PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lennox Holiday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Ghandi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lennox Holiday has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Holiday
vs
Ghandi

175 cm
22
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

South Side Swagger

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lennox Holiday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Ghandi!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holiday throws a jab but it's blocked by Ghandi.
The fighters circling - Holiday throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Holiday misses the jab.
Holiday lands the left hand.

Ghandi instigates a clinch.

Ghandi decides to pull guard.
Holiday wants to pass the guard but Ghandi is keeping the position.
Ghandi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Holiday!
Holiday keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ghandi fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Holiday is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holiday tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ghandi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Holiday is trying to reverse the position but instead Ghandi has taken his back - oops!

Holiday defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Ghandi's arms.
Holiday tries to escape the position.
Holiday is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Holiday can't escape the position.

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.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Ghandi is trying to control but Holiday is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Holiday is wriggling around trying to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holiday tries to control the position but Ghandi now has his back.
Holiday is really stuck here.
Ghandi is looking to control Holiday but Holiday is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Holiday tries to escape the position.
Ghandi is looking to control Holiday but Holiday is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holiday just trying to survive but Ghandi is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Holiday is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Ghandi trying to control.
Ghandi looks gassed!
Ghandi keeps control of the position easily here as Holiday tries to buck him off.
Holiday trying to control the action but Ghandi just sinks the hooks in.
Ghandi is looking to control Holiday but Holiday is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Holiday tries to roll but Ghandi sticks to his back.
Ghandi trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Holiday doesn't escape.
Holiday breaks Ghandi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Holiday trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ghandi's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ghandi slips a jab and a cross from Holiday.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghandi shoots in for a double leg but Holiday sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ghandi.
Holiday throws a lazy right hand but Ghandi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ghandi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ghandi staying out of range there.
Holiday misses with a hook.
Ghandi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Holiday throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ghandi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Holiday pinned against the cage. Holiday gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ghandi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holiday but Holiday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ghandi ducks under a wild hook from Holiday.
Lennox Holiday is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghandi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holiday.
Ghandi is breathing heavily.
Holiday moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Ghandi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghandi trying to control but Holiday is working from the bottom.

Holiday escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ghandi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ghandi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Holiday wants to sweep here but Ghandi controlling him for the moment.
Ghandi stops Holiday from standing up.
Holiday being controlled here, momentarily.
Holiday keeping moving, preventing Ghandi from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Holiday tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Holiday working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ghandi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ghandi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Holiday escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ghandi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ghandi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holiday is trying to keep Ghandi in close.

Holiday has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ghandi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Holiday wants to stand but Ghandi is controlling the position.

Holiday has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ghandi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Holiday looking for a sweep. Not yet Holiday, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Holiday throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Holiday keeping moving, preventing Ghandi from controlling successfully.

Ghandi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holiday is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Holiday is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Holiday looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lennox Holiday dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Holiday misses the jab.
A combination from Holiday does no damage.
A lazy left from Holiday finds it's target.
Holiday throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holiday misses with a wild body shot.
Holiday swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Holiday waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Ghandi.

Ghandi scores a takedown into full mount!

Ghandi moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Holiday has worked his arm free - good work by Holiday!

Ghandi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Holiday, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holiday is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ghandi wants to control but Holiday is keeping him busy.
Ghandi slows the pace down.

Ghandi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ghandi landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A lull in the action here.
Holiday looking for a sweep but Ghandi has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Ghandi trying to control but Holiday is having none of it.
Ghandi controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Matt Ghandi just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ghandi shoots in for a takedown but Holiday shows good takedown defense.
Lennox Holiday seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ghandi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ghandi avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ghandi scores a takedown into full mount!
Ghandi prevents Holiday from getting the reversal.
Ghandi looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holiday regains half guard.
Ghandi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ghandi trying to pass the guard but Holiday defending well.
Ghandi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Holiday is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Ghandi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ghandi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Ghandi!