PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brad Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geraldo Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Freestyler. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ryan
vs
Higgins

175 cm
33
164 lbs
19 - 16 - 0

175 cm
30
168 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Brad Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Geraldo Higgins!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Higgins moves into the clinch.
Ryan prevents a body shot from Higgins.
Higgins has had enough of the clinch but Ryan keeps him there for the moment.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ryan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ryan with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ryan tries to land knees in the clinch but Higgins avoids the damage to the body.
Higgins throws a head punch that misses.
Ryan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Higgins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ryan's elbow.
Higgins prevents the takedown attempt.
Higgins lands a shot to the body.
Ryan lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Higgins or not.
A hook to the body from Higgins.

Ryan has picked Higgins up - he's going for a ride! Ryan dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Higgins is in trouble now - Ryan has advanced to mount!
Higgins is squirming around, avoiding Ryan's attempts to control the action.
Higgins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Higgins is not content to let Ryan control the position.
Higgins trying to control from the bottom.

Ryan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Higgins defends it well.
Ryan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Higgins trying to control but Ryan postures up.
Ryan trying to control from half guard but Higgins is working away.
Higgins gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan chips away with some ground and pound.
Ryan trying to control but Higgins is working from the bottom.
Higgins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ryan manages to get himself to full guard.
Higgins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Higgins looking to sit in guard and control but Ryan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Higgins is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Higgins is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ryan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins trying to keep a closed guard but Ryan is proving a slippery customer.
Higgins keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.
Higgins looking to control.
Ryan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Higgins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ryan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Higgins's guard.
Ryan wants to pass the guard but Higgins is defending well.
Ryan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Higgins defending well though.
Ryan wants to control but Higgins is keeping him busy.
Higgins is looking to control Ryan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Higgins avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan trying to pass the guard but Higgins defending well.
Ryan prevents Higgins from improving his position.
Ryan is trying to control. Higgins wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ryan is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Ryan goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Higgins is on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Higgins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ryan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Higgins has managed to get both his arms back between Ryan's legs - danger averted.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higgins trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ryan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brad Ryan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ryan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Higgins on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ryan. Ryan obviously looking to wear him down.
Ryan looks to land a combination but Higgins avoids it well.
Ryan swings for the body but Higgins moves out of range.
Ryan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Higgins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ryan throws a wild body kick that Higgins sees coming a mile off.
Higgins blocks a leg kick.

Ryan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ryan is putting a hurting on Higgins here, landing some big shots from side control.
Higgins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ryan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ryan lands a nice forearm strike.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Higgins is looking for a sweep.
Higgins gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higgins is staying active underneath Ryan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Higgins is trying to maintain the position but Ryan is very close to passing his half guard.
Higgins tries to get to full guard but Ryan has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan is thwarting Higgins's attempts to control the position.
Ryan moves into full mount! Higgins won't be happy about that!
Ryan trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Higgins is in all sorts of trouble here.

Ryan wants to finish this one by submission but Higgins is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ryan.
Higgins working to try and regain half guard.
Ryan landing strikes, looking to finish!
Higgins is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan trying to control but Higgins is having none of it.
Higgins is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Ryan with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Higgins is trying desperately to improve position.
Higgins is squirming around, avoiding Ryan's attempts to control the action.
Ryan lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Higgins hang on?
Ryan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Higgins is trying to escape the mount.
Ryan avoids the attempt from Higgins to control.
Higgins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ryan postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Higgins looks a forlorn figure.
Ryan prevents Higgins from getting the reversal.
Higgins wants to control but Ryan is having none of it.

Ryan is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Higgins has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Higgins is squirming around, avoiding Ryan's attempts to control the action.
Higgins can't escape the position.
Higgins taking shots to the head.
Ryan cracks Higgins with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Higgins is bucking up trying to escape but Ryan cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ryan lands a big elbow.
Ryan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ryan with a couple of short strikes.

Higgins is rocked!
Higgins is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ryan lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Higgins hang on?
Higgins is still in real trouble! Can Ryan finish him?
Ryan tries to control but Higgins wriggling away.
Higgins seems to have recovered his senses.
Higgins wants to control but Ryan is having none of it.
Ryan raining down hammerfists from mount.
Brad Ryan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ryan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Higgins is looking to escape.
Ryan with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Ryan dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ryan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higgins moves away.
Higgins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Brad Ryan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A solid body kick from Ryan.
Ryan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Higgins shoots for a double leg takedown but Ryan sprawls well. He's pushed Higgins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sloppy strikes from Higgins. Those never looked like landing.
Higgins misses with a series of wild punches.
Ryan scores with a kick to the midsection.

Ryan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Higgins, pushing him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Ryan.
Ryan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Higgins's face.
Ryan digs a right hand into Higgins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Higgins's gas tank.
Higgins tries a body shot but Ryan blocks it.

Ryan manages to break the clinch.
Higgins misses with a body punch
and Ryan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Higgins's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ryan forces Higgins back against the cage and clinches.
Higgins tries to pull guard but Ryan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Higgins being controlled against the cage.
Ryan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Higgins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A short uppercut from Ryan.
Ryan stalling.
Higgins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ryan's elbow.
Ryan lands a nice knee to the body.

Ryan is trying to trip Higgins. He has hold of a leg but Higgins is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ryan persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ryan postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ryan slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ryan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Higgins is just riding it out for now. Ryan eventually gives up the hold.
Ryan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Higgins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higgins trying to control here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Higgins manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ryan looking to sit in guard and control but Higgins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ryan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Brad Ryan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ryan holds on and takes a little breather.
Ryan's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Higgins trying to control but Ryan is working from the bottom.
Ryan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Ryan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ryan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Geraldo Higgins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higgins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Higgins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ryan has his hands on Higgins's head, controlling the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ryan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Brad Ryan just wasn't active enough.
Ryan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Higgins dips to his left and cracks Ryan with an uppercut!
Higgins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Higgins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Higgins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Higgins.
Ryan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higgins moves away.
Ryan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Higgins misses.
Higgins on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ryan moves into the clinch.
Ryan scores with a shot to the side of Higgins's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brad Ryan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ryan 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brad Ryan!
An out of breath Brad Ryan thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.