PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ala Potku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Holliday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Potku kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Pantera - Drag the Waters. Ala Potku could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Holliday's chin.

Potku
vs
Holliday

187 cm
26
193 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

183 cm
25
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™
FinnFighters Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ala Potku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Holliday!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Potku avoids the body shot from Holliday.
Potku tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holliday sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Potku somewhat.
Holliday scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Potku misses with a double jab.
Potku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Holliday.
Potku swinging wildly here.
Potku avoids the body shot from Holliday.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potku takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Potku shoots in for a takedown but Holliday shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Potku moved out of range.
Holliday takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potku takes a jab right on the kisser.
Holliday dodges the punch combination from Potku.
Holliday thuds his right hand into Potku's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Potku is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holliday sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ala Potku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Potku slips a straight right by Holliday.
Potku shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holliday but Holliday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Potku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holliday swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holliday throws a lazy right hand but Potku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Potku looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holliday misses with a wild body shot.
Holliday lands a jab.
Potku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Holliday tries to avoid it but Potku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Holliday to the ground. Holliday escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Potku shoots in for a double leg but Holliday sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holliday swings and misses with a hook to the body.
John Holliday is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Potku shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Potku misses with a series of wild punches.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.
Potku slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Holliday misses the shot to the body.
Potku shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holliday sprawls well. Holliday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Potku gets slowly back to his feet.
Potku's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Potku duly obliges.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Potku.
Potku misses with a takedown attempt - Holliday sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Potku dives in and grabs Holliday's left leg, looking for a takedown. Holliday pushes down on Potku's head and hops out.
Potku staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holliday throws a series of punches but Potku avoids them all with ease.
Potku shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holliday but Holliday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Holliday lands the left hand.
Holliday stuffs the takedown.
Potku misses with a double jab
and Holliday counters with a nice uppercut.
Holliday displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Potku.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Potku is defended easily by Holliday.
A combination from Potku does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Potku takes one to the chin there.
Nice takedown defense from Holliday. No joy for Potku on that attempt.

Holliday gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Potku to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Potku throws and elbow that misses. Holliday uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Potku's guard. Nice move by Holliday!
Potku keeping moving, preventing Holliday from controlling successfully.
Potku looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Holliday puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Potku is looking to improve his position.
Potku flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Holliday trying to control from half guard but Potku is working away.
Holliday performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Potku looking for submissions off his back.
Holliday is pressing down on Potku's thigh, looking to free his foot. Potku is holding on for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Potku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Potku ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holliday moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Potku.
Potku fails with the takedown
and Holliday counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ala Potku. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Potku takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Ala Potku has been cut.
Potku swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Holliday counters with a right hand to the body.
Holliday takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Potku fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Holliday misses with a hook. Potku ducked under it nicely.
Potku dives in and grabs Holliday's left leg, looking for a takedown. Holliday pushes down on Potku's head and hops out.
A slow jab from Holliday misses its intended target.
Holliday tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Potku was well out of range. Poor timing from Holliday.
Potku fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
John Holliday seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Potku with a lazy takedown attempt
and Holliday counters with a nice uppercut.
Decent striking displayed by Holliday there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday swinging wildly here.
Potku swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Potku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Potku closes the distance and clinches up with Holliday, looking for a takedown. Potku pushes Holliday against the cage but Holliday circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Potku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Potku misses with a few strikes there.
Holliday misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Potku.
Holliday throws a lazy right hand but Potku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Holliday lands with a nice body punch.
Potku tries for a takedown but Holliday circles away easily
and Holliday counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holliday misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potku misses with a takedown attempt
and Holliday counters with a nice body shot.
Holliday misses with a body shot

and Potku counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Potku drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Holliday dives on top into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holliday is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Potku looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Potku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Potku wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Holliday showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ala Potku's cut.
That's time! Potku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Potku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Holliday scores with a one two! Potku had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Holliday keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Potku throws a series of punches but Holliday moves out of range.
Holliday connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Potku closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Potku throws an elbow but Holliday slips to the side and avoids it well.
Potku looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Holliday is avoiding damage well.
Potku throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Holliday is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Potku is controlling him well.
Potku throwing strikes but Holliday manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Potku manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potku looks to land a strike but Holliday avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Potku throwing strikes but missing.
Holliday utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Potku postures up in Holliday's guard and throws a big left but Holliday blocks it.
Potku won't allow Holliday to sweep him here.
Holliday is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Holliday takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Potku looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Potku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holliday is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Potku wants to improve his position but Holliday is controlling well.
Holliday looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Potku has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Potku makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Potku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holliday stopping the sweep attempt from Potku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holliday got a little sloppy there for a moment and Potku has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holliday has managed to get both his arms back between Potku's legs - danger averted.
Holliday is pushing down on Potku's leg trying to pass to half guard. Potku is fighting to maintain full guard but Holliday has managed to sneak the leg through.

Potku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holliday tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Potku.
John Holliday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Potku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Potku tries to get to full guard but Holliday has control of the leg.
Holliday perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Potku is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Holliday pulls his head out easily.
Holliday works his way into side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ala Potku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Potku is looking for a sweep.
Potku throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Potku sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Holliday comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holliday winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Holliday!