PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Holloway (ranked 2743 p4p, 1470 weight class) and Akara Kongsangchai (ranked 350 p4p, 61 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
Kongsangchai

174 cm
36
165
25 - 14 - 1

169 cm
33
155
14 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 25 - 14 - 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 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Akara Kongsangchai!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holloway throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kongsangchai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A big left from Holloway misses.

Kongsangchai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kongsangchai lands with a light punch inside.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hook to the body lands for Kongsangchai.
Holloway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Holloway working aggressively here.
Kongsangchai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holloway has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Holloway blocks an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holloway.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Kongsangchai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holloway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kongsangchai working Holloway over with knees to the body.
Kongsangchai lands an elbow just above Holloway 's eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kongsangchai misses with some punches.
Kongsangchai misses with a knee strike.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
Holloway scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kongsangchai throws an elbow but misses.

Holloway breaks the clinch.
Kongsangchai walks into a straight right hand from Holloway.
Holloway throws a front kick that sends Kongsangchai stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holloway closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
Holloway gets through Kongsangchai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Holloway misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Holloway.
Holloway lands a body shot.
Holloway taking a breather.
Holloway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kongsangchai throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holloway.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holloway throws a punch but it's blocked by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holloway lands a right hand.
Kongsangchai has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Holloway.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai blocks an uppercut.
Kongsangchai misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Kongsangchai blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Holloway.
Holloway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway lands with a light punch inside.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
A right handed body shot lands from Holloway.
Holloway working aggressively here.
Kongsangchai misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai missing with knees to the body.
Holloway is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kongsangchai is keeping busy.
Holloway lands an uppercut.
Holloway swings wildly with an uppercut but Kongsangchai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Holloway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.
Kongsangchai looks winded!
Holloway works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holloway misses with some punches.
Holloway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
A nice left hand lands by Kongsangchai.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Holloway.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kongsangchai.
Holloway swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
Kongsangchai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.

Holloway breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Holloway has closed the distance and engaged Kongsangchai in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Holloway.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holloway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kongsangchai misses with some punches.
Holloway misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kongsangchai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kongsangchai blocking some punches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kongsangchai tries to land knees in the clinch but Holloway avoids the damage to the body.
Kongsangchai has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
Kongsangchai tries a knee to the head but Holloway blocks it.
Kongsangchai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kongsangchai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kongsangchai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Holloway throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kongsangchais head.
Kongsangchai working aggressively here.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holloway creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kongsangchai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right from Holloway.
Holloway misses with some punches.
Holloway scores with a shoulder strike.
Kongsangchai blocking some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Holloway takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A jab from Holloway does it's job there.

Kongsangchai is rocked!
Holloway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kongsangchai has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Good leg kick by Holloway.
Kongsangchai tries to clinch but Holloway moves out of range.
Holloway lands with a straight right. Kongsangchai didn't see that one coming.
Kongsangchai is still on wobbly legs! Can Holloway finish him?
Kongsangchai lands a body shot.
Kongsangchai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holloway buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Holloway moves out of range of the body kick from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai seems to have recovered his senses.

Holloway rushes Kongsangchai and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.
Kongsangchai scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Holloway.
Kongsangchai lands a shoulder strike.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kongsangchai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holloway misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Holloway fails to land.
Kongsangchai lands a nice uppercut.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Kongsangchai.
Holloway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Holloway is working Kongsangchai over against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Kongsangchai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holloways head.
Holloway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kongsangchai can do to turn this around?
Kongsangchai lands with a right to the head.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway scores with a shot to the side of Kongsangchai's head.
Holloway lands with a short shot to the head.
Kongsangchai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holloway makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway misses with some punches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Holloway.
Holloway presses Kongsangchai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holloway blocks an uppercut.
Holloway lands a body punch.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai lands an elbow inside that Holloway shrugs off.
A nice left hand lands by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Holloway.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
Kongsangchai throws a head punch that misses.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holloway presses Kongsangchai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kongsangchai is breathing heavily.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai throws an elbow but it misses.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Kongsangchai.
Holloway lands an uppercut.
Kongsangchai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kongsangchai lands with a left to the head.
Kongsangchai blocking some punches.
Holloway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kongsangchais head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai lands a body punch in the clinch.
Holloway lands a right hand.
Holloway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holloway swings wildly with an uppercut but Kongsangchai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kongsangchai throws a head punch that misses.
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.
Max Holloway has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A shot in the inside from Kongsangchai.
Holloway can't find room to land a body shot as Kongsangchai controls the action.
Kongsangchai presses Holloway against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Holloway scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holloway.

Holloway breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kongsangchai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kongsangchai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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!

Kongsangchai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Holloway misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Kongsangchai.
A short right from Kongsangchai on the inside.
Holloway scores with a shot to the side of Kongsangchai's head.
A short left from Kongsangchai.
Holloway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai blocks an uppercut.
Kongsangchai misses with some punches.
Kongsangchai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kongsangchai's elbow.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Kongsangchai.
Holloway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kongsangchai controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Holloway fails to land.
Holloway lands a left hand.
Holloway works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holloway working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kongsangchai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Holloway is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kongsangchai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kongsangchai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Max Holloway will probably get the nod.
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!

Kongsangchai 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 is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!

Kongsangchai tries to keep at a distance but Holloway has taken the fight into the clinch.
Oh Holloway is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kongsangchai putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Holloway in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holloway is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Holloway tries to throw a body punch but Kongsangchai avoids it by throwing Holloway back against the cage.
Holloway is working Kongsangchai over against the cage.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kongsangchai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Holloway backwards.
Kongsangchai tries to land a knee to the head but Holloway blocks with his arms.

Holloway manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Holloway.
Holloway throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kongsangchai.
Holloway seems to have got his legs back now.
Holloway fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kongsangchai gets tackled into the cage by Holloway. Holloway maintains the clinch.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holloway tries to work over Kongsangchai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Kongsangchai.
Holloway prevents a body shot from Kongsangchai.
Holloway swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway gets through Kongsangchai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kongsangchai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Holloway fails to land.
Holloway blocks the elbow strike.
Holloway misses with a body punch.
Holloway prevents a body shot from Kongsangchai.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kongsangchai.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kongsangchai scores a nice knee to the body.
Kongsangchai blocks an uppercut.
Holloway tries a body shot but Kongsangchai blocks it.
Kongsangchai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Holloway backwards.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kongsangchai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.

Holloway breaks the clinch.
Nice shot by Holloway.
Kongsangchai misses with an uppercut. Holloway saw that one coming.
Holloway looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway swats away the attempt to clinch by Kongsangchai.

Kongsangchai moves into the clinch successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kongsangchai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kongsangchai with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Holloway breaks from the clinch.
A combination from Kongsangchai does no damage.
Kongsangchai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holloway ducks under a wild hook from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai doesn't manage to clinch there - Holloway circles away.
Holloway thumps Kongsangchai with a low kick.
Kongsangchai is looking to land body kicks.
Holloway lands a jab.
Kongsangchai wants to clinch up but Holloway keeps it at a distance.

Holloway moves into the clinch successfully.
Holloway lands a right hand.
Holloway throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kongsangchais head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holloway.
Kongsangchai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holloway tries to throw a body punch but Kongsangchai avoids it by throwing Holloway back against the cage.
Holloway blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holloway scores with a shot to the side of Kongsangchai's head.
A short right from Kongsangchai on the inside.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holloway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway lands a nice uppercut.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holloway tries to throw a body punch but Kongsangchai avoids it by throwing Holloway back against the cage.
Kongsangchai has a couple of punches blocked by Holloway.
Kongsangchai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holloway gets through Kongsangchai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Holloway blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Holloway.
Kongsangchai misses with some punches.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holloway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holloway trying to control the position but instead, Kongsangchai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holloway into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holloway.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with an uppercut but Holloway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holloway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Holloway pushes Kongsangchai back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kongsangchai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akara Kongsangchai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Holloway breaks the clinch.
Holloway swings for the body but Kongsangchai moves out of range.
Holloway cracks Kongsangchai with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Kongsangchai tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Holloway pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Kongsangchai is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Max Holloway!
Max Holloway bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.