PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evander Holifield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and TIAGO VALERIO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). TIAGO VALERIO has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Holifield
vs
VALERIO

195 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
19
270 lbs
0 - 12 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Evander Holifield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, TIAGO VALERIO!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of VALERIO 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The fight stays on the outside here - VALERIO looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
An inside leg kick from Holifield misses.
Holifield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but VALERIO moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
VALERIO walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
VALERIO tries to clinch up but Holifield circles away and keeps his distance.
Holifield swats away the attempt to clinch by VALERIO.
TIAGO VALERIO seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holifield throws a series of punches but VALERIO avoids them all with ease.

Holifield pushes VALERIO up against the cage in a clinch.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holifield is trying to break the clinch but VALERIO has him pressed against the cage.
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Holifield jumps guard and drags VALERIO to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Holifield wants to stand up but VALERIO is controlling him.
VALERIO with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holifield working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from VALERIO.
VALERIO stops Holifield from standing up.

Holifield wriggles free and stands up.
Holifield is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
VALERIO tries to clinch
enabling Holifield to counter with a crisp jab.
VALERIO clinches but Holifield breaks the clinch
and Holifield counters with a left to the body.
Holifield circles away from the clinch attempt.
VALERIO takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
VALERIO moves in looking to clinch but Holifield pushes him off.
VALERIO defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holifield.
Holifield throws a series of punches but VALERIO moves out of range.
VALERIO looks to clinch
and Holifield counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield is having none of it.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch but Holifield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
VALERIO wants to clinch up but Holifield keeps it at a distance.
TIAGO VALERIO is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
VALERIO is looking to clinch.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield moves out of range.
Holifield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but VALERIO moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VALERIO wants to clinch.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO is looking to clinch.
Holifield misses with a wild combination.
VALERIO is looking to clinch.
VALERIO fails with an attempt to clinch.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch but Holifield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - VALERIO looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Holifield lands a two punch combo.
Holifield is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
Holifield looks for a takedown but VALERIO sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - VALERIO looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VALERIO is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Holifield.
Holifield fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evander Holifield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holifield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holifield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd cheers as Holifield lands an impressive looking overhand right. VALERIO doesn't seem phased though.
Holifield throws a series of strikes that have VALERIO backpedaling.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
Holifield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but VALERIO circles away quickly and effectively.
VALERIO is looking to clinch but Holifield is avoiding it.
Holifield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
VALERIO slips a jab and a cross from Holifield.
VALERIO closes the distance but Holifield moves to the side
and Holifield counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holifield throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Holifield circles away from the clinch attempt
and Holifield counters with a left and a right that stings VALERIO.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
VALERIO tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and VALERIO takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holifield misses with a two punch combination.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield moves away
and Holifield connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Holifield clinches up with VALERIO and pushes him back against the cage.
Holifield tries to break free but VALERIO pushes him back against the cage.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.

Holifield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holifield lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as VALERIO backs up against the cage.
Holifield works over VALERIO's head and body with a nice combination.
VALERIO closes the distance looking to clinch

and Holifield counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
VALERIO keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holifield's efforts to push away.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holifield 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.

VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holifield paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holifield looks for the body kick but VALERIO saw that one coming.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield moves away
and Holifield counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Holifield shoots for a double leg takedown but VALERIO sprawls well. He's pushed Holifield's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
VALERIO wants to clinch but Holifield slips to the side
and Holifield counters with a stiff right hand.
VALERIO tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Some wild striking there from Holifield.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holifield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO tries to clinch up.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
VALERIO is looking to clinch but Holifield is avoiding it.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
VALERIO is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
VALERIO fails in his attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A punch combination from Holifield misses.
Holifield keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - VALERIO looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Holifield keeps the fight on the outside.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch but Holifield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Holifield lands a slapping body shot.
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Holifield circles away.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield moves out of range.
Holifield looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Holifield.
Holifield lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as VALERIO backs up against the cage.
VALERIO is looking to clinch but Holifield is avoiding it.
VALERIO tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holifield paws at him with a jab and circles away.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield moves out of range.
Holifield throws a series of strikes that have VALERIO backpedaling.
Holifield lands with a nice combination. VALERIO backs away looking to recover.
VALERIO tries to clinch up.
VALERIO tries to clinch but Holifield is having none of it.
Holifield misses with a jab, cross combination.
VALERIO wants to clinch up but Holifield keeps it at a distance.
VALERIO tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

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.

Holifield pushes VALERIO up against the cage in a clinch.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO has Holifield pressed against the cage, preventing Holifield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.

Holifield jumps into guard, dragging VALERIO to the mat.
Holifield is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VALERIO working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
VALERIO throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
VALERIO throwing strikes but missing.
Holifield wants to get back to his feet but VALERIO is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Holifield uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Holifield clinches up against the cage.
Holifield tries to circle away but VALERIO has him pinned against the cage.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO landing knees to the head.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Holifield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holifield is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
VALERIO prevents Holifield from breaking the clinch.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.
Holifield lands an uppercut.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
Holifield wants to break the clinch but can't.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holifield 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Holifield cracks VALERIO with an open hand slap.
VALERIO tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Holifield counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
VALERIO tries to clinch

and Holifield counters by clinching up.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
Holifield is trying to break free.

Holifield escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Holifield looks to land a combination. VALERIO sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Holifield circles away from the clinch attempt
and Holifield cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
VALERIO wants to clinch
and Holifield counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holifield scores with a one two! VALERIO had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
VALERIO wants to clinch but Holifield slips to the side
and Holifield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Holifield tries to bum rush VALERIO with a series of wild strikes but VALERIO uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Holifield punishes VALERIO's body with a nice straight punch.

Holifield closes the distance and clinches.
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holifield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
VALERIO closes the distance looking to clinch
and VALERIO takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
VALERIO closes the distance looking to clinch
and Holifield counters with a two punch combo.
Holifield throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Holifield here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
VALERIO tries to clinch

and Holifield counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Holifield wants to get back to striking at distance but VALERIO won't allow it.
VALERIO has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO misses with a knee strike.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.

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.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.
Holifield lands a nice elbow.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO stops a takedown attempt from Holifield.
VALERIO keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holifield's efforts to push away.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO misses with a knee strike.
Holifield working hard to break the clinch.
VALERIO using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holifield has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VALERIO looking to throw knees to the head but Holifield is blocking nicely.
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holifield is trying to break the clinch but VALERIO has him pressed against the cage.
VALERIO with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
VALERIO keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holifield's efforts to push away.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holifield's efforts to push away.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
Holifield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Holifield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.

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.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
Holifield is trying to force a seperation but VALERIO has the dominant position.
Holifield wants to break free but VALERIO has control.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO tries a knee to the head but Holifield blocks it.
VALERIO with an attempt at a knee that misses.
VALERIO throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holifield blocks it with crossed arms.
VALERIO keeps control of Holifield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Evander Holifield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
VALERIO misses with a knee strike.
VALERIO throws a knee to the head but misses.
VALERIO misses with a knee to the head.
TIAGO VALERIO has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
VALERIO tries to land a knee to the head but Holifield blocks with his arms.
VALERIO misses with a knee strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evander Holifield showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Holifield 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evander Holifield!