PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Holloway (ranked 2443 p4p, 2326 weight class) and Erasmo Bezerra (ranked 299 p4p, 292 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.

Holloway
vs
Bezerra

174 cm
35
165
24 - 13 - 1

178 cm
29
164
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FUClothing

Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Max Holloway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erasmo Bezerra!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bezerra tries for a takedown but Holloway sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Holloway ducks under a wild hook from Bezerra.
A jab from Bezerra misses.
Bezerra takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Holloway misses with a low kick.
Bezerra shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holloway as he avoids it easily.
Holloway is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bezerra swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Holloway takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Holloway with a nice cross.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bezerra shoots in but no luck this time.
Max Holloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erasmo Bezerra.
Bezerra feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Holloways jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Holloway throws a shot from downtown. Bezerra moves away and avoids it.
Bezerra checks the leg kick nicely there.
Holloway misses with a leg kick.
Holloway thuds a left hand into Bezerra's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bezerra throws a looping overhand right but Holloway ducks down to avoid it.
Holloway tries to clinch but Bezerra moves out of range.
Holloway tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bezerra shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holloway defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Holloway lands a jab to Bezerra's midsection.
Holloway lands a jab to the nose.
Holloway tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holloway tries to clinch but Bezerra moves out of range.
Holloway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bezerra.
Holloway tries to clinch up.
Bezerra keeps the fight on the outside.
Bezerra lands with a right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Holloway.
Bezerra misses with a hook.
Bezerra misses with a wild body shot.
Bezerra lands with a nice body punch.
Holloway has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Nonce Hunters in the buildup to the fight.
Holloway will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bezerra keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Holloway tries to bum rush Bezerra with a series of wild strikes but Bezerra uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Max Holloway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bezerra shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holloway defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra connects with a single shot there.

Holloway pushes Bezerra up against the cage in a clinch.
Holloway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Bezerra has clasped his hands together around Holloway's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The strikes coming from Bezerra are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Holloway regains half guard, as Bezerra was trying to land strikes.
Holloway avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bezerra.

Bezerra is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bezerra trying to control from Holloway's half guard. Holloway has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway keeping moving, preventing Bezerra from controlling successfully.
Bezerra stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holloway swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bezerra trying to control the position from guard on top but Holloway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holloway is pulling down on Bezerra's head to control his posture.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bezerra missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bezerra landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bezerra cracks Holloway with a solid left hand.
Holloway working a defensive guard here.
Bezerra trying to control but Holloway is working from the bottom.
Bezerra might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Holloway haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Holloway being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bezerra misses with a takedown attempt - Holloway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Erasmo Bezerra will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bezerra scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bezerra fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Holloway avoids it really well and circles away.
Bezerra cracks a nice hook into Holloway's ribs.
Bezerra keeps the fight on the outside.
Bezerra scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Holloway tries to clinch up.
It seemed like Bezerra was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bezerra has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Holloway is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bezerra darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bezerra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A big right from Bezerra misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holloway smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Holloway moves away from the strike by Bezerra.
Holloway is looking to clinch but Bezerra is avoiding it.
Holloway scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holloway defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bezerra.
Holloway avoids the body shot from Bezerra.
Bezerra jabs at Holloway's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway misses with a low kick.
Holloway moves out of range as Bezerra strikes.
Holloway slips a jab from Bezerra.
Bezerra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holloway.
Holloway appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Holloway thuds his right hand into Bezerra's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Holloway tries to clinch but Bezerra moves out of range.
Bezerra keeps the fight on the outside.
Holloway steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bezerra.
Bezerra keeps the fight on the outside.
Holloway shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bezerra misses with a straight right.
Bezerra shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Holloway pinned against the cage. Holloway gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Max Holloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erasmo Bezerra.

Holloway moves into the clinch successfully.
Bezerra blocks an uppercut.
Bezerra tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Holloway smiles and moves away.
Holloway walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra moves out of range of the body kick.
Bezerra lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bezerra moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Holloway is rocked!
Holloway throws a series of punches but Bezerra avoids them all with ease.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches.
A body shot lands from Holloway.
Holloway gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bezerra.
Holloway tries to throw a body punch but Bezerra avoids it by throwing Holloway back against the cage.

Holloway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bezerra misses with a body shot.
Holloway looks to score with a jab to the body but Bezerra is just out of range.
Bezerra looks to land a left hand but Holloway moved out of range nicely.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bezerra swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bezerra throws the left hand but Holloway avoids the punch easily.
Holloway lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bezerra takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway wants to clinch up but Bezerra keeps it at a distance.
Holloway is looking to clinch.
Bezerra shoots in but no luck this time.
Holloway wants to slow Bezerra down by chopping away at his legs.
A telegraphed right hand from Bezerra misses the target.
Holloway uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bezerra.
Nice body punch from Holloway.

Holloway clinches with his opponent.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bezerra backwards.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike.
Holloway is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bezerra misses with a body punch.
Bezerra has Holloway pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holloway manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bezerra is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Holloway is defending well.
Bezerra is breathing heavily.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.
Bezerra tries to score a body lock takedown but Holloway shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Holloway gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway taking a breather.
Bezerra tries to score a body lock takedown but Holloway shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bezerra is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Holloway is defending well.
A nice right hand lands inside from Holloway.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A hook to the body from Holloway.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.
Holloway tries a body shot but Bezerra blocks it.
A short left from Holloway.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike.
Holloway prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holloway lands a body punch.
Holloway lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bezerra backwards.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holloway swings wildly with an uppercut but Bezerra uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holloway lands with a short shot to the head.
Holloway lands a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Holloway.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bezerra walks into a jab.
Bezerra jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bezerra swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bezerra throws out a powerful jab.
Bezerra keeps the fight on the outside.
Holloway doesn't manage to clinch there - Bezerra circles away.

Holloway clinches with his opponent.
Holloway scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bezerra has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holloway after a bit of a struggle.
Bezerra has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holloway avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holloway throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short uppercut from Holloway.
A short uppercut from Holloway.
Bezerra wants to take the fight to the mat but Holloway manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Max Holloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erasmo Bezerra.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bezerra backwards.
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!
Holloway lands a left hand.
Holloway gets through Bezerra's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Holloway throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bezerras head.
Holloway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bezerra backwards.

Bezerra is rocked!
Bezerra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike.
Bezerra is still on wobbly legs! Can Holloway finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holloway breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bezerra shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Holloway is looking to escape.

Holloway is defending against the submission attempts here by Bezerra.
Bezerra seems to have recovered his senses.
Bezerra is thwarting Holloway's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bezerra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Bezerra seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway wants to get back to his feet.
Holloway avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bezerra.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bezerra missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Bezerra is working for a kimura but Holloway is defending it quite comfortably.
Holloway is trying to control but can't.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bezerra seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holloway does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bezerra lunges at Holloway with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Holloway's hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Holloway tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bezerra connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Holloway's hands.
Bezerra misses with a takedown attempt - Holloway sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch but Bezerra swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Holloway is looking to clinch but Bezerra is avoiding it.
Bezerra swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bezerra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holloway was well out of range. Poor timing from Bezerra.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bezerra. Holloway does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holloway on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Holloway lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bezerra takes a step back to recover.
Holloway connects with a looping right hand.
Holloway lands with a straight right. Bezerra didn't see that one coming.
Holloway tests Bezerra's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Holloway.
Holloway is looking to clinch.
Holloway digs a good body shot into Bezerra's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bezerra was well out of range. Poor timing from Holloway.
Bezerra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holloway moves away.
Bezerra swats away the attempt to clinch by Holloway.
Bezerra paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bezerra on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Holloway scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Holloway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bezerra can do to turn this around?
Holloway throws a body punch but Bezerra moves out of range.
Bezerra tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bezerra dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Holloway tries to clinch up.
Holloway tries to clinch but Bezerra is having none of it.
Holloway tries to clinch but Bezerra is having none of it.

Bezerra drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Holloway sneaks out the side door and pushes Bezerra away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Good exchange - Holloway coming out on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Holloway showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Holloway has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Holloway!
Max Holloway 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.