PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Holmes (ranked 7526 p4p, 7252 weight class) and Trace Finlay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Finlay has chosen Hot Girl Bummer as his entrance music. The key to victory for Jack Holmes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Holmes
vs
Finlay

191 cm
24
230
2 - 4 - 0

177 cm
18
225
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Trace Finlay!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Finlay moves into the clinch.
Holmes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holmes is looking to break free of the clinch but Finlay has double underhooks.
Holmes is trying to break the clinch but Finlay is controlling him.
Finlay keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holmes's efforts to push away.
Holmes is trying to force a seperation but Finlay has the dominant position.
Holmes can't break the clinch.
Holmes can't break the clinch.
Holmes is trying to break free.

Finlay turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Finlay manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finlay taking a breather here.

Finlay decides to take the fight back to the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmes lands a head kick. Finlay smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Holmes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Finlay walks into a jab.
Finlay takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes works over Finlay's head and body with a nice combination.
Holmes dodges the punch combination from Finlay.
Holmes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Finlay has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Jack Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holmes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Holmes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Holmes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Finlay manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Holmes on his heels. He'll look to pass Holmes's guard now, I'm sure.

Holmes has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Finlay off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holmes lands with a cross.
Jack Holmes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Finlay closes the distance and clinches.
Finlay scores with a shoulder strike.

Finlay works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Holmes manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Finlay keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holmes's efforts to push away.
Finlay lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Finlay has Holmes pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Finlay pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Holmes tumbling to the mat - Finlay dives into Holmes's guard.
Finlay throws a big elbow that misses.
Finlay is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Finlay scoring with punches to the head and body.
Finlay prevents Holmes from getting back to his feet.
Finlay throwing strikes but missing.
Finlay landing some decent shots from guard.
Finlay content to stall in guard here.
Finlay prevents Holmes from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes has momentary wrist control but Finlay slips an elbow through the middle.
Finlay works over Holmes with some ground and pound from guard.
Holmes wants to stand up but Finlay is controlling him.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Finlay's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Holmes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Finlay content to stall in guard here.
Holmes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Finlay is controlling him.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Finlay postures up in Holmes's guard and throws a big left but Holmes blocks it.
Holmes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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

Finlay closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Finlay creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Finlay breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holmes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Holmes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Finlay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Finlay gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Finlay should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Holmes is trying to break the clinch but Finlay is controlling him.

Finlay works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Finlay stops Holmes from standing up.
Finlay must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Finlay landing some decent shots from guard.
Finlay slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Finlay with a nice head shot there.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Finlay from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finlay throwing strikes but missing.
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 Jack Holmes will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Finlay has managed to clinch.

Finlay has picked Holmes up - he's going for a ride! Finlay dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Holmes has one foot on Finlay's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Finlay takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Holmes lands with a thumping leg kick.

Finlay darts in and clinches Holmes up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Finlay manages to pull guard.

Holmes decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Holmes fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Finlay on the side of the head.
Holmes lands with a nice body punch.
Holmes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Finlay in his tracks.

Finlay fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holmes, pushing him back against the cage.
Holmes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Holmes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Finlay drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holmes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Finlay has Holmes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holmes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holmes is looking to break free of the clinch but Finlay has double underhooks.
Holmes tries to circle away but Finlay has him pinned against the cage.
Finlay leaning his opponent against the cage.

Finlay jumps guard.
Holmes wants to stand and escape but instead Finlay has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Holmes kicks Finlay off and gets to his feet.
Holmes misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes throws a series of punches but Finlay avoids them all with ease.
Holmes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Finlay.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holmes is pushing Finlay's head away, looking to escape. Finlay manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Finlay stands up and beckons Holmes to his feet.
Holmes throws a nice looking combination but Finlay bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Finlay has eaten all the pies!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Finlay's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Holmes connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Finlay scrambles back to his feet.
Holmes is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Finlay throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Holmes was covering up waiting for the punch and Finlay finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Holmes wriggles free and stands up.
Finlay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Holmes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Finlay.
Jack Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trace Finlay.

Finlay gets a clinch.
Finlay lands a right hand that snaps the head of Holmes backwards.
Finlay landing knees to the body.

Finlay pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlay has a closed guard, preventing Holmes from standing up.
Finlay striking off his back but it's not causing Holmes any problems.
Finlay working a defensive guard here.

Holmes stands up and waves to Finlay to follow him.
Holmes throws a sloppy head kick and Finlay moves out of range easily.
Holmes avoids the head kick by Finlay.

Finlay darts in and clinches Holmes up against the cage.
Trace Finlay seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Holmes working hard to break the clinch.

Finlay has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Holmes uses from the top position.
Holmes is fighting to break Finlay's control of his arms but Finlay is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Holmes wanted to stand there but Finlay had control of the position.
Holmes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finlay controlling the position.

Finlay is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Holmes presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Finlay successfully pulls guard.
Holmes is looking to stand up but Finlay won't let him.

Holmes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Holmes lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Holmes closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holmes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Holmes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Finlay stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Finlay shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Holmes manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmes can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Finlay controls the pace.
Finlay postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
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 Jack Holmes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Finlay manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Holmes on his heels. He'll look to pass Holmes's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Holmes manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Holmes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Finlay works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Finlay decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Holmes, up you get!
Holmes lands a nice shot to the body.
Finlay fails with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from Holmes.
Finlay takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Holmes works Finlay's body with a nice hook.
Holmes scores with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holmes pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finlay darts in and clinches Holmes up against the cage.

Finlay gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Holmes is refusing to be controlled, as Finlay sits in half guard.
Finlay tries to stand and escape but Holmes is controlling the position.
Finlay stops Holmes from getting back to his feet.
Finlay sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Finlay is trying to control the action in half guard but Holmes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Holmes manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlay moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Holmes throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Holmes works Finlay's body with a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holmes throws a left and a right that both miss

and Finlay holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Finlay breaks the clinch.
Holmes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Finlay moves away.
Finlay tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Holmes throws a series of punches but Finlay moves out of range.

Finlay changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Holmes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Holmes is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Finlay asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Finlay slows the pace down.

Finlay decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Finlay throws a series of punches but Holmes avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlay dives in and grabs Holmes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Holmes pushes down on Finlay's head and hops out.
Finlay takes a jab right on the kisser.
Finlay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Finlay takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A lazy left from Holmes finds it's target.

Finlay has closed the distance and engaged Holmes in a clinch.
Holmes tries to circle away but Finlay has him pinned against the cage.
Finlay has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holmes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jack Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trace Finlay.
Finlay tries to work over Holmes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Holmes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holmes working hard to break the clinch.

Finlay manages to break the clinch.
Holmes lands a nice looking kick to the body. Finlay takes a step back to recover.
Holmes throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Finlay pushes Holmes up against the cage in a clinch.
Holmes wants to get back to striking at distance but Finlay won't allow it.

Finlay pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Finlay fails with the takedown.
Jack Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Finlay walks into a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Holmes. That's going to slow Finlay down.
Finlay will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Holmes tests Finlay's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Holmes goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Trace Finlay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Finlay looks to land a combination but Holmes avoids it well.
Holmes throws a counter high kick but Finlay was just alert enough to avoid it.

Finlay pushes Holmes up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Holmes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holmes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Holmes!
The defeated Trace Finlay had this to say: 'I'm young for this sport, I'm gonna go back to the gym and get in good shape before I get back in the cage!'.