PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Darryl Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph Alvarez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Darryl Higgins's chin.

Higgins
vs
Alvarez

220 cm
21
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

187 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Darryl Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Higgins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Higgins works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Higgins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alvarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alvarez wants to stand but Higgins is controlling the position.
Higgins sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Higgins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Joseph Alvarez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Alvarez.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Alvarez.
Higgins lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Higgins.
Alvarez working hard to break the clinch.
Alvarez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Higgins will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Alvarez up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higgins has Alvarez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Alvarez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Higgins has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Alvarez is trying to keep an underhook but Higgins manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Alvarez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higgins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higgins slows the pace down in half guard.
Higgins seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Alvarez for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Alvarez is defending against the submission attempts here by Higgins.
Higgins trying to control the pace.
Higgins not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Higgins walks into a left hand.
A jab from Alvarez finds it's way through Higgins's defenses.
Higgins defending well as Alvarez loads up on a big left hand.
Alvarez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higgins wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Jab, jab by Alvarez - just one landing.
Higgins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Alvarez.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Higgins defending well as Alvarez loads up on a big left hand.
Higgins avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Higgins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Higgins blocks a jab.
Higgins lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
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 Darryl Higgins will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Higgins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Higgins slips under a jab.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higgins shoots in but no luck this time.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Alvarez.
Higgins is looking for a counter combo.

Higgins is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Alvarez's half guard.

Higgins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Higgins in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins continues to stall.
Alvarez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Higgins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Higgins controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higgins is looking for a counter combo.
Alvarez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Higgins shoots for a takedown but Alvarez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Higgins avoids a kick to the body.
Alvarez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higgins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Alvarez.
Alvarez loads up on a big right hand but Higgins slips the punch.
Higgins takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez lands with a slapping head kick.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses.

Higgins closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Higgins lands in his opponent's guard.
Higgins content to stall in guard here.
Higgins scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Higgins slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higgins wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Higgins throws a big right hand that misses.
Higgins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses.
Higgins appears to be looking for a big counter.
A jab from Alvarez misses.
Alvarez misses with an uppercut

and Higgins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Higgins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Alvarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Higgins takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Alvarez throws the left hand but Higgins avoids the punch easily.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higgins seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Alvarez throws a hook to the side of Higgins's head but Higgins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Higgins was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Alvarez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Higgins clinches.
Higgins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Alvarez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higgins prevents Alvarez from breaking the clinch.
Higgins tries to land a knee to the head but Alvarez blocks with his arms.
Come on Higgins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Alvarez is pressed up against the cage. Higgins has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Alvarez down to the mat. Alvarez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins ducks right into an uppercut from Alvarez.
Alvarez is looking to land body kicks.
Higgins went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Alvarez misses with a head kick.
Higgins thinks about countering with a head kick.
Alvarez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higgins is looking for a counter combo.
Higgins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Higgins looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higgins pushing down on Alvarez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Higgins is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alvarez has hold of Higgins's hands but Higgins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Higgins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alvarez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Higgins is nestled in close to Alvarez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Higgins is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Higgins looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alvarez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins controlling the action here.
Higgins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Higgins performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Higgins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Higgins 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.
Higgins tries to pass the half guard into mount. Alvarez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four 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.
Alvarez throws a head kick that misses.

Higgins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alvarez, pushing him back against the cage.
Alvarez wants to break free but Higgins has control.
Alvarez is trying to break the clinch but Higgins is controlling him.

Higgins has clasped his hands together around Alvarez's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Higgins throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Darryl Higgins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alvarez defending against the ground and pound.
Higgins is staying tight to Alvarez's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ground and pound from Higgins seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Higgins is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Alvarez's shoulder. That is not cool.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darryl Higgins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Higgins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darryl Higgins!