PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between yuvel wickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and derek hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). derek hightower has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with yuvel wickson's chin.

wickson
vs
hightower

200 cm
18
272 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

202 cm
26
271 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter striker
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, yuvel wickson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, derek hightower!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, John Roberts and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from wickson misses.
The fighters circling - hightower throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from wickson.
wickson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
wickson moves in looking to clinch but hightower pushes him off.
hightower on the wrong end of a nice hook.
wickson tries to clinch up.
hightower smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from wickson misses.
wickson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
hightower tries a low kick but wickson avoids it.
wickson is looking to clinch.
hightower takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
wickson tries to clinch there but hightower circles away.
hightower showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from wickson.
hightower tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wickson throws an overhand right that lands on hightower's shoulder, as hightower tries to avoid the shot.
hightower shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
wickson tries to close the distance and clinch up but hightower swats him away and circles back towards the center.
hightower throws a right hand that wickson ducks under and follows up with a left that wickson also avoids with ease.
wickson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as hightower sprawls well. hightower wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. wickson gets slowly back to his feet.
wickson blocks a leg kick.
wickson misses with a low kick.
wickson shoots in but hightower avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for yuvel wickson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
wickson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before hightower has time to react.
hightower swings and misses with a hook to the body.
hightower tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but wickson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
yuvel wickson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
wickson throws a nice looking combination but hightower bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
wickson is looking to land body kicks.
wickson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. hightower defends it nicely.
wickson is breathing heavily.

hightower moves into the clinch successfully.
hightower can't get the takedown.
hightower tries for a takedown. No joy.
hightower dodges an elbow strike from wickson.
wickson misses with a short punch on the inside.
wickson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
hightower blocks the elbow strike.
hightower is trying to work for a single leg takedown but wickson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
wickson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
hightower blocks a body shot from wickson.
wickson tries for a takedown but hightower manages to get underhooks.
hightower is looking for a takedown up against the cage. wickson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
wickson wants a takedown but no success here.
hightower has wickson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. wickson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wickson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from hightower.
wickson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
hightower on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
hightower has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. wickson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
hightower drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
hightower goes for a takedown attempt but wickson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
wickson throws a sloppy body shot
and hightower counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
hightower tries to clinch there but wickson circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from hightower misses the target.
hightower is looking to score with low kicks.
derek hightower is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
hightower tries to land a front kick but wickson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
hightower uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from wickson.
wickson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and hightower connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
hightower scores with a sloppy right hand. wickson should have avoided that one.
hightower tries to clinch up.
hightower lands with an uppercut that bounces wickson off the cage and back into rage.
hightower throws out a powerful jab.
hightower is looking to clinch but wickson is avoiding it.

hightower moves into range and clinches up with wickson.
wickson throws an elbow but it misses.
wickson misses with a short punch on the inside.
hightower stops a takedown attempt from wickson.
hightower scores with an uppercut up the middle.

It looks like yuvel wickson has been cut.

hightower tightens his grip and picks wickson up, before dumping him to the ground. wickson manages to land in guard.
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.

hightower gets to his feet. wickson 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.

A close round but derek hightower will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on yuvel wickson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

hightower tries to clinch but wickson is having none of it.
wickson with a lazy takedown attempt

and hightower counters by moving into the clinch.
hightower blocks an elbow strike.

hightower lands a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

hightower decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on wickson, up you get!
wickson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

hightower closes the distance and pushes wickson back into the cage.
wickson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
wickson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
hightower drops to a knee looking for a takedown but wickson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
wickson gets underhooks to prevent hightower's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wickson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
wickson throws a knee to the head but misses.
wickson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
hightower blocks an elbow strike from wickson.
wickson throws an elbow that misses.
hightower blocks a body shot from wickson.
wickson lands a damaging elbow.
wickson throws a head punch that misses.
wickson prevents a takedown attempt there.
yuvel wickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of derek hightower.
hightower avoids the elbow strike from wickson, against the cage.
wickson throws an elbow that misses.
hightower wants a takedown but no success here.

hightower gets a trip takedown into half guard.

hightower decides to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

wickson clinches.
hightower managing to block the knees to the body from wickson.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, wickson just misses with a elbow thrown towards hightower's brow.
hightower has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. wickson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
wickson throws an elbow that misses.

hightower has wickson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. hightower pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending wickson tumbling to the mat - hightower dives into wickson's guard.

hightower stands up and waves to wickson to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wickson misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
wickson has his takedown stuffed
and hightower connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
hightower circles away from the clinch attempt
and hightower counters with a one-two to the body.
hightower is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by wickson.
wickson misses with a body shot.
wickson fails with the takedown
and hightower counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
wickson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
wickson moves out of range as hightower strikes.
wickson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and hightower counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

derek hightower showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on yuvel wickson's cut.
That's time! wickson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

hightower darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
hightower jabs wickson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
hightower throws a shot to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from hightower in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
wickson misses with a looping right.
hightower looks for the body kick but wickson saw that one coming.
hightower throws a series of punches but wickson moves out of range.
wickson throws a lazy right hand but hightower sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
wickson misses with a straight right.
hightower lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
hightower looks to land a combination. wickson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
wickson blocks a low kick nicely.
hightower thows a body shot but no joy.
hightower scores with a hook to the body. wickson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

hightower drives through and clinches with wickson against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
wickson gets underhooks to prevent hightower's takedown attempt.
hightower has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. wickson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hightower changes levels and goes for a takedown here. wickson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
yuvel wickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of derek hightower.
hightower stalks wickson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into wickson's face. wickson staggers backwards, shaken.
hightower loads up on a big right hand but wickson slips the punch.
hightower throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
derek hightower seems to be getting the better of the standup.
wickson tries to clinch but hightower moves away
and hightower makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
hightower throws the left hand but wickson avoids the punch easily.

hightower has wickson up against the cage in a clinch.
hightower has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. wickson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
wickson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but hightower pulls him back up using the underhooks.
wickson gets underhooks to prevent hightower's takedown attempt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
hightower wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
wickson tries to score a body lock takedown but hightower shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

wickson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, hightower regains guard.
hightower is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

hightower manages to escape and get back to his feet.
hightower uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from wickson.
hightower circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling hightower to counter with a crisp jab.
hightower shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A low kick from wickson is predictable there
and hightower counters with a series of strikes. wickson will be more careful next time no doubt.
hightower tries to clinch there but wickson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wickson staying out of range there.
wickson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and hightower counters with a straight right hand.
wickson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and hightower counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by hightower.
hightower blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
wickson is pressed up against the cage. hightower has hold of a leg and is looking to drag wickson down to the mat. wickson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
hightower moves in looking to clinch but wickson pushes him off.
wickson tries to clinch up
enabling hightower to counter with a crisp jab.
wickson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and hightower counters with a left and a right that stings wickson.
hightower misses with a leg kick.
hightower misses with a leg kick.
hightower smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
hightower staying out of range there.
wickson checks a leg kick.
hightower ducks under a wild hook from wickson.
wickson misses with a looping right.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from hightower 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 wickson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from wickson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
hightower lands a two punch combo.
hightower lands an overhand right.
hightower tries to clinch but wickson moves away
and wickson counters with a body kick that stops hightower in his tracks momentarily.
wickson ducks under a wild hook from hightower.
yuvel wickson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
wickson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
hightower thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice jab there from hightower.
hightower throws a nice looking combination but wickson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
wickson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
derek hightower comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well hightower has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... derek hightower!