PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gabe Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryusho Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Higgins
vs
Kobayashi

170 cm
21
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

177 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Mustang Fight Food

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabe Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryusho Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higgins shoots in for a takedown but Kobayashi shows good takedown defense.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kobayashi.
Kobayashi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Higgins on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kobayashi scores with a kick to the body.
Kobayashi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kobayashi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Higgins drops his hands momentarily and Kobayashi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice jab there from Kobayashi.

Higgins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Higgins showed some decent athleticism there.
Kobayashi is trying to get back to full guard.
Kobayashi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Higgins scores with a couple of nice shots.
Higgins sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Higgins throwing shots but Kobayashi is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins misses with a head shot. Kobayashi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kobayashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Higgins looking to pass the guard.
Higgins wants to control from the top but Kobayashi keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Higgins gets caught flat footed, as Kobayashi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kobayashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Higgins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kobayashi tries to stand but Higgins is controlling from the bottom.
Kobayashi won't allow Higgins to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi thows a big elbow that misses.
Higgins has control of Kobayashi's left arm, preventing Kobayashi from doing any damage.
Higgins looking for a sweep. Not yet Higgins, not yet.
Kobayashi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Higgins is proving hard to escape from.

Higgins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kobayashi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kobayashi misses with a body kick.
Kobayashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Kobayashi drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kobayashi preventing the sweep.
Higgins pulls Kobayashi in close to prevent any damage.
Higgins is breathing heavily.

Kobayashi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi wanted to stand there but Higgins had control of the position.

Higgins looking for a guillotine here but Kobayashi defends easily.
Higgins working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Higgins working for a triangle but Kobayashi defends it easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice body kick there by Kobayashi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Both fighters circling a little - Kobayashi finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Higgins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Kobayashi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Higgins tries to escape but Kobayashi is in control.
Check out the look on Kobayashi's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Kobayashi tries for a kimura but Higgins is defending well.
Higgins is looking to regain half guard here but Kobayashi keeps moving and retains side control.
Kobayashi trying to control the action but Higgins is working from the bottom.
Higgins gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Higgins wants to control but Kobayashi is keeping busy.
Higgins is controlling Kobayashi's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Higgins wants to get back to his feet.
Higgins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higgins is working hard here to advance position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Higgins wants to control but Kobayashi is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kobayashi darts in trying to clinch

and Higgins decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kobayashi's guard.
Higgins passes Kobayashi's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Higgins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Higgins seems to be looking for submissions.
Kobayashi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kobayashi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Higgins has passed into half guard!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Higgins tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Kobayashi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kobayashi is controlling Higgins's posture.
Kobayashi is looking to stand up but Higgins isn't so interested in that idea.

Kobayashi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kobayashi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kobayashi landing strikes from the mount and Higgins is in trouble!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi looking for a guillotine from mount but Higgins is having none of it.
Kobayashi scoring with strikes but Higgins is staying in there.

Kobayashi is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Higgins has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Higgins!
Kobayashi wants to sweep but no luck.

Kobayashi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kobayashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kobayashi is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Higgins rolls with it to try and escape but Kobayashi cranks on the arm and Higgins is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ryusho Kobayashi!