PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Axel Holmstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermaine Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Holmstrom
vs
Miller

199 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Axel Holmstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jermaine Miller!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller dives in and grabs Holmstrom's left leg, looking for a takedown. Holmstrom pushes down on Miller's head and hops out.
Miller fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Holmstrom throws a nice head kick!
Miller fails with a takedown attempt.
Axel Holmstrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermaine Miller.
Holmstrom wants to clinch.
Miller looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holmstrom darts in trying to clinch

and Miller counters with a nice double leg into side control. Holmstrom won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Holmstrom pushes Miller away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Miller gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Miller tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Miller has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Miller throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Holmstrom works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Miller throws a strike but Holmstrom avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Miller must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holmstrom is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miller defends well.
Miller working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Miller scoring with some ground and pound.
Holmstrom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Miller controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Holmstrom is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miller is aware though and is defending well.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Holmstrom has wrist control.
Holmstrom is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller works over Holmstrom with some ground and pound from guard.
Miller really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Holmstrom. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Miller is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Miller stops Holmstrom from standing up.
Miller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Miller is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
It looks like Miller might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Holmstrom working a defensive guard here.
Holmstrom being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jermaine Miller wasn't active enough on the ground.
Miller fails with a takedown attempt.
Holmstrom wants to clinch

and Miller counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miller wants to pass to mount but Holmstrom is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Holmstrom wants to clinch

and Miller counters with a takedown into side control.
Miller trying to control the action but Holmstrom is working from the bottom.
Miller is working Holmstrom over with some ground and pound from side control.
Holmstrom is letting Miller control him for a moment.

Miller swings around for an armbar but Holmstrom sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Miller's guard.
Miller is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Holmstrom is controlling him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Miller managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller looking for a sweep. Not yet Miller, not yet.

Jermaine Miller has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Holmstrom gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Miller manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Axel Holmstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holmstrom circles away.
Holmstrom just misses with a punch to the body.
Miller misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Axel Holmstrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermaine Miller.
Holmstrom displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Miller.
Miller is breathing heavily.
Holmstrom misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmstrom tries to clinch up

and Miller moves into the clinch.

Miller gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Miller wants to control from the top but Holmstrom keeps moving.
Miller throwing strikes but missing.
Miller is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmstrom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Miller not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Miller wants to stand but Holmstrom is controlling his posture from full guard.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmstrom trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A clash of legs there as Miller blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Miller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Holmstrom's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Miller shoots in for a double leg but Holmstrom sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holmstrom is looking to clinch but Miller is avoiding it.
Holmstrom doesn't manage to clinch there - Miller circles away.
Miller circles away from the clinch attempt

and Miller counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Jermaine Miller has got the better of the ground game so far.

Holmstrom looking for a guillotine here but Miller defends easily.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Holmstrom blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller wants to control from the top but Holmstrom keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Miller's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Miller wants to control from the top but Holmstrom keeps moving.
Miller with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Miller postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Miller lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holmstrom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Miller is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Miller trying to control but Holmstrom is working from the bottom.
Holmstrom will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Miller is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Holmstrom blocks nicely.
Jermaine Miller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Holmstrom is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jermaine Miller was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Miller closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Holmstrom goes for a takedown attempt but Miller pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Miller tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holmstrom swivels and escapes.
Holmstrom closes the distance but Miller moves to the side

and Miller counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Miller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Miller makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Holmstrom can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Miller controls the pace.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holmstrom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Axel Holmstrom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermaine Miller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Miller winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermaine Miller!