PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Soplaks Torero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Holt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Holt's choice of entrance music: All Along the Watchtower - Bear McCreary. James Holt has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Torero
vs
Holt

175 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
152 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Soplaks Torero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Holt!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Holt shoots in and bounces Torero off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Holt wanted to stand there but Torero had control of the position.
Holt lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Holt trying to control the position from guard on top but Torero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Torero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holt.
Holt thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holt drops back, looking for a kneebar! Torero looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Torero looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Torero!
Torero looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Holt is avoiding damage well.
Holt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Holt struggling a bit here.
Holt avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Torero.
Holt pushes Torero away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Torero gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Torero throwing strikes but Holt manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Holt throws a strike aimed at the side of Torero's head but Torero avoids it well.
Torero manages to work his way to half guard, despite Holt's best efforts.
Torero is staying active underneath Holt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Holt is pressing down on Torero's thigh, looking to free his foot. Torero is holding on for now.

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.
Holt is thwarting Torero's attempts to control the position.
Holt is trying to control. Torero wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Torero wants to get back to his feet.
Holt trying to mount his opponent but Torero defends it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Torero missing with a left hand there. Holt was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Holt pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holt feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Holt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Torero is keeping the position for now.
Holt is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Holt stands and throws Torero's legs to the side, diving into side control.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Holt thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Holt looks gassed!
Holt misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torero tries to improve position but can't.
Holt trying to control the position but Torero is working away.
Holt passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Torero!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holt thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Holt dominated that 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.

Torero throws a sloppy head kick and Holt moves out of range easily.
Torero misses with a head kick.
Holt moves in looking to clinch but Torero pushes him off.
Torero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holt blocks a head kick by Torero.
Torero lands a high kick!

Holt closes the distance and pushes Torero back into the cage.
Holt is pressed up against the cage. Torero has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holt down to the mat. Holt avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Torero defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holt.
Holt fails with the takedown.
Torero misses with a takedown attempt

and Holt counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Holt.

Holt gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Holt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Holt decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
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!
Holt passes to full mount!
Holt lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt moves to the back position.

Holt patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Holt working for a choke but Torero is defending well.

Holt looking to break Torero's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Torero remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Holt will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holt working for a choke but Torero is defending well.
Torero rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
James Holt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Torero is trying to maintain the position but Holt is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torero taking some punishment here, with Holt in his half guard.
Torero is looking for a sweep. Holt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Holt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Holt is trying to work for a kimura but Torero is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Holt is thwarting Torero's attempts to control the position.
Holt looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Holt seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Holt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Torero as Holt shoots in.
Torero throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Holt's head.

It looks like James Holt has been cut.
Soplaks Torero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Torero scores with a sloppy right hand. Holt should have avoided that one.
A thudding body kick lands there by Torero!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Torero tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holt swivels and escapes.
Torero scores with a head kick.
Torero throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Torero throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Torero throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Torero scores with a hook.
Torero misses with a head kick.
Holt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Torero throws a head kick that misses.
Soplaks Torero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Torero throws a head kick that misses.

Holt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Torero napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Torero prevents Holt from improving position.

Holt is working to tighten is grip on Torero's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Torero has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Holt is really squeezing tight and eventually Torero passes out! Holt breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). James Holt!