PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ward Jensen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duke Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Duke Hightower has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ward Jensen's chin.

Jensen
vs
Hightower

212 cm
24
194 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
18
182 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Determined

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ward Jensen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duke Hightower!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Anthony Taglia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jensen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hightower tries to avoid it but Jensen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hightower to the ground. Hightower escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hightower looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Jensen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hightower as he jumps to the side.
Jensen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ward Jensen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jensen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hightower tries to counter with a clinch but Jensen shakes him off and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jensen or perhaps it was just good defense by Hightower, which made it look bad.
Jensen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Hightower misses

and Jensen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hightower won't be happy with that.

Jensen is trying to get an arm triangle but Hightower is defending well.

Jensen decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hightower to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jensen shoots in and drives through. Hightower sprawls well.
Hightower circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hightower tries to counter with a clinch but Jensen shakes him off and moves away.
Hightower defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jensen.
Hightower misses with a kick to the body.
Jensen is looking to counter the offense by Hightower and move into the clinch.
Hightower throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jensen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hightower as he avoids it easily.
Jensen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hightower but Hightower pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jensen shoots in but Hightower avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jensen.
Jensen fails with a takedown attempt.
Hightower misses with a low kick.
Duke Hightower seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hightower stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hightower wants it to stay on the feet.
Hightower steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Jensen.
Hightower looks for the body kick but Jensen saw that one coming.

Hightower scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jensen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jensen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hightower.
Jensen keeping hold of Hightower's head, controlling as best he can.
Hightower throws a strike but Jensen avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Jensen trying to control the position.
Hightower loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Jensen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hightower throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jensen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hightower landing some decent shots from guard.
Jensen 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.
Jensen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hightower postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hightower accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hightower throws a half hearted mid kick.

Hightower looking to score a takedown here. Jensen is defending well but Hightower drives through and ends up in Jensen's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Hightower dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jensen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hightower's guard.

Jensen gets to his feet. Hightower looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Jensen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jensen.
Jensen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hightower defends well and Jensen ends up having to push Hightower into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jensen darts in looking for a takedown but Hightower gets double underhooks and turns Jensen into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ward Jensen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hightower throws a leg kick but Jensen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hightower wants to clinch.
Jensen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jensen fails to land the takedown.
Jensen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hightower can pounce on him.
Jensen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hightower defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jensen.

Hightower rushes Jensen and presses him up against the cage.
Hightower looking to throw knees to the head but Jensen is blocking nicely.
Jensen is trying to pull guard but Hightower has him pressed against the cage.
Hightower with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hightower prevents the takedown attempt.
Hightower with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jensen wants a takedown but no success here.
Hightower with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hightower gets underhooks to prevent Jensen's takedown attempt.
Hightower using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hightower lands a knee to the body.
Hightower looking to throw knees to the head but Jensen is blocking nicely.
Hightower struggles to land a body shot inside as Jensen controls his hands.
Jensen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hightower just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've been informed that Hightower has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Hightower makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hightower misses with a knee strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jensen has had enough of the clinch but Hightower keeps him there for the moment.
Jensen goes for a takedown attempt but Hightower pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hightower throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hightower clinches up against the cage.
Hightower landing knees to the head.
Jensen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jensen is working for takedown but Hightower is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hightower tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jensen managing to block the knees to the body from Hightower.
Jensen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hightower pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Hightower has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hightower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jensen blocks it with crossed arms.
Hightower misses with a knee to the head.
Jensen is trying to break the clinch but Hightower has him pressed against the cage.
Jensen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hightower with a knee to the head.

Jensen successfully pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hightower wants to control from the top but Jensen keeps moving.
Hightower engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jensen is on top in guard.

Jensen wanted to stand there but Hightower had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Hightower showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hightower instigates a clinch.
Hightower is pressed up against the cage. Jensen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hightower down to the mat. Hightower avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hightower throws a jab but it's blocked by Jensen.
Jensen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hightower tries to clinch up but Jensen circles away and keeps his distance.
Jensen shoots in for a takedown but Hightower shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ward Jensen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jensen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jensen wants to stand up but Hightower is controlling the position.

Jensen is trying for a kimura here. Hightower looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Jensen wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ward Jensen!