PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miller has chosen Johnny Cash - Hurt as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Higashikuni
vs
Miller

162 cm
28
146 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

173 cm
28
159 lbs
23 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brute
Perkele!

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Miller!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higashikuni avoids the body shot from Miller.
Miller walks into a left hand.
Higashikuni shoots in looking for a takedown. Miller tries to sprawl out of it but Higashikuni keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Miller manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sloppy strikes from Miller. Those never looked like landing.
Miller takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Higashikuni gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Miller moves out of range of the leg kick from Higashikuni.
Miller takes a swing at Higashikuni's ribcage but misses.
Miller connects with a solid leg kick.
Miller looks to land a left hand but Higashikuni moved out of range nicely.
Miller throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Higashikuni fails to land the takedown.
Miller wants to clinch.
Higashikuni getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higashikuni gets a double leg takedown into Miller's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Higashikuni throws a big right hand that misses.
Miller preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Miller managing to control the position.
Higashikuni trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
Miller wants to sweep here but Higashikuni controlling him for the moment.
Higashikuni slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Miller is looking to regain half guard here but Higashikuni keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Higashikuni in side control lands a decent elbow.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Higashikuni throws an elbow but Miller slips to the side and avoids it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The strikes coming from Higashikuni are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higashikuni misses with the ground and pound.
Higashikuni working away.
Miller keeps Higashikuni under control for a moment.
Higashikuni creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Miller sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Higashikuni in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Miller is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Miller is avoiding damage well.
Miller regains half guard.
Higashikuni winds up and cracks Miller with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Higashikuni 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.
Higashikuni working Miller over with strikes.
Higashikuni trying to control from half guard but Miller is working away.
Higashikuni thows a huge punch but Miller dodges it nicely.
Higashikuni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Miller knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Miller regains full guard. Nicely done.
Higashikuni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.
Higashikuni stopping the sweep attempt from Miller.
Miller keeping full guard, as Higashikuni tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.
Higashikuni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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!
Higashikuni looking to pass the guard.
Higashikuni trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
Higashikuni tries to free his leg and advance position but Miller is retaining full guard.
Higashikuni trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Higashikuni throws an elbow that misses. Miller uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Higashikuni's guard. Nice move by Miller!
Miller must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Higashikuni blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Miller.
Miller in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Miller controls the position from side control.
Miller lands a few punches from side control.
Check out the look on Miller's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Higashikuni manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Miller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higashikuni missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Higashikuni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Miller knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Higashikuni working the head and body with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni is keen to just control but Miller is a slippery customer.
Miller holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Higashikuni not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Higashikuni missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higashikuni is trying to control. Miller wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Miller has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Higashikuni is working away from the top position though.
Higashikuni is trying to control. Miller wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Higashikuni throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Miller makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Miller.
Higashikuni passes Miller's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Miller is trying to control but can't.
Miller is trying to get back to full guard.
Higashikuni seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Miller does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni works his way into side control.
Higashikuni throws an elbow but Miller slips to the side and avoids it well.
Miller is looking for a sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni is looking to take a break and control but Miller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miller is looking for a sweep.
Higashikuni looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Miller is avoiding damage well.
Higashikuni working away.
An elbow from Higashikuni crashes against the mat.

Higashikuni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Miller has escaped the position, nice work there.
Miller is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is trying to move to mount but Miller reverses beautifully and ends up in Higashikuni's guard.
Miller works over Higashikuni with some ground and pound from guard.
Miller postures up in Higashikuni's guard and throws a big left but Higashikuni blocks it.
Miller landing some decent shots from guard.

Miller avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Higashikuni lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Miller!
Miller regains half guard.
Higashikuni thows a huge punch but Miller dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Miller is trying to maintain the position but Higashikuni is very close to passing his half guard.

Higashikuni wants to work for an arm triangle but Miller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Higashikuni prevents Miller from improving his position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Miller is defending against the submission attempts here by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Higashikuni with a couple of short strikes.
Higashikuni looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
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 Katsu Higashikuni will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Higashikuni manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Miller on his heels. He'll look to pass Miller's guard now, I'm sure.
Higashikuni throws a big elbow that misses.
Higashikuni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Miller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Higashikuni trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller has his hands on Higashikuni's head, controlling the position.
Higashikuni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Miller is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Miller pulls Higashikuni in close to prevent any damage.
Miller avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Higashikuni keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Higashikuni might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Miller connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Miller pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Higashikuni is looking to improve his position but Miller isn't that keen on the idea.
Miller dominating with strikes here.
Miller landing punches.
Miller landing strikes from the mount.

Higashikuni is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Miller scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Oh Higashikuni is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Miller postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Higashikuni bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Miller and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matt Miller!
An out of breath Matt Miller thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.