Ryan Couture picks up late submission win against Lee Higgins on the Strikeforce Challengers 14 card in Austin, Texas

Strikeforce lightweight prospect, Ryan Couture once again made the most of the added spotlight tonight on the Strikeforce Challengers 14 card in Austin, Texas, defeating Lee Higgins late on in the third round with a rear-naked choke to remain undefeated.
Couture dominated the fight from the beginning, lighting up Higgins with a series of punches and low kicks. Couture continued to mix up his shots, landing a series of hard kicks to the body before Higgins fired back. Another body kick from Couture was caught by Higgins but Couture dropped him with a straight punch. Higgins is saved by the bell at the end of the first when Couture locks up a D’Arce choke. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Couture.
Higgins attempts to be the aggressor in the second round but Couture ties him up before landing yet more punches and kicks. Couture lands knees from the clinch before dropping Higgins with a punch but he’s right back up to his feet. Couture with the takedown before moving to full mount. Couture looks for an arm-triangle before taking the back of Higgins. Couture wails away with punches after failing to get the submission. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Couture.
Higgins looks for the takedown early but doesn’t get it. The pair exchange knees from the clinch before Higgins looks for another takedown. Couture defends and the pair exchange punches. More action in the clinch sees Couture get the better of it before exchanging punches yet again. Higgins ties up Couture but Couture soon breaks free and lands a takedown. Couture takes his back and works for a rear-naked choke but Higgins defends well. Couture goes for it again, this time forcing Higgins to tap with just nineteen seconds remaining.