PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leviticus Higgenhosen (ranked 4432 p4p, 4494 weight class) and Qiang Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Higgenhosen
vs
Li

151 cm
19
130
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
174
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leviticus Higgenhosen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Qiang Li!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgenhosen tries to clinch up.
Li throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Higgenhosen counters with a one-two to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Li.

Higgenhosen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Li to the ground. Higgenhosen is now in Li's guard.
Li controls Higgenhosen momentarily but Higgenhosen frees himself.
Higgenhosen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Li is trying to control the position but Higgenhosen postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgenhosen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgenhosen slips nicely into half guard.
Higgenhosen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Li is looking for a sweep. Higgenhosen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Higgenhosen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Li defends it well.
Li wants to control but Higgenhosen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Li really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgenhosen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgenhosen not doing much here.
Li wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Higgenhosen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Li defends it well.
Higgenhosen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Li knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Li trying to hold on to Higgenhosen's head to control him but Higgenhosen postures up.
Higgenhosen uses his free foot to push down on Li's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Li.
Li really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Li is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Li tries to hold on but Higgenhosen pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgenhosen controlling from the full mount.
Li is wriggling around trying to escape.
Higgenhosen controlling from the full mount.
Li keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Li wants to control but Higgenhosen is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Higgenhosen jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Li manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Higgenhosen decides to stand up, so the ref orders Li to his feet.
Higgenhosen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Li looks for the body kick but Higgenhosen saw that one coming.
Li misses with a kick to the body
and Higgenhosen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Li misses the body punch

and Higgenhosen counters with a takedown into side control.
Higgenhosen is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li tries to improve position but can't.
Li looks to move to half guard but instead Higgenhosen has passed into mount! Damn!
Higgenhosen lands a nice shot to the head.
Li tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Li tries to hold on but Higgenhosen pushes him away.

Higgenhosen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leviticus Higgenhosen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Li tries to sprawl but Higgenhosen drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Leviticus Higgenhosen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Li has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Higgenhosen is working away from the top position though.
Li is looking to improve his position.

Higgenhosen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Higgenhosen here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Li tries to roll over but Higgenhosen keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Li trying to hold on to Higgenhosen's head to control him but Higgenhosen postures up.
Higgenhosen prevents Li from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgenhosen not doing much here.
Higgenhosen passes into side control, despite Li's attempt to control the position.
Li tries to buck Higgenhosen off but Higgenhosen is having none of it.
Higgenhosen working away.
Li is trying to work for a sweep but Higgenhosen has mounted him!
Li is just holding on here. Higgenhosen manages to take his back.
Higgenhosen avoiding Li 's attempts to control his hands.
Li is breathing heavily.

Higgenhosen has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Li! Can he survive? No! He's out! Higgenhosen 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 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Leviticus Higgenhosen!