PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Zoliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Holland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Zoliev
vs
Holland

195 cm
21
270 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
265 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Zoliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chris Holland!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zoliev stuffs the takedown.
Holland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Holland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zoliev defends it nicely.
Holland tries to clinch but Zoliev moves out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Holland.
Holland is looking to take a break and control but Zoliev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zoliev avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Holland.
Zoliev struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoliev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Holland decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zoliev to his feet.
Holland tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holland scores with a kick to the midsection.
Holland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zoliev swivels and escapes.
Nikolai Zoliev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Holland.

Zoliev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Zoliev trying to control the position but Holland is working away.
Holland sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Holland won't allow Zoliev to pass to mount.

Holland looking for submissions off his back.
Holland looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holland wants to improve his position but Zoliev is controlling well.

Zoliev escapes and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zoliev wants to clinch up but Holland keeps it at a distance.

Holland gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zoliev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Holland is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoliev wants to control from the top but Holland keeps moving.

Zoliev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Holland tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zoliev is able to avoid easily.
Holland doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zoliev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zoliev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Holland.
A shot in the inside from Zoliev.
Zoliev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holland as Zoliev tries to tie him up.
Holland tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zoliev has Holland pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Holland manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holland tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zoliev smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zoliev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Zoliev postures up.
Holland being controlled here, momentarily.
Holland wants to sweep here but Zoliev controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holland is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nikolai Zoliev will probably get the nod.
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.

Zoliev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zoliev trying to control from half guard but Holland is working away.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Holland trying to control here.
Zoliev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Holland on the ground.
Holland is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoliev controlling the action here.
Holland tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Holland gets back to full guard.
Zoliev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zoliev is in close to Holland's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two 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.
Zoliev wants to control from the top but Holland keeps moving.
Zoliev is pushing down on Holland's leg trying to pass to half guard. Holland is fighting to maintain full guard but Zoliev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Holland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zoliev.
Holland is looking to improve his position.
Zoliev wants to stand but Holland has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Zoliev wants to free his trapped foot but Holland is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Well, if Zoliev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoliev is keen to just control but Holland is a slippery customer.
Zoliev thows a huge punch but Holland dodges it nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zoliev tries to clinch up.
Zoliev circles away from the clinch attempt.

Zoliev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Holland is trying to defend but Zoliev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Holland is looking for a sweep. Zoliev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Holland has one foot on Zoliev's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Holland drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zoliev is looking to reverse the position.
Holland laying and praying for a moment but Zoliev takes advantage and regains half guard.
Zoliev trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Zoliev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zoliev feints and as Holland raises his hands in defense, Zoliev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zoliev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zoliev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Zoliev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Holland controls Zoliev momentarily but Zoliev frees himself.
Holland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holland has control of Zoliev's left arm, preventing Zoliev from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoliev trying to control but Holland is working from the bottom.
Holland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zoliev manages to get himself to full guard.

Zoliev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Holland advances position into side control!
Holland wants to control but Zoliev is keeping him busy.

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.
Zoliev is trying to get back to half guard.
Holland is looking to take a break and control but Zoliev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holland wants to stand but Zoliev has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holland postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Zoliev is trying to control Holland's posture but Holland avoids it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Zoliev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Holland wants to get back to his feet.
Holland tries to improve position but can't.
Chris Holland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zoliev content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolai Zoliev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Holland wants to control but Zoliev postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holland is looking to regain half guard here but Zoliev keeps moving and retains side control.
Nikolai Zoliev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zoliev controlling the position from side mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Zoliev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zoliev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Zoliev!