PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robert Holdstock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Collins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Holdstock
vs
Collins

170 cm
21
150 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
152 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

MMA's Best Nutrition
Kitsura Clothing Ltd

Kitsura Clothing Ltd

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Holdstock!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bob Collins!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Holdstock gets a takedown into half guard.
Holdstock is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Holdstock thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.
Holdstock works his foot free and advances to mount.
Collins can't escape the position.
Holdstock landing strikes, looking to finish!
Collins reaches up to try and control the position but Holdstock seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Collins rolls and tries to escape and now Holdstock has his back!
Collins is really stuck here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Collins is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Holdstock off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Collins is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holdstock really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Collins.
Holdstock 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.
Collins is in bad spot here.
Collins tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Collins wants to control but Holdstock is having none of it.
Holdstock tries to control but Collins wriggling away.

Holdstock is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Collins can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Holdstock wants to control the pace but Collins is squirming around nicely.
Holdstock avoids the attempt from Collins to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Holdstock is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Collins can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Collins tries to lock up and control but Holdstock gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Holdstock wants to control the pace but Collins is squirming around nicely.
Holdstock is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Collins is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Holdstock is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Collins is in real trouble.
Holdstock has the hooks in. Collins is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Collins turns into Holdstock and is now in his guard.

Collins is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Holdstock is breathing heavily.
Holdstock wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins trying to stand up but can't free himself from Holdstock's guard.

Holdstock is looking for a triangle but Collins pushes his legs off easily.
Collins trying to control the position from guard on top but Holdstock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Collins works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Holdstock manages to get to full guard.
Collins wants to control from the top but Holdstock keeps moving.
Holdstock lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Collins!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holdstock scoring with strikes but Collins is staying in there.
Collins is squirming around, avoiding Holdstock's attempts to control the action.
Holdstock is landing with some decent strikes but Collins is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Collins tries to hold on but Holdstock postures up.

Holdstock working for a guillotine from mount but Collins is in no mood to give up.
Collins wants to hold on but Holdstock pushes him away.
Holdstock controlling the pace for now.
Holdstock tries to control but Collins wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Holdstock dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Collins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Holdstock scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Holdstock working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Collins is looking for a sweep.
Holdstock trying to control the action but Collins is working from the bottom.
Collins is looking to reverse the position.
Collins is breathing heavily.
Holdstock controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins is looking for a sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Holdstock shoots in and drives through. Collins sprawls well.

Holdstock shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Collins's guard.
Holdstock slips nicely into half guard.
Holdstock passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Collins!
Holdstock trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Holdstock has control of Collins's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Collins regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Collins can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holdstock with a couple of short strikes.
Holdstock working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Holdstock content just to control the position here.
Collins is looking to get to half guard.
Collins is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Collins sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Collins trying to control but Holdstock postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins missing with punches from the bottom.
Collins looks like he's trying to stand up.
Collins keeping control of the position.
Collins works his way to full guard. Good work.
Collins looking to control.
Collins keeping moving, preventing Holdstock from controlling successfully.

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.
Collins tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Collins throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Holdstock wants to control from the top but Collins keeps moving.
Collins tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Collins shoots and misses

and Holdstock counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Holdstock trying to control the position from guard on top but Collins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Collins trying to keep a closed guard but Holdstock is proving a slippery customer.
Collins throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Collins is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Holdstock dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Holdstock doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Collins counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Holdstock's guard now.
Holdstock keeping full guard, as Collins tries to pass.
Holdstock trying to keep a closed guard but Collins is proving a slippery customer.
Holdstock 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.
Collins passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Collins has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Holdstock!

Collins is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Collins throws a nice looking combination but Holdstock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins misses with a body shot.
Bob Collins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Collins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holdstock shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Collins counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Holdstock wants to sweep here but Collins controlling him for the moment.
Collins looking to sit in guard and control but Holdstock gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Collins keeping moving, preventing Holdstock from controlling successfully.
Collins has Holdstock pulled in close to control his posture.

Collins is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Holdstock forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins wants to control but Holdstock is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Holdstock is trying to control the action in half guard but Collins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Collins gets back to full guard.
Holdstock controls from within his opponent's guard.
Holdstock passes Collins's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Collins is staying active underneath Holdstock, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Collins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Holdstock is working away from the top position though.
Collins misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Holdstock not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Collins trying to hold on to Holdstock's head to control him but Holdstock postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holdstock wants to take a breather but Collins is having none of it.
Collins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Holdstock's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Holdstock's back!
Collins wants to control but Holdstock manages to buck him off and is now in Collins's guard! Nice work there by Holdstock!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Collins tries to clinch up.
Holdstock shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Collins as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Holdstock. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Holdstock shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Collins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holdstock content to stall in guard here.
Collins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Holdstock!
Holdstock taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Collins looking to control but Holdstock is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Collins moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Holdstock has worked his arm free - good work by Holdstock!
Holdstock is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Holdstock sneaks back into half guard.
Holdstock is pressing down on Collins's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Holdstock looking for a guillotine here but Collins defends easily.
Collins is pushing down on Holdstock's leg trying to pass to half guard. Holdstock is fighting to maintain full guard but Collins has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Collins really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Holdstock shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Holdstock showed some decent athleticism there.
Holdstock seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Collins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Collins is trying to maintain the position but Holdstock is very close to passing his half guard.
Collins is pressing down on Holdstock's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Collins looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Holdstock puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Holdstock tries to pass the half guard into mount. Collins knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Collins wants to control but Holdstock is keeping busy.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Holdstock not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holdstock missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Robert Holdstock overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Collins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holdstock tries to pass to full mount but Collins defends it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Collins has managed to clinch.

Collins pulls Holdstock into guard.
Collins trying to control the position.
Collins has control of Holdstock's left arm, preventing Holdstock from doing any damage.

Collins pushes Holdstock off and scrambles back to his feet.

Collins has Holdstock up against the cage in a clinch.

Collins has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Holdstock is trying to keep an underhook but Collins manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Collins takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins is looking to take a break and control but Holdstock is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holdstock is trying to get back to full guard.
Collins is taking a breather. Holdstock says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Holdstock looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holdstock is refusing to be controlled, as Collins sits in half guard.

Holdstock looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Collins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holdstock keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Holdstock will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holdstock shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Holdstock showed some decent athleticism there.
Collins wants to get back to full guard but Holdstock has passed into side control.
Holdstock lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Collins hang on?
Collins regains half guard.
Collins controlling the position well.
Collins wants to control but Holdstock is keeping busy.
Collins keeping control of the position.
Collins moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Collins is looking for a triangle but Holdstock pushes his legs off easily.
Holdstock postures up in Collins's guard and throws a big left but Collins blocks it.

Collins looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Holdstock showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Collins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Collins is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Collins dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Collins keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Collins feints and as Holdstock raises his hands in defense, Collins changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Collins is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Collins tries to free his leg and advance position but Holdstock is retaining full guard.

Collins gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Holdstock misses with a takedown
letting Collins counter with a right hand.

Collins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holdstock, pushing him back against the cage.
Holdstock goes for a takedown attempt but Collins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Holdstock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Collins misses.
Collins tries to clinch but Holdstock moves out of range.
Collins looks to clinch

and Holdstock counters with a shoot takedown. Collins fights it but they end up in guard.
Holdstock controls from within his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holdstock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Collins is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holdstock postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Holdstock is in close to Collins's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Holdstock trying to control the position from guard on top but Collins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holdstock stops Collins from standing up.
Holdstock throwing strikes from guard but Collins blocks nicely.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Collins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Holdstock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Collins swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Holdstock darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Holdstock lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Holdstock frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Holdstock can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Collins is looking to escape.

Holdstock is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Collins has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Collins can't escape the position.

Holdstock working for a guillotine from mount but Collins is in no mood to give up.
Collins bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holdstock keeping moving, preventing Collins from controlling successfully.
Holdstock seems keen to control Collins's posture.

Holdstock looking for a guillotine here but Collins defends easily.
Collins trying to control the position from guard on top but Holdstock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Collins avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holdstock being controlled here, momentarily.

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.

Collins has gone for a leg lock! Holdstock slips out almost immediately though and dives into Collins's guard.
Collins trying to control the position.
Holdstock trying to control but Collins is working from the bottom.
Collins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Holdstock keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Collins's head.
Collins bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Holdstock's guard.
Collins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Holdstock's head.
Collins wants to pass the guard but Holdstock is keeping the position.
Holdstock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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 Robert Holdstock.
I think Holdstock 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 48:47
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:47
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Holdstock!
Robert Holdstock is the new featherweight champion!