PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Holliday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jussi Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Holliday
vs
Kantola

183 cm
30
200 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

187 cm
26
190 lbs
6 - 14 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 10 - 11 - 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 6 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jussi Kantola!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holliday tries to bum rush Kantola with a series of wild strikes but Kantola uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kantola walks into a stiff left hand from Holliday.
Kantola throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holliday's waist but Holliday gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kantola off to one side.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kantola looks to land a right hand but Holliday moved out of range.
Holliday tests Kantola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sloppy strikes from Holliday. Those never looked like landing.
Kantola looks to land a right hand but Holliday moved out of range.
Kantola tries a head kick but it misses.
Holliday misses with the combination.
Holliday's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Holliday duly obliges.
No joy there for Holliday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Holliday misses with a double jab
letting Kantola counter with a right hand.
Holliday throws a combination that misses
and Kantola counters with a big head kick but Holliday shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday scores with a jab.
Holliday lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Holliday throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kantola.
Holliday falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kantola counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Holliday is breathing heavily.
Kantola stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holliday swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kantola wants to stand but Holliday has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Holliday keeping moving, preventing Kantola from controlling successfully.
Holliday is looking to stand up but Kantola isn't so interested in that idea.

Holliday has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kantola off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kantola shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holliday as he avoids it easily.
Kantola shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holliday but Holliday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Kantola.
Holliday lands a jab-cross combination.
Kantola avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kantola tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holliday paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kantola shoots for a takedown but Holliday saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
John Holliday seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holliday's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kantola under the eye.
Kantola takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kantola fails with a takedown attempt.
Holliday swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kantola counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday fails to land with a series of punches.
Holliday throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kantola.
Kantola showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holliday.
Holliday throws a right hand that Kantola ducks under and follows up with a left that Kantola also avoids with ease.
Holliday shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kantola eats them both and turns towards Holliday to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kantola looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Holliday throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kantola has his takedown stuffed
and Holliday counters with a left and a right that stings Kantola.
Kantola tries to clinch but Holliday moves out of range.
Holliday displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kantola throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holliday misses with a wild combination.
Holliday avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Holliday moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Holliday lands a nice shot that snaps Kantola's head back.
Holliday will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kantola moves in looking to clinch but Holliday pushes him off.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kantola.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holliday scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Holliday misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Holliday.
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 John Holliday will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A combination from Holliday does no damage.
Holliday rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kantola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kantola tries to clinch
and Holliday counters with a one-two to the body.
Holliday thuds his right hand into Kantola's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Holliday misses with a series of wild punches.
John Holliday is winning the standup battle so far.
Kantola moves in looking to clinch but Holliday pushes him off.
Holliday swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Holliday misses.
Holliday misses with the combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A bone on bone clash there as Holliday blocks the leg kick.
Kantola tries to clinch but Holliday is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Holliday does no damage.
Holliday avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Holliday throws a combination that misses
and Kantola counters with a nice body kick.
John Holliday is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kantola looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Holliday is fending him off so far but Kantola persists. Nope, Holliday circles away and we're back to standing.
Kantola lands a nice shot that snaps Holliday's head back.
Kantola fails to land the takedown.
Kantola is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holliday sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Kantola.
No joy there for Holliday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kantola tries to land a front kick but Holliday steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Holliday will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kantola misses with a takedown attempt - Holliday sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Horrible takedown by Kantola or perhaps it was just good defense by Holliday which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola tries to clinch but Holliday is having none of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holliday swinging wildly here.
Kantola dodges the punch combination from Holliday.
John Holliday is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holliday throws a right hand that Kantola ducks under and follows up with a left that Kantola also avoids with ease.
A punch combination from Holliday misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kantola looks for a takedown but Holliday sprawls well.
Kantola showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holliday.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Kantola with that takedown attempt.
Holliday misses with a double jab.
Holliday throws a nice looking combination but Kantola bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kantola slips a jab and a cross from Holliday.
Holliday misses with a double jab.
Kantola is looking to clinch but Holliday is avoiding it.
Holliday lands a nice shot that snaps Kantola's head back.
Holliday circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kantola.
Holliday throws a series of punches but Kantola avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Holliday does no damage.
Holliday throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Holliday moves out of range of the body kick.
Kantola shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holliday defends it nicely.
Holliday throws a nice looking combination but Kantola bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kantola bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kantola fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holliday rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kantola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Holliday will probably get the nod.
That's time! Holliday's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Holliday misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Holliday cracks Kantola with a good jab.
Holliday looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kantola takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holliday is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kantola tries to clinch up.
Kantola fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Holliday avoids it really well and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Holliday.
Holliday misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kantola shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holliday sprawls well. Holliday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kantola gets slowly back to his feet.
Holliday misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kantola misses with a head kick.
Kantola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Holliday manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holliday rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kantola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Holliday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kantola tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holliday swivels and escapes.
John Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Kantola.
Holliday takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Holliday falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kantola counters with a nice leg kick.
Kantola looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holliday throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola shoots in for a takedown but Holliday shows good takedown defense.
Holliday throws a series of punches but Kantola moves out of range.
Kantola tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Holliday counters with a series of strikes. Kantola will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kantola is looking to clinch.
Holliday misses with a combination

and Kantola counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Holliday has one foot on Kantola's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A combination from Holliday does no damage.
Kantola shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holliday defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday circles away from the clinch attempt
and Holliday counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Holliday misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kantola misses with a takedown attempt
and Holliday makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Holliday connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Holliday throws a combination. Kantola tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Holliday misses with a few strikes there.
Kantola is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holliday sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Holliday lands with a nice combination. Kantola backs away looking to recover.
Holliday swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
John Holliday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holliday blocks a head kick by Kantola.
Holliday throws a series of strikes that have Kantola backpedaling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola dodges the punch combination from Holliday.
Holliday on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kantola. Kantola obviously looking to wear him down.
Kantola tries to clinch there but Holliday circles away.
Holliday looks to land a combination but Kantola avoids it well.
Kantola has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sloppy strikes from Holliday. Those never looked like landing.
Kantola shoots in for a double leg but Holliday sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holliday throws a right and a left that Kantola avoids nicely.
Kantola shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holliday as he avoids it easily.
Jussi Kantola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holliday swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kantola looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Holliday misses with a few strikes there.

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 John Holliday.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holliday, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Holliday!