PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Derek Higginsworth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Bateman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higginsworth comes into the arena with Mr. Grinch blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Bateman's choice of entrance music: True Faith. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Higginsworth
vs
Bateman

193 cm
21
280 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
265 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Knock Out Artistry

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Derek Higginsworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brock Bateman!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higginsworth lands with a slapping head kick.

Bateman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bateman throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Higginsworth is not content to let Bateman control the position.
Bateman creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bateman cracks Higginsworth with a big right hand but Higginsworth just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Higginsworth wants to control but Bateman postures up.
Bateman throws an elbow but Higginsworth slips to the side and avoids it well.
Bateman throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The strikes coming from Bateman are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bateman creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Higginsworth sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bateman misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
An elbow from Bateman crashes against the mat.
Bateman lands a decent elbow from side control.
Bateman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Higginsworth keeps working.
Higginsworth managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bateman.
Bateman working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Bateman postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
A lull in the action here.
Bateman tries to advance to mount but Higginsworth instead regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bateman is keen to just control but Higginsworth is a slippery customer.
Bateman thows a huge punch but Higginsworth dodges it nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bateman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bateman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Higginsworth.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Higginsworth.
Higginsworth is looking to land body kicks.
Higginsworth misses with a low kick.
Higginsworth thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bateman if he has to take too many more of those.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bateman dives in and grabs Higginsworth's left leg, looking for a takedown. Higginsworth pushes down on Bateman's head and hops out.
A big right from Bateman misses.
Higginsworth throws a leg kick which misses Bateman's front leg but catches the back leg as Bateman tries to avoid it.
Bateman looks gassed!
Bateman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higginsworth was well out of range. Poor timing from Bateman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginsworth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bateman dives in and grabs Higginsworth's left leg, looking for a takedown. Higginsworth pushes down on Bateman's head and hops out.
Higginsworth throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bateman blocks a head kick by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bateman.
Higginsworth looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
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!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higginsworth misses with a body kick.
Higginsworth throws an overhand right that lands on Bateman's shoulder, as Bateman tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters circling - Bateman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Higginsworth thuds his shin into the meat of Bateman's side.
Higginsworth throws a sloppy head kick and Bateman moves out of range easily.
Bateman checks a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Higginsworth.
Bateman takes a kick to the side of the head.
Higginsworth thumps Bateman with a low kick.
Bateman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bateman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Some bone on bone action there as Bateman checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Derek Higginsworth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higginsworth misses with a head kick.
Bateman throws a jab but it's blocked by Higginsworth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that misses.
Higginsworth lands a high kick!
Higginsworth is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bateman just misses with a punch to the body.
Higginsworth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higginsworth throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Higginsworth misses with a head kick.
Higginsworth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bateman jabs Higginsworth right on the nose. Higginsworth blinks but takes it well.
Bateman throws a jab but it's blocked by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth lands a nice looking body kick.
Higginsworth pushes Bateman away with a front kick.
Higginsworth throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bateman's head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth misses with a body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higginsworth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higginsworth is looking to slow Bateman down with leg kicks.
Bateman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Higginsworth.
Bateman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Higginsworth lands a high kick!
Higginsworth lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bateman's sensitive parts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Higginsworth lands with a kick to the temple. Bateman shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bateman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Higginsworth stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Higginsworth feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bateman's calf.
Higginsworth on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Derek Higginsworth is winning the standup battle so far.
Higginsworth shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Higginsworth gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Higginsworth working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bateman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bateman throwing strikes but missing.
Bateman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bateman looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bateman throwing strikes from guard but Higginsworth blocks nicely.
Bateman is breathing heavily.
Higginsworth keeping moving, preventing Bateman from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bateman throwing strikes from guard but Higginsworth blocks nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bateman throws a body punch but Higginsworth moves out of range.
Higginsworth lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's two 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.
Bateman takes a swing at Higginsworth's ribcage but misses.
Higginsworth is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bateman can do to turn this around?
Higginsworth misses with a low kick.
Higginsworth throws a looping overhand right but Bateman ducks down to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Higginsworth there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bateman avoids the head kick by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that misses.
Bateman thows a body shot but no joy.
Bateman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Higginsworth tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bateman misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Higginsworth.
Bateman misses with a wild body shot.
Higginsworth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bateman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Higginsworth rather than just go for the knockout.
Higginsworth is looking to land body kicks.
Derek Higginsworth is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Higginsworth pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bateman is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Bateman moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Higginsworth throws a sloppy head kick and Bateman moves out of range easily.
Higginsworth looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Higginsworth does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Higginsworth throws a low kick but Bateman avoids it.

Bateman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Higginsworth to the mat! Higginsworth manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginsworth not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bateman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bateman throws a strike but Higginsworth rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Higginsworth being controlled here momentarily.
Bateman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Higginsworth slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bateman working a defensive guard but Higginsworth passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Derek Higginsworth will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A thudding body kick lands there by Higginsworth!
A head kick misses from Higginsworth.
Bateman fails with a takedown attempt.
Bateman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Higginsworth.
Higginsworth misses with the combination.
Bateman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Higginsworth swivels and escapes.
Higginsworth blocks a jab.
Higginsworth lands a head kick!
Higginsworth throws a head kick that Bateman semi-blocks.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higginsworth moves out of range of the strikes.
Bateman just misses with a punch to the body.
Bateman avoids a kick to the body.
Bateman throws a series of punches but Higginsworth avoids them all with ease.
Bateman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Higginsworth feints and then cracks Bateman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bateman down.
Higginsworth slips a jab from Bateman.
Higginsworth thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bateman if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higginsworth connects with a high kick.
Higginsworth lands a high kick!
Higginsworth fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bateman.
A good leg kick by Higginsworth.
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!
Bateman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higginsworth moves away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Higginsworth.
Higginsworth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higginsworth lands with a kick to the temple. Bateman shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bateman avoids the head kick by Higginsworth.
Higginsworth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higginsworth is looking to chop away at Bateman's legs.
A swing and a miss from Bateman.
A solid leg kick lands there for Higginsworth.
Bateman takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bateman avoids the head kick by Higginsworth.
Bateman fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A leg kick checked by Bateman.
Higginsworth lands with a kick to the ribs.
Higginsworth throws the kick towards the body but Bateman avoids it.
Higginsworth throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Bateman misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Higginsworth.
Bateman slips under a jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Higginsworth lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bateman has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bateman and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Higginsworth buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Higginsworth connects with a high kick.
Higginsworth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higginsworth throws a head kick but Bateman moves out of range.
Higginsworth throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bateman.
Higginsworth scores with a leg kick.
Bateman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Higginsworth is looking to land body kicks.
Higginsworth feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bateman's calf.
Higginsworth misses with a looping right.
Bateman has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Higginsworth.
Bateman ducks under a wild hook from Higginsworth.
Higginsworth misses with a head kick.
Higginsworth walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bateman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bateman throws an overhand right that lands on Higginsworth's shoulder, as Higginsworth tries to avoid the shot.
Higginsworth throws a low kick, looking for Bateman's leg but Bateman calmly moves out of range.
Bateman lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higginsworth pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bateman looks to score with a jab to the body but Higginsworth is just out of range.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that misses.
Bateman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Higginsworth throws a head kick that misses.

Bateman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Higginsworth sprawls well initially but Bateman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bateman wants to pass to mount but Higginsworth is defending the position.
Bateman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Higginsworth's head.
Higginsworth wants to control but Bateman is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bateman frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bateman lands with some strikes.
Derek Higginsworth is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bateman landing strikes from the mount.
Bateman dominating with strikes here.
Bateman landing punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice elbow there by Bateman.
Brock Bateman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bateman throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Higginsworth showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Higginsworth, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Higginsworth!