highlander is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Norris's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Highlander manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Norris pushes down on Highlander's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norris trying to control from half guard but Highlander is working away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Highlander is trying to stand.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back.

Highlander has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Norris escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Norris!
Highlander is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Norris has just dragged him back down to the mat.

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.
Highlander is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Norris's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Norris tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Norris is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Highlander sees it coming and defends easily.
Norris content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Norris prevents Highlander from improving his position.

Highlander looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Highlander is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Norris pulls his head out easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Highlander shoots and misses
and Norris counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Norris misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Norris misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Norris. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Norris doesn't manage to clinch there - Highlander circles away.
Highlander shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Norris pinned against the cage. Norris gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Highlander fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Highlander misses with a takedown attempt - Norris sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Norris has managed to clinch.
Highlander is working for takedown but Norris is calmly controlling the position for now.
Norris wants a takedown but no success here.
Highlander tries for a takedown. No joy.
Highlander is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Highlander wants a takedown.
Highlander is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Highlander jumps into guard, dragging Norris to the mat.

Norris avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Highlander escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Norris gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Highlander wants to hit a switch here but Norris passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Highlander there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Norris dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Highlander shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Norris as he jumps to the side.
Norris lands a jab-cross combination.

Norris drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Highlander manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Andy Norris overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Highlander wants to work for an arm triangle but Norris is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Highlander is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Highlander is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Norris defends it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Highlander looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norris manages to get to full guard.

Highlander is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Norris is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Norris has escaped and now he's on top!

Highlander working for a triangle but Norris defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Highlander wants to sweep here but Norris controlling him for the moment.

Highlander is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Norris rolls with it to try and escape but Highlander cranks on the arm and Norris is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Scott Highlander!