PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Holliday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Arlovski's choice of entrance music: Submit To Death by Grotesque. 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.

Holliday
vs
Arlovski

183 cm
26
200 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

194 cm
22
196 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Holliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holliday misses with a wild combination.
Arlovski misses with a wild body shot.

Arlovski has taken the fight to the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Holliday's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holliday has had enough of the clinch but Arlovski keeps him there for the moment.

Arlovski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Arlovski slips a straight right by Holliday.
Jab by Holliday.
Arlovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holliday swats away the attempt to clinch by Arlovski.
Holliday looks to score with a jab to the body but Arlovski is just out of range.
Holliday throws a body punch but Arlovski moves out of range.
Arlovski throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Arlovski throws a body punch but Holliday moves out of range.
Jack Arlovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski tries to clinch but Holliday moves out of range.
Arlovski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holliday sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Arlovski scores with a body shot.
Arlovski throws a left and a right that both miss
and Holliday counters with a left to the body.
Arlovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holliday comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Holliday moves away from the strike by Arlovski.
Holliday misses the shot to the body.
Arlovski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holliday.
Arlovski moves out of range as Holliday strikes.
Arlovski is looking to clinch.
Holliday is looking to wear down Arlovski with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Arlovski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arlovski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holliday manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holliday scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Arlovski closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Holliday tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Arlovski in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Arlovski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Arlovski throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Holliday is looking for a sweep.
Holliday sneaks back into half guard.
Arlovski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Holliday knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Holliday keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday is trying to maintain the position but Arlovski is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Holliday misses with a hook. Arlovski ducked under it nicely.
Arlovski tries to clinch there but Holliday circles away.
Holliday throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arlovski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arlovski shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holliday defends it nicely.
Arlovski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holliday was well out of range. Poor timing from Arlovski.
Arlovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holliday swats him away and circles back towards the center.
John Holliday is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.
Holliday fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arlovski manages to avoid it.
Holliday works the jab nicely.

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.
Arlovski misses with an uppercut. Holliday saw that one coming.
Arlovski works Holliday's body with a nice hook.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown but Holliday shows good takedown defense.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Arlovski.
Arlovski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Arlovski looks for a takedown but Holliday sprawls well.
Arlovski just misses with a punch to the body.
Holliday takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holliday throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Arlovski counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Arlovski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Arlovski wants to control but Holliday is keeping him busy.
Arlovski throwing shots but Holliday is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack Arlovski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Holliday's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arlovski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holliday sprawls well. Holliday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arlovski gets slowly back to his feet.
Arlovski thows a body shot but no joy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Arlovski lands a right hook to the body.
Arlovski throws a shot to the body.
Arlovski tries to clinch up.
Arlovski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Holliday.
Arlovski throws out a leg kick but Holliday moves out of range and Arlovski only half commits.
Arlovski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Holliday walks into a stiff left hand from Arlovski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski tries to clinch but Holliday is having none of it.
Arlovski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Holliday throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arlovski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arlovski dodges the punch combination from Holliday.
Holliday jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Arlovski misses with a body shot.
Holliday swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Arlovski clinches up with Holliday and pushes him back against the cage.
Arlovski lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Arlovski goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Arlovski tries to pull guard but Holliday holds him up against the cage and eventually Arlovski drops back down to his feet.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Arlovski.
Holliday is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holliday is trying to break the clinch but Arlovski is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holliday blocks a body shot from Arlovski.

Arlovski breaks the clinch.
Arlovski's corner calls for a 1-2. Arlovski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Holliday defending well as Arlovski loads up on a big left hand.
Arlovski throws a one two combo.
Arlovski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Arlovski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holliday was well out of range. Poor timing from Arlovski.

Arlovski shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Holliday's guard.
Holliday not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Arlovski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Arlovski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Arlovski wants to control from the top but Holliday keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arlovski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Arlovski is working Holliday over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Arlovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Arlovski's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Holliday pushes Arlovski off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Arlovski throws a series of strikes that have Holliday backpedaling.
Arlovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Holliday throws a shot from downtown. Arlovski moves away and avoids it.
Holliday misses with a wild body shot.
Holliday throws a hook but Arlovski blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski just misses with a punch to the body.
Holliday looks to land a left hand but Arlovski moved out of range nicely.
Arlovski scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Arlovski moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Arlovski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holliday was well out of range. Poor timing from Arlovski.
Arlovski lands with an overhand left.
Arlovski misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Holliday counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A jab lands there for Holliday.
Jack Arlovski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arlovski turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Holliday throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Arlovski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Arlovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Arlovski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Holliday stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Arlovski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Arlovski tries to clinch
and Holliday counters with a nice body shot.
Arlovski throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Arlovski connects with a looping right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arlovski.
Arlovski stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Arlovski throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Arlovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holliday circles away from the clinch attempt.
Arlovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Holliday circles away.
Arlovski lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday misses the shot to the body.
Arlovski thuds a left hand into Holliday's body.
Holliday takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Holliday bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Arlovski's head.
Arlovski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holliday manages to avoid it.
Arlovski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Arlovski has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Arlovski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arlovski tries for a takedown but Holliday circles away easily
and Holliday counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Holliday lands a jab to the head.
The crowd cheers as Holliday lands an impressive looking overhand right. Arlovski doesn't seem phased though.
Arlovski wants to clinch.
John Holliday has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski tries to clinch but Holliday is having none of it.
Arlovski swings for the body but Holliday moves out of range.
Holliday throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Holliday missing with a left hand there. Arlovski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Arlovski shoots in looking for a takedown. Holliday tries to sprawl out of it but Arlovski keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holliday manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Arlovski.
Holliday throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arlovski swings for the body but Holliday moves out of range.
Holliday takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arlovski connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big right from Arlovski misses.
Arlovski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arlovski lands with a nice body punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Arlovski prevents Holliday from breaking the clinch.
Holliday wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Arlovski has him pressed against the cage.
Holliday is trying to break the clinch but Arlovski has him pressed against the cage.
Holliday can't break the clinch.
Good body shot from Arlovski.
Holliday is trying to force a seperation but Arlovski has the dominant position.
Holliday stops a takedown attempt from Arlovski.

Arlovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arlovski works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Arlovski wants to clinch up but Holliday keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski misses with a shot to the body
and Holliday cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Arlovski misses with a looping right.
Holliday misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Arlovski to counter with a crisp jab.
Holliday misses with a combination
and Arlovski counters with a nice body shot.
Holliday throws a hook but Arlovski blocks it.
Arlovski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Arlovski scores with a shot to the body.
Arlovski moves in looking to clinch but Holliday pushes him off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holliday but Holliday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Arlovski moves in looking to clinch but Holliday pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Arlovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Arlovski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Arlovski!