PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Clark (ranked 2994 p4p, 2981 weight class) and Sam Holt (ranked 202 p4p, 201 weight class). Matthew Clark has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Clark
vs
Holt

176 cm
27
145
6 - 2 - 0

165 cm
26
135
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Sakura Style

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matthew Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sam Holt!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clark just misses with a punch to the body.
Holt swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Clark looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Holt ducks under a wild hook from Clark.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Holt has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Clark takes a swing at Holt's ribcage but misses.
Clark misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holt.
Clark throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab by Clark.
Clark scores with a decent looking hook.
Holt throws a right and a left that both miss.
A quick step to the side and Clark tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clark misses with a double jab.
Holt is looking for the big counter here.
Holt fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Clark on the side of the head.
Clark misses with a right hand
and Holt counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Clark lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matthew Clark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clark misses with a body shot.
Clark tries to bum rush Holt with a series of wild strikes but Holt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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 Holt.
Clark slips under a jab from Holt.
An attempted straight right counter from Clark misses the target.
Clark swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Clark thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holt is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Holt throws a series of punches but Clark avoids them all with ease.
Clark thuds a left hand into Holt's body.
Clark scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Clark slips a jab from Holt.
Clark lands with a nice body punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clark. Holt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holt rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Clark counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Clark fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Holt on the side of the head.
Holt slips under a jab from Clark.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Holt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Clark misses with a wild body shot.
Clark 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.
Clark is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Clark lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clark looks to score with a jab to the body but Holt is just out of range.
Holt fails to land with a series of punches.
Clark scores with a sloppy right hand. Holt should have avoided that one.
Clark closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Clark is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Holt scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Clark uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Holt.
A jab from Holt misses.
Nice body punch from Clark.
Holt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Clark.
Clark is looking to wear down Holt with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Holt throws a hook but Clark blocks it.
Holt moves out of range as Clark strikes.
Clark connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Holt takes a swing at Clark's ribcage but misses.
Clark is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Clark misses with a straight left.
Clark steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Holt.
Holt moves out of range of the strikes.
Holt swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Holt.
A big left from Holt misses.
Holt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holt might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nice defenses there by Holt.
Holt throws out a counter right but Clark avoids it with no problem.
Holt swings for the body but Clark moves out of range.
Holt on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Clark lands a head shot.
Clark fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Holt avoids the body shot from Clark.
Clark misses with a hook.
Clark throws a jab when Holt was well out of range.
Holt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Holt misses with a double jab.
Clark throws a body shot but no joy.
Holt's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Holt duly obliges.
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!
Nice uppercut lands for Clark. That snapped Holt's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clark avoids the body shot from Holt.
Holt misses with a wild combination.
Clark avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holt throws a body punch but Clark moves out of range.
No joy there for Holt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Clark connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Holt's hands.
Decent striking displayed by Clark there.
Holt throws a hook but Clark avoids it easily.
Clark fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Clark misses with a looping left.
Clark lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Holt throws a right hand that Clark ducks under and follows up with a left that Clark also avoids with ease.
Clark throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Clark connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Clark dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice shot by Clark.
Clark displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holt throws out the jab.
Clark bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Holt's head.
Clark is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holt can do to turn this around?
Clark scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Holt doesn't seem bothered though.
Holt throws a lazy right hand but Clark sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Holt cracks Clark with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Clark looks to land a left hand but Holt moved out of range nicely.
Clark throws a jab when Holt was well out of range.
Holt tries to bum rush Clark with a series of wild strikes but Clark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Holt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Matthew Clark is winning the standup battle so far.
Holt cracks Clark with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Holt tries to bum rush Clark with a series of wild strikes but Clark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Holt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clark was well out of range. Poor timing from Holt.
Clark's jab looks to have found its range, popping Holt under the eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clark jabs Holt to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Holt in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Holt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Clark circles away quickly and effectively.
Holt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Clark.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt looks to land a combination but Clark avoids it well.
Clark dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Clark lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Clark takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Clark misses with a body shot.
Clark misses the shot to the body.
Clark connects with a single shot there.
The fighters circling - Clark throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Holt misses with a hook.
Clark smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Holt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Clark.
Clark misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holt.
Clark looks to score with a jab to the body but Holt is just out of range.
Holt on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Holt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clark lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clark loads up on a big right hand but Holt slips the punch.
Holt throws out a counter right but Clark avoids it with no problem.
Clark looks to score with a jab to the body but Holt is just out of range.
Holt throws a lazy uppercut
and Clark counters with a nice body shot.
Holt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Holt gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A punch combination from Holt misses.
Holt misses with a right hand
enabling Clark to counter with a crisp jab.
Sam Holt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holt misses with a series of wild punches.
Clark was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Holt has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Clark throws a body punch but Holt moves out of range.
Holt slips a straight right by Clark.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Holt! But no joy.
A big left from Clark misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Clark.
Holt thuds a left hand into Clark's body.
A big left from Clark misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark throws out a loose jab but Holt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clark fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Holt takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Clark misses with an uppercut.
Clark misses with a wild body shot.
Holt is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Clark throws a nice looking combination but Holt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Clark tries to move into range but Holt moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Clark throws a nice looking combination but Holt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holt takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Clark moves away from the strike by Holt.
Clark throws a hook to the side of Holt's head but Holt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holt throws an overhand right that lands on Clark's shoulder, as Clark tries to avoid the shot.
Clark was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Holt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Clark.
A telegraphed right hand from Clark misses the target.
Holt is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nice cross by Clark.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Clark throws a lazy right hand but Holt sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holt walks into a straight right hand from Clark.
Holt just misses with a punch to the body.
Holt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Holt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Holt darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab from Clark misses.
Nice shot lands for Clark.
Clark ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holt moves away.
It seemed like Holt was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Clark throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holt lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Clark at a distance.
Holt misses with a looping left.
Clark on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Clark dips to his left and cracks Holt with an uppercut!
Holt lands with a shot to the body.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Holt might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Clark has got the better of the exchanges.
Clark throws a jab when Holt was well out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Clark dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A combination from Holt does no damage.
Holt lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Clark throws a body shot but no joy.
Holt throws a series of punches but Clark moves out of range.
Clark throws a body punch but Holt moves out of range.
Holt lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Clark lands with a hook. Holt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Clark avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holt misses with a double jab.
Clark is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Holt throws a nice looking combination but Clark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Clark misses with a hook. Holt ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Clark.
Clark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holt manages to avoid it.
Holt is looking for the big counter here.
Holt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clark was well out of range. Poor timing from Holt.
Clark throws a body shot but no joy.
Clark just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Holt! But no joy.
Holt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Clark moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt scores with a nice right hand.
Holt takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Clark bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Holt's head backwards.
Clark throws a body shot but no joy.
Clark thows a left - swing and a miss!
Clark lands a jab to Holt's midsection.
Clark connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Clark loads up on a big right hand but Holt slips the punch.
Clark scores with a jab. Holt acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Clark misses the shot to the body.
Clark wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Holt misses with a hook.
Clark lands with a cross.
Clark fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Holt. Clark does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt just misses with a punch to the body.
Holt throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Clark counter with a right hand.
A punch combination from Holt misses.
A big left from Clark misses.
Holt throws out a counter right but Clark avoids it with no problem.
Holt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Clark finds it's way round the side to connect with Holt's head.
Holt uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Clark.
Clark jabs Holt to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Clark lands a nice shot to the body.
Holt comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Clark sizes up Holt with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Clark misses the jab.
Clark looks to land a left hand but Holt moved out of range nicely.
Clark misses with a right hand
and Holt counters with a stiff right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Holt there.
Clark is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Holt.
Holt misses with a body shot
and Clark counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Holt.
A big right from Clark misses.
Clark throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clark. Holt does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Clark backs off Holt throws a huge counter combo but Clark manages to avoid it all.
Holt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Holt looks to land a left hand but Clark moved out of range nicely.
Holt throws a jab when Clark was well out of range.
Clark darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Clark shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Holt eats them both and turns towards Clark to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Clark cracks a nice hook into Holt's ribs.
Clark ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holt moves away.
Holt throws a body punch but Clark moves out of range.
Holt avoids the body shot from Clark.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holt takes one to the side of the head.
Clark throws a sloppy body shot
and Holt counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sam Holt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt misses with a double jab.
Holt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Clark throws a lazy uppercut
and Holt cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Clark throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Holt counters with a left and a right that stings Clark.
Clark fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Holt on the side of the head.
Holt on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Holt throws out a loose jab but Clark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clark cracks Holt with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Holt misses with a shot to the body
and Clark counters with a straight right hand.
Clark lands with an uppercut that bounces Holt off the cage and back into range.
Clark fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Holt looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Clark staying out of range there.
A quick step to the side and Clark tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holt lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Clark is rocked!
Clark moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Oh Clark is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice body punch from Clark.
Clark slips under a jab from Holt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Holt. Clark does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew Clark showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Clark 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Clark!