PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keith Higham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Soule (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.

Higham
vs
Soule

200 cm
19
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keith Higham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sam Soule!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higham fails in his attempt to clinch.

Higham looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Soule trying to control here.
Higham will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Soule tries to roll over but Higham keeps him under control.
Higham tries to stand but can't do so whilst Soule controls his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soule trying to hold on to Higham's head to control him but Higham postures up.
Higham prevents Soule from improving his position.

Higham escapes and gets back to his feet.

Higham feints and as Soule raises his hands in defense, Higham changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Higham stands and steps away. Soule gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Higham takes the fight into the clinch.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.

It looks like Sam Soule has been cut.
Higham lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Soule 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.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Soule fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham trying to land knees to the body.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Soule leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soule fails to pull guard.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the cage and eventually Soule drops back down to his feet.
Keith Higham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Soule.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the cage and eventually Soule drops back down to his feet.
Soule fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Soule wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Soule's brow.
Soule tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Higham just stands there and leans against the cage.
Soule wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Soule tries to throw a body punch but Higham avoids it by throwing Soule back against the cage.
Higham prevents the takedown attempt.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the cage and eventually Soule drops back down to his feet.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Soule managing to block the knees to the body from Higham.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.
Higham prevents Soule from breaking the clinch.
Higham avoids a wild elbow strike from Soule.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Higham trying to land knees to the body.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.

Soule jumps guard.
Higham has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Soule working a defensive guard but Higham manages to pass into side control anyway.
Soule tries to buck Higham off but Higham is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Higham stands up and beckons Soule to his feet.

Higham rushes Soule and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Soule trying to stall but Higham improves his position.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.
Soule is trying to drag Higham to the mat but Higham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Soule tries for a takedown but Higham manages to get underhooks.
Soule looks gassed!
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham won't allow it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Soule drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Higham gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Higham dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Soule's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Higham darts in and clinches Soule up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Soule's brow.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the cage and eventually Soule drops back down to his feet.
Soule drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Higham gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Higham tries to land knees in the clinch but Soule avoids the damage to the body.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule fails to pull guard.
Keith Higham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Soule.
Soule avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Soule tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Soule avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Soule trying to stall but Higham improves his position.
Soule avoiding damage as Higham throws knees to the body.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.
Higham lands an elbow inside.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Higham is pressed up against the cage. Soule has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Higham down to the mat. Higham avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Soule fails with an attempt to clinch.
Higham fails in his attempt to clinch.

Higham shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Soule is breathing heavily.

Higham decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Higham moves into the clinch.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
Soule changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Higham fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Higham is looking to clinch but Soule is avoiding it.
Higham tries to clinch but Soule moves away

and Soule counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higham wants to get back to his feet.
Higham on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Higham tries to get out of the position.

Higham makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Higham rushes Soule and presses him up against the cage.
Soule looking to throw knees to the head but Higham is blocking nicely.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Soule throws a punch but it's blocked by Higham.
Higham lands a nice elbow.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Soule misses with some punches.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Higham gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Soule avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Higham lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
Soule wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule blocks an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
Soule tries to break the clinch but Higham is controlling the position.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Soule on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Soule avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Higham landing knees to the body.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham won't allow it.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham holds him up against the cage and eventually Soule drops back down to his feet.
Soule changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Higham fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Higham tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Higham looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Higham gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Soule fails with the takedown

and Higham counters with a single leg into guard. Soule didn't expect that.

Higham decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Soule, up you get!
Higham fails with an attempt to clinch.
Soule swats away the attempt to clinch by Higham.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soule shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Higham counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Higham gets to his feet. Soule looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Higham dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sam Soule's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Higham landing knees to the body.
Higham lands an elbow just above Soule 's eye.
Higham lands a damaging elbow.
Soule avoids a wild elbow strike from Higham.
Soule takes an elbow to the forehead.

That has opened up Sam Soule's cut even more.
Higham landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Soule leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Higham is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Soule can do to turn this around?
Soule has Higham pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Higham manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soule misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Higham.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Higham misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Soule.
Soule takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Higham just misses with a elbow thrown towards Soule's brow.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Soule leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Soule is trying to break the clinch but Higham has him pressed against the cage.
Higham lands a knee to the body.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule takes an elbow to the forehead.
Keith Higham has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Soule jumps guard but Higham stands there with Soule around his waist. Soule gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Higham gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Soule.
Keith Higham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Soule.
Knees to the body from Higham.
Higham lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soule avoiding damage as Higham throws knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
Higham comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Soule fails to pull guard.
Soule takes an elbow to the forehead.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Higham gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Soule can't break the clinch.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soule blocks an elbow strike.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soule jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Higham walks away with a smile on his face. Soule gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Soule is looking to clinch but Higham is avoiding it.
Sam Soule is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Higham moves into range and clinches up with Soule.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soule fails to pull guard.
Higham pushes off an throws an elbow but Soule leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.
Higham throws an elbow that misses.
Soule wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Higham has him pressed against the cage.
Higham creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Soule's defenses.
Soule tries to pull guard but Higham won't allow it.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
Higham prevents a takedown attempt there.
Higham misses with an elbow strike.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.
Soule avoids the elbow strike from Higham, against the cage.
Higham pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham lands an elbow just above Soule 's eye.

The cut above Sam Soule's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Nice elbow from Higham.
Soule can't break the clinch.
Higham creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Higham.

That's four 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.
Higham throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Keith Higham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Soule wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Higham throws an elbow but it misses.
Soule can't break the clinch.
Soule on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soule dodges an elbow strike from Higham.
Soule can't break the clinch.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Soule blocks the elbow strike.
Soule is trying to drag Higham to the mat but Higham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Higham looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Higham misses with an elbow over the top.
Higham lands an elbow just above Soule 's eye.
Higham lands an elbow inside.
Sam Soule has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Higham throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keith Higham showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Higham has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Higham!