PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Holcombe (ranked 4106 p4p, 24862 weight class) and Dylan Batt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Holcombe
vs
Batt

172 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
27
158
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesse Holcombe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dylan Batt!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holcombe throws a right and a left that Batt avoids nicely.
Batt is looking for the big counter here.
Batt throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Holcombe throws a body punch but Batt moves out of range.
Holcombe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Batt pinned against the cage. Batt gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Holcombe misses with a two punch combination.
Batt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Batt wants it to stay on the feet.

Batt changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Holcombe looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Holcombe sneaks out the side door and pushes Batt away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batt goes for a double leg but Holcombe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Holcombe continues to drive forward.
Batt plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good work by Batt as he checks the leg kick.
Batt lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holcombe at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holcombe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Batt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Holcombe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holcombe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Batt's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Batt tries to stand and escape but Holcombe is controlling the position.
Batt is taking a breather. Holcombe 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.
Batt drops an elbow to the side of Holcombe's head.
Batt winds up and cracks Holcombe with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Batt is trying to control. Holcombe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holcombe knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Batt on the ground.
Batt is thwarting Holcombe's attempts to control the position.
It looks like Batt is going to stand back up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Batt content to control rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Batt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Batt shoots in looking for a takedown. Holcombe tries to sprawl out of it but Batt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holcombe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holcombe fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Holcombe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holcombe defends it nicely.

Holcombe has closed the distance and engaged Batt in a clinch.
Batt goes for a takedown attempt but Holcombe pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Batt lands a head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holcombe moves to clinch but Batt breaks away
and Batt counters with a stiff right hand.
Holcombe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Batt defends it nicely.
Batt wants to counter the offense by Holcombe and move into the clinch position.

Holcombe closes the distance and clinches.
Holcombe dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Batt tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Batt fails to pull guard.
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 Jesse Holcombe will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Batt.
Holcombe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Batt sprawls well. Batt wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Holcombe gets slowly back to his feet.
Batt avoids the head kick by Holcombe.
Holcombe looks to land a combination but Batt avoids it well.
Batt changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Batt tries to clinch there but Holcombe circles away.
Batt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holcombe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Batt's waist but Batt gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holcombe off to one side.
Batt is looking to clinch but Holcombe is avoiding it.
Holcombe darts in looking for a takedown but Batt gets double underhooks and turns Holcombe into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Holcombe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batt tries to score a body lock takedown but Holcombe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Holcombe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holcombe shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holcombe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Batt swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Batt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Batt shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Holcombe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Batt wanted to stand there but Holcombe had control of the position.
Batt is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dylan Batt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Batt trying to control but Holcombe is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batt is pushing down on Holcombe's leg trying to pass to half guard. Holcombe is fighting to maintain full guard but Batt has managed to sneak the leg through.
Batt works his way into side control.
Batt taking a breather here.
Holcombe is trying to control Batt's posture but Batt avoids it.

Batt working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holcombe is not content to let Batt control the position.
Batt is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

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.
You can see the frustration on Holcombe's face as Batt controls the position.
Holcombe pushes Batt away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Batt gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Batt is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Holcombe's shoulder. That is not cool.

Batt is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holcombe has escaped the position, nice work there.

Batt tries for a kimura but Holcombe is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holcombe prevents Batt from moving into mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan Batt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Batt shoots in looking for a takedown but Holcombe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Batt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Batt fails with the takedown.
Holcombe closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Holcombe has Batt up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Holcombe rushes Batt and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holcombe breaks from the clinch.

Batt manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Holcombe on his heels. He'll look to pass Holcombe's guard now, I'm sure.
Batt wants to pass the guard but Holcombe is keeping the position.
Batt throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Holcombe keeping moving, preventing Batt from controlling successfully.
Batt content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Holcombe trying to control the position.
Holcombe has his hands on Batt's head, controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Holcombe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Batt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.
Batt shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holcombe as he avoids it easily.
Jesse Holcombe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dylan Batt.

Batt closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Batt lands in his opponent's guard.

Holcombe pushes Batt off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jesse Holcombe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice uppercut lands for Batt. That snapped Holcombe's head back.
Batt uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Holcombe has time to react.
Sloppy strikes from Batt. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batt tries to clinch but Holcombe is having none of it.
Batt tries to clinch but Holcombe moves out of range.
Holcombe dives in for a single leg takedown but Batt sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Batt with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Holcombe breaks the clinch.
Holcombe moves to clinch but Batt breaks away
and Batt counters with a series of strikes. Holcombe will be more careful next time no doubt.
Holcombe stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Batt is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Holcombe's half guard.

Holcombe manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batt throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Batt shoots for a double leg takedown but Holcombe sprawls well. He's pushed Batt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Holcombe tries to clinch up but Batt circles away and keeps his distance.
Batt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holcombe defends it nicely.
Holcombe tries to counter by clinching up but Batt breaks away and moves out of range.

Batt fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Holcombe sprawls well initially but Batt persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Holcombe has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Batt is on him like a limpet, forcing Holcombe back against the cage.

Holcombe breaks the clinch.
Holcombe avoids the head kick by Batt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jesse Holcombe.
I think Holcombe 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dylan Batt!