PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taki Shitatake (ranked 4765 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuro Higati (ranked 4767 p4p, 0 weight class). Nuro Higati has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shitatake
vs
Higati

184 cm
18
208 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taki Shitatake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nuro Higati!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higati misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shitatake lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Higati has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Higati and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shitatake uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Higati.
A big right from Higati misses.
Shitatake blocks a low kick nicely.
Shitatake looks to land a left hand but Higati moved out of range nicely.
Shitatake misses with a two punch combination.
Higati moves out of range as Shitatake throws a body kick.
The fighters circling - Higati throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Higati checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Higati tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shitatake was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Higati wants to land a leg kick but Shitatake is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shitatake pivots, looking for a leg kick but Higati is out of range and Shitatake settles back down.
Higati lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Shitatake throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Higati!
Higati lands a nice looking body shot.
Higati throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Higati throws a head kick but Shitatake moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higati missing with a left hand there. Shitatake was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Higati is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Shitatake.
Shitatake throws a shot from downtown. Higati moves away and avoids it.
Shitatake walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Taki Shitatake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higati cracks Shitatake with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Higati avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Higati looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Higati takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Higati throws out a loose jab but Shitatake uses good head movement to avoid it.
A leg kick checked by Higati.
Higati swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Higati throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shitatake moves out of range of the strikes.
Shitatake fails with a takedown attempt.
Shitatake avoids a kick to the body.
Nuro Higati is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shitatake doesn't manage to clinch there - Higati circles away.
Higati was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shitatake tries a head kick but it misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Higati.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higati staying out of range there.
Higati looks to score with a jab to the body but Shitatake is just out of range.
Higati slaps away a takedown attempt from Shitatake, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Higati tests Shitatake's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shitatake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Higati lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shitatake just misses with a punch to the body.
Higati looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Higati misses with an attempted mid kick.

Shitatake drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shitatake pushing down on Higati's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shitatake is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higati tries to get to full guard but Shitatake has control of the leg.
Shitatake trying to pass the guard but Higati defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shitatake is keen to just control but Higati is a slippery customer.
Higati missing with punches from the bottom.
Shitatake wants to advance to full mount but Higati doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Shitatake trying to control the position from guard on top but Higati is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shitatake drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Higati manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shitatake has Higati in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higati is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shitatake trying to control the position.
Higati stopping the sweep attempt from Shitatake.
Higati stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shitatake swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuro Higati dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shitatake checks a low kick from Higati.
A telegraphed right hand from Higati misses the target.
Shitatake shoots and misses
and Higati counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Shitatake tries to close the distance and clinch up but Higati swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higati dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shitatake tries to work over Higati's front leg with a kick but Higati checks it.
Higati looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shitatake throws a lazy right hand but Higati sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Higati slips a straight right by Shitatake.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Higati. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Shitatake throws a body shot but no joy.
Higati throws a head kick but Shitatake moves out of range.
Higati swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higati wants to slow Shitatake down by chopping away at his legs.
Higati's corner calls for a 1-2. Higati obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shitatake takes one to the side of the head.
Higati looks to land a left hand but Shitatake moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Shitatake - just one landing.
Shitatake is trying hard to land a takedown here. Higati sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shitatake does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shitatake avoids the head kick by Higati.
Higati shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Higati throws a low kick but Shitatake avoids it.
Shitatake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higati throws out a counter right but Shitatake avoids it with no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shitatake steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Higati.
Higati throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shitatake stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shitatake throws the left hand but Higati avoids the punch easily.
Nice jab there from Higati.
Higati avoids the head kick by Shitatake.
Higati will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shitatake looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shitatake misses with a looping right.
A head kick misses from Shitatake.
Higati misses with a head kick.
Higati takes a swing at Shitatake's ribcage but misses.
Shitatake walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Higati lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shitatake's sensitive parts.
Higati connects with a crisp jab.
Shitatake avoids the head kick by Higati.
A lazy left from Higati finds it's target.
Higati finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Shitatake throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Higati misses with a kick to the body.
Nice defenses there by Higati.
Shitatake takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higati walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shitatake checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The fighters circling - Shitatake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Higati pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shitatake is out of range and Higati settles back down.
Higati throws a leg kick that misses.
Shitatake loads up on a big right hand but Higati slips the punch.
Higati tests Shitatake's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shitatake takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Higati lands with an uppercut that bounces Shitatake off the cage and back into range.
Higati fails to land with a series of punches.
Shitatake blocks a jab.
Higati avoids the body shot from Shitatake.
Higati misses with an uppercut.
Higati ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Higati tries a quick counter leg kick but Shitatake is wise to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higati misses with an attempted mid kick.
An inside leg kick from Higati misses.
Shitatake misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Higati fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shitatake is out of range.
The fighters circling - Shitatake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shitatake takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shitatake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higati moves away.
Higati ducks right into an uppercut from Shitatake.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shitatake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higati throws a sloppy head kick and Shitatake moves out of range easily.
Higati lands with a shot to the body.
Shitatake is looking to clinch but Higati is avoiding it.
Higati goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Higati throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuro Higati showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Higati throws out a leg kick but Shitatake moves out of range and Higati only half commits.
Higati tries to score with a low kick but Shitatake moves his leg out of the way.
Nuro Higati seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Higati misses the shot to the body.
Higati throws a one two combo.
An inside leg kick from Higati misses.
Shitatake with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Higati to score with a decent uppercut.
Shitatake shoots in for a takedown but Higati shows good takedown defense.
Shitatake fails to land the takedown.
Higati throws a combination. Shitatake tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Shitatake is rocked!
and Higati counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Shitatake! He's just covering up as Higati starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nuro Higati!