PBP Commentary

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

Holyfield
vs
Vaananen

183 cm
20
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
199 lbs
4 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evander Holyfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reino Vaananen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch but Holyfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Holyfield avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vaananen doesn't manage to clinch there - Holyfield circles away.
Holyfield throws a nice looking combination but Vaananen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holyfield avoids the head kick by Vaananen.
Vaananen is looking to clinch.
Holyfield blocks a head kick by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holyfield fails to land with a series of punches.
Vaananen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Vaananen connects with a crisp jab.
Vaananen wants to clinch up but Holyfield keeps it at a distance.
Holyfield ducks right into an uppercut from Vaananen.
Holyfield moves out of range as Vaananen strikes.
Vaananen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Holyfield looks to land a combination but Vaananen avoids it well.
Vaananen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vaananen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vaananen moves out of range of the leg kick from Holyfield.
Holyfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield keeps the fight on the outside.
Holyfield misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vaananen.
Holyfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vaananen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vaananen closes the distance and clinches up with Holyfield, looking for a takedown. Vaananen pushes Holyfield against the cage but Holyfield circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Holyfield misses with a wild body shot.
Vaananen wants to clinch up but Holyfield keeps it at a distance.
Holyfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Holyfield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vaananen circles away quickly and effectively.
Vaananen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holyfield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vaananen throws a nice looking combination but Holyfield bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holyfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Holyfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holyfield throws the left hand but Vaananen avoids the punch easily.
Holyfield throws a series of punches but Vaananen moves out of range.
Reino Vaananen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holyfield will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two 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.
Holyfield throws a series of punches but Vaananen moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Vaananen checks a leg kick.
Holyfield takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holyfield swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Vaananen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vaananen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holyfield's efforts to push away.

Holyfield has clasped his hands together around Vaananen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Vaananen is looking to regain half guard here but Holyfield keeps moving and retains side control.
Holyfield prevents Vaananen from escaping the position.
Vaananen is not content to let Holyfield control the position.
Holyfield landing a few strikes.
Vaananen is looking for a sweep.
Holyfield 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaananen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Holyfield creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Vaananen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Holyfield throws a strike aimed at the side of Vaananen's head but Vaananen avoids it well.
Holyfield connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Vaananen some visible discomfort.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Holyfield looks up at the clock and then as Vaananen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Holyfield smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Check out the look on Holyfield's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Vaananen wants to get back to his feet.
Holyfield is working Vaananen over with some ground and pound from side control.
Holyfield throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Vaananen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Holyfield wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vaananen keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Holyfield trying to pass the guard but Vaananen defending well.
Holyfield is keen to just control but Vaananen is a slippery customer.

Vaananen pushes Holyfield off and gets back to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Holyfield on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Holyfield tries to circle away but Vaananen has him pinned against the cage.
Holyfield is trying to break free.
Holyfield is trying to break the clinch but Vaananen is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holyfield dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holyfield paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holyfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vaananen manages to avoid it.
Holyfield misses with an uppercut.
Vaananen lands a head shot.
Vaananen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vaananen connects with a solid leg kick.
Vaananen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Holyfield will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Holyfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vaananen lands with a hook. Holyfield tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vaananen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield is having none of it.

Vaananen takes the fight into the clinch.
Vaananen lands a knee to the body.

Holyfield escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vaananen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vaananen fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaananen moves in looking to clinch but Holyfield pushes him off.
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch but Holyfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vaananen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Holyfield throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Holyfield keeps the fight on the outside.
Vaananen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Evander Holyfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holyfield swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holyfield throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vaananen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Holyfield misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holyfield throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vaananen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vaananen.
Vaananen pushes Holyfield back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Vaananen has Holyfield pressed against the cage, preventing Holyfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Holyfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holyfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vaananen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Holyfield.
Holyfield has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaananen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holyfield avoids it.
Vaananen blocks an uppercut.
Vaananen misses with a knee strike.
Holyfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Vaananen has double underhooks.
Vaananen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Holyfield breaks from the clinch.

Vaananen has closed the distance and engaged Holyfield in a clinch.
Holyfield fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vaananen misses with an elbow strike.
Holyfield is trying to force a seperation but Vaananen has the dominant position.

Vaananen breaks from the clinch.
Holyfield takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Holyfield blocks a head kick by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield is having none of it.
Vaananen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vaananen looks to land a combination. Holyfield sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Holyfield throws a right hand that Vaananen ducks under and follows up with a left that Vaananen also avoids with ease.
Holyfield throws a series of punches but Vaananen avoids them all with ease.
A big right from Holyfield misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Vaananen slips a jab and a cross from Holyfield.
Holyfield chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vaananen can pounce on him.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Holyfield crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Vaananen - the referee stops the clock and Holyfield gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Vaananen. Holyfield manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vaananen clinches with his opponent.
Vaananen lands an elbow just above Holyfield 's eye.

It looks like Evander Holyfield has been cut.
Vaananen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holyfield is defending well for now.

Vaananen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vaananen dodges the punch combination from Holyfield.
Holyfield throws a combination that misses
and Vaananen counters with a stiff right hand.
Holyfield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vaananen circles away quickly and effectively.
Jab by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch up but Holyfield circles away and keeps his distance.

Vaananen closes the distance and clinches.

Vaananen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vaananen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Holyfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Vaananen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holyfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vaananen lands with a nice body punch.
Holyfield throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Holyfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Holyfield takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vaananen is looking to clinch but Holyfield is avoiding it.
Vaananen tries to clinch there but Holyfield circles away.
Holyfield dodges the punch combination from Vaananen.
Holyfield is looking to wear down Vaananen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
No joy there for Holyfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch but Holyfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holyfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holyfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holyfield misses with a few strikes there.
Vaananen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Vaananen lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reino Vaananen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Evander Holyfield's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Vaananen throws a sloppy head kick and Holyfield moves out of range easily.

Vaananen moves into the clinch.
Holyfield misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Vaananen.

Vaananen breaks from the clinch.
Vaananen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Holyfield doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab from Holyfield finds it's way through Vaananen's defenses.
Vaananen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holyfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to close the distance and clinch but Holyfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vaananen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Vaananen lands a body shot.
Vaananen slips under a jab.
Vaananen avoids a kick to the body.
Holyfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vaananen.
Vaananen tries to clinch there but Holyfield circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Vaananen fails with an attempt to clinch.

Vaananen closes the distance and clinches.
Holyfield is trying to force a seperation but Vaananen has the dominant position.
Holyfield wants to break free but Vaananen has control.
A frustrated look appears on Holyfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holyfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Vaananen breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Holyfield misses the target.
Holyfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice body kick from Vaananen.
Vaananen moves in looking to clinch but Holyfield pushes him off.
Holyfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Some wild striking there from Holyfield.
Vaananen wants to clinch.

That's two 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.
Holyfield throws an overhand right that lands on Vaananen's shoulder, as Vaananen tries to avoid the shot.
Nice sprawl there from Holyfield as Vaananen shoots in.
Vaananen wants to clinch.
Vaananen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd cheers as Holyfield lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vaananen doesn't seem phased though.
Vaananen moves in looking to clinch but Holyfield pushes him off.
Holyfield scores with a three punch combo!
Holyfield misses with a wild body shot.
Vaananen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holyfield throws out the jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vaananen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vaananen stalks Holyfield and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Holyfield's face. Holyfield staggers backwards, shaken.

Vaananen pushes Holyfield up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaananen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Holyfield's efforts to push away.
Vaananen has Holyfield pressed against the cage, preventing Holyfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vaananen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holyfield tries to circle away but Vaananen has him pinned against the cage.
Vaananen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holyfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Vaananen has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Holyfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holyfield working hard to break the clinch.
Vaananen misses with a knee to the head.

Holyfield escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vaananen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Holyfield getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vaananen misses with a few strikes there.
Vaananen is looking to clinch but Holyfield is avoiding it.
Vaananen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vaananen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Holyfield throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four 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.
Holyfield falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vaananen counters with a stiff right hand.
Vaananen is looking to clinch but Holyfield is avoiding it.
Holyfield throws a series of punches but Vaananen moves out of range.
Holyfield missing with a left hand there. Vaananen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Holyfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vaananen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vaananen moves in looking to clinch but Holyfield pushes him off.
Holyfield tries to bum rush Vaananen with a series of wild strikes but Vaananen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vaananen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holyfield.
Vaananen tries to clinch up but Holyfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Vaananen wants to clinch.
Holyfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Holyfield moves out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Vaananen as he connects with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evander Holyfield.
I think Holyfield has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Reino Vaananen!