PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabinho Tavares (ranked 5351 p4p, 6529 weight class) and Jack Holmes (ranked 489 p4p, 546 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tavares
vs
Holmes

188 cm
23
222
6 - 7 - 0

191 cm
26
230
7 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

EL ZOIDO FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabinho Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes looks to land a combination but Tavares avoids it well.
Tavares pivots, looking for a leg kick but Holmes is out of range and Tavares settles back down.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Holmes saw it coming and moves away.
Holmes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tavares thumps Holmes with a low kick.
Holmes throws the kick towards the body but Tavares avoids it.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Holmes listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tavares throws a head kick that half lands.
A shot to the liver by Holmes. Beautiful body shot.
Holmes misses with a hook. Tavares ducked under it nicely.
Tavares fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Holmes is out of range.
Holmes scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holmes checks a leg kick nicely.
Tavares is looking to score with low kicks.
Tavares throws a head kick but Holmes moves out of range.
Tavares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Holmes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Holmes saw it coming and moves away.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Holmes looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Holmes connects with a right hand. Tavares shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares pivots, looking for a leg kick but Holmes is out of range and Tavares settles back down.
Good exchange - Holmes coming out on top.
Tavares throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Holmes misses with a two punch combination.
A good leg kick by Tavares.
Tavares takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Holmes looks to land a right hand but Tavares moved out of range.
Holmes misses the shot to the body.
Holmes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
Holmes throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Tavares counters with a nice leg kick.
Tavares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Holmes.
Holmes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tavares connects with an inside leg kick.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Holmes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tavares.
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!
Holmes misses with an uppercut.
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Holmes looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Holmes scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Holmes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Holmes checks a low kick from Tavares.
Holmes throws a big counter head kick but Tavares avoids it with no problem.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Holmes is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tavares rather than just go for the knockout.
Holmes throws a sloppy head kick and Tavares moves out of range easily.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tavares 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.
Tavares attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Holmes throws a head kick but Tavares moves out of range.
Holmes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Holmes looks to move away, Tavares throws a big counter combo but Holmes just gets out of the way.
Holmes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Holmes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares fails with a takedown attempt.
Holmes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tavares connects with a solid leg kick.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Holmes moves out of range easily.
Tavares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Holmes is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a head kick but Holmes moves out of range.
Tavares tries to work over Holmes's front leg with a kick but Holmes checks it.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Holmes looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Holmes throws a body shot but no joy.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tavares. That's going to slow Holmes down.
Holmes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Holmes swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Tavares.
A looping hook to the body misses from Holmes. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holmes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holmes takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Tavares throws a quick counter kick to the body but Holmes avoids it.
Tavares tries to score with a low kick but Holmes moves his leg out of the way.
Tavares takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Holmes misses with a low kick.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holmes throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Holmes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes throws a nice looking combination but Tavares bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tavares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Holmes.
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!
Holmes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tavares counters with a leg kick.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Holmes moves out of range easily.
Holmes throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Holmes throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tavares throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tavares lands a head kick. Holmes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Holmes throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Holmes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holmes fails to land with a series of punches.
Tavares is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Tavares avoids the body shot from Holmes.
Holmes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Tavares throws a low kick but Holmes moves out of range easily.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Holmes.
Holmes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tavares.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fabinho Tavares will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Holmes lands with a kick to the temple. Tavares shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tavares connects with a leg kick.
Holmes misses with a series of wild punches.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Holmes on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Tavares moves out of range of the strikes.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Holmes off balance momentarily.
Holmes misses with a body shot

and Tavares counters with a head kick that drops Holmes - he's looking to finish, following his stunned foe to the ground!

Holmes is rocked!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tavares is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Holmes is still in real trouble! Can Tavares finish him?
Holmes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tavares.
Holmes is trying to stand up here but Tavares is controlling him well.
Tavares looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Tavares is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Holmes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tavares.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tavares is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Holmes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tavares.
Tavares prevents Holmes from standing back up.
Holmes seems to have recovered his senses.
Tavares working Holmes over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Holmes's head.
Tavares is taking a breather. Holmes says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Tavares looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Holmes is trying to stand back up but Tavares is controlling him
Tavares is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Holmes!
Holmes is trying to stand up.
Tavares looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is trying to stand.
Tavares throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Tavares unloading with bombs!
Tavares landing strikes, looking to finish!
Holmes wants to get back to his feet.
Tavares cracks Holmes with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Holmes has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.

Tavares looking for the RNC.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tavares working for the choke.
Holmes is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Tavares has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Holmes has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Fabinho Tavares overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but Tavares has full control of the position and if anything, Holmes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Tavares's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Tavares is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but Tavares has full control of the position and if anything, Holmes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tavares misses with an elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes trying to get back to his feet but Tavares is in full control for now.

Tavares working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Holmes is trying to get back to his feet but Tavares has full control of the position and if anything, Holmes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tavares lands strikes to the head.
Holmes trying to get back to his feet but Tavares is in full control for now.

Tavares looking to break Holmes's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Holmes remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tavares will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Tavares missing with strikes from the back.

Tavares patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fabinho Tavares dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Holmes misses with a hook. Tavares ducked under it nicely.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Holmes throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Holmes misses the body punch
and Tavares counters with an outside leg kick.
Tavares slips under a jab from Holmes.
Tavares takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Holmes tries to bum rush Tavares with a series of wild strikes but Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavares throws a head kick but Holmes moves out of range.
Tavares with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holmes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holmes throws a series of punches but Tavares moves out of range.
Jack Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmes scores with a three punch combo!
Holmes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares throws a head kick but Holmes moves out of range.
Holmes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Holmes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holmes lands a jab to the nose.
Holmes blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes tests Tavares's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tavares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holmes can do to turn this around?
Tavares checks the leg kick.
Tavares walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Holmes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Holmes throws a right hand that Tavares ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavares also avoids with ease.
Tavares throws a quick counter head kick but Holmes was just out of range.
Holmes misses with a hook.
Tavares on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Holmes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tavares throws a good cross that connects.
Both fighters circling a little - Holmes finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Holmes. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavares thumps Holmes with a low kick.
Holmes loads up on a big right hand but Tavares slips the punch.
Tavares moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tavares lands a jab to Holmes's midsection.
Holmes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tavares.
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!
Tavares lands a nice looking body shot.
Tavares throws a head kick that half lands.
Fabinho Tavares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a leg kick which misses Holmes's front leg but catches the back leg as Holmes tries to avoid it.
Tavares scores with a head kick.
Tavares lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tavares finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tavares throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Holmes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tavares.
Jack Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Holmes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Holmes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tavares checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tavares fires out a quick counter leg kick but Holmes just manages to avoid it.
Holmes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Holmes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tavares - the referee stops the clock and Holmes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tavares. Holmes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Crunch! Tavares slams his shin into Holmes's torso.
Holmes throws a chopping leg kick but Tavares manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tavares throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Holmes. Those never looked like landing.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holmes misses with a left hand
and Tavares counters with a thumping low kick.
Tavares scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
An inside leg kick lands from Tavares.
Tavares ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tavares buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Holmes lands a right hook to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tavares - that will leave a mark!
Holmes throws a series of punches but Tavares avoids them all with ease.
Tavares moves out of range as Holmes strikes.
Holmes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tavares tries to bum rush Holmes with a series of wild strikes but Holmes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavares avoids the body shot from Holmes.
Tavares fires out a quick counter leg kick but Holmes just manages to avoid it.
Tavares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Holmes.
Holmes throws an overhand right that lands on Tavares's shoulder, as Tavares tries to avoid the shot.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Tavares throws a counter high kick but Holmes was just alert enough to avoid it.
Jack Holmes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tavares.
Holmes throws an overhand right that lands on Tavares's shoulder, as Tavares tries to avoid the shot.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Holmes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holmes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Holmes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tavares - the referee stops the clock and Holmes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tavares. Holmes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Holmes has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tavares.
Tavares dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Holmes. That did some damage!
Holmes throws a head kick that misses.
Holmes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tavares.
Tavares plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tavares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tavares checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
As Holmes backs away, Tavares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Holmes looks for the body kick but Tavares saw that one coming.
Holmes throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
A low kick lands for Tavares.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares feints and then cracks Holmes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Holmes down.
Tavares scores with a head kick.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Jack Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tavares circles away quickly and effectively.
Holmes just misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares half committed to a counter leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabinho Tavares showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tavares has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabinho Tavares!
Fabinho Tavares was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.