PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luke Holder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hickock comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Turn me on Mr Deadman kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Holder
vs
Hickock

185 cm
24
196 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

182 cm
20
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Fast

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)
Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

BioPharm Nutrition
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Holder!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Hickock!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Columbo Gatti and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holder throws a chopping leg kick but Hickock manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Holder scores with the left hand. Hickock knows he should have avoided that one.
Holder throws a head kick that misses
and Hickock connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Holder tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hickock is looking to land body kicks.
Holder looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holder avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Holder misses with a right hand
and Hickock cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Holder takes a jab right on the kisser.

Hickock gets a clinch.
Hickock is working Holder over against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hickock tries to land a knee to the head but Holder blocks with his arms.
Hickock lands a body shot.
Holder wants to get back to striking at distance but Hickock won't allow it.
Holder misses with a body punch.
Hickock throws a head punch that misses.
Holder swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock trying to land knees to the body.

Holder breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hickock lands with an uppercut that bounces Holder off the cage and back into range.
Holder looks to throw the jab but Hickock is out of range.

Hickock moves into the clinch.
A short right from Hickock on the inside.
Hickock lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holder lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.
Holder's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hickock with a knee to the head.
Hickock trying to land knees to the body.
Hickock presses Holder against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hickock trying to land knees to the body.
Hickock throws an elbow that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holder is trying to stall.
Holder avoiding damage as Hickock throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock lands a shoulder strike.
Holder wants to stall.
Hickock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Holder tries to stall but Hickock uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hickock misses with a punch on the inside.
Hickock on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hickock tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holder trying to stall but Hickock improves his position.
Hickock tries to work over Holder's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Hickock.
Hickock with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hickock managing to block the knees to the body from Holder.
Holder lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Holder pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holder scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Holder looks to land a body kick but Hickock moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock moves out of range of the body kick.
Hickock on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Holder.
Hickock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hickock moves out of range of the leg kick from Holder.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holder looks for the body kick but Hickock saw that one coming.
Holder attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Holder throws a push kick but Hickock slaps the foot to one side.
Holder takes a swing at Hickock's ribcage but misses.
Hickock tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hickock thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good shot there by Hickock.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder ducks under a wild hook from Hickock.
A swing and a miss from Hickock.

Hickock drives through and clinches with Holder against the cage.
Hickock lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holder tries to break free but Hickock pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hickock.
Hickock looking to throw knees to the head but Holder is blocking nicely.
Hickock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickock lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hickock.
Holder dodges an elbow strike from Hickock.
Holder lands a nice elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holder blocks a body shot from Hickock.
Hickock lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hickock working Holder over with knees to the body.
Holder is looking to break free of the clinch but Hickock has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hickock dominated that round.
That's time! Holder's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hickock moves out of range as Holder throws a body kick.
A jab from Hickock does it's job there.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Holder lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hickock has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hickock and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hickock scores with a jab to the head.
Hickock might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A head kick misses from Hickock.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hickock darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hickock fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hickock lands with a cross.
Nice body kick from Holder.
Holder misses with a body kick.
Hickock looks for the body kick but Holder saw that one coming.
Hickock blocks a head kick by Holder.
Holder plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Richard Hickock has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hickock wants to clinch up but Holder keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holder blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Holder breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, jab by Hickock - just one landing.
Holder with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hickock throws a head kick but Holder moves out of range.
Holder avoids the head kick by Hickock.
Holder throws a quick inside leg kick.
Holder misses with a body kick.
Holder moves away from the strike by Hickock.
Holder lands a head kick. Hickock smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Holder throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hickock.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holder lands a high kick!
Hickock misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hickock throws a chopping leg kick but Holder manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hickock tries to clinch but Holder moves out of range.
Hickock lands with a straight right. Holder didn't see that one coming.
Hickock scores with a sloppy right hand. Holder should have avoided that one.
Hickock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hickock misses with an uppercut
and Holder counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hickock checks a leg kick nicely.
Holder throws a leg kick that misses.
Hickock throws a head kick that misses.
Holder misses with a head kick.
Holder lands a head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock looks to land a right hand but Holder moved out of range.
Hickock throws a hook to the side of Holder's head but Holder sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holder lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hickock throws a front kick aimed at Holder's knee but Holder avoids it well.
Luke Holder is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Holder finds it's way through Hickock's defenses.
Hickock throws a body punch but Holder moves out of range.

Hickock rushes Holder and presses him up against the cage.
Hickock tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A shot in the inside from Holder.
Holder has Hickock pushed against the cage.
Hickock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hickock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holder's elbow.
Hickock creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hickock lands with a right to the head.
Holder takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holder on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Holder jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hickock walks away with a smile on his face. Holder gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hickock tries to clinch up but Holder circles away and keeps his distance.
Hickock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Holder steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hickock.
Both fighters circling a little - Holder finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hickock is breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Holder.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holder misses with an uppercut. Hickock saw that one coming.
Holder buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hickock throws a push kick but Holder slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Holder dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Richard Hickock's cut.
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.

Holder throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Hickock.
Hickock tried to score with a low kick but Holder checks it.
Holder pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Holder throws a head kick but Hickock moves out of range.
Holder on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hickock. Hickock obviously looking to wear him down.
Holder fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hickock is out of range.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holder tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holder throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hickock jabs at Holder's body.
Hickock connects with a solid leg kick.
No joy there for Hickock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Holder throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock is looking to clinch but Holder is avoiding it.
Holder throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A bone on bone clash there as Holder blocks the leg kick.
Hickock tries to clinch there but Holder circles away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hickock!
Holder shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hickock thumps Holder with a low kick.
Holder takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Holder throws a sloppy head kick and Hickock moves out of range easily.
Holder on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hickock throws a right hand that Holder ducks under and follows up with a left that Holder also avoids with ease.
Holder walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hickock checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Holder takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Holder connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Holder misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hickock.
Hickock lands a jab to the nose.
Hickock checks a low kick from Holder.
Holder uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hickock.
Holder moves away from the strike by Hickock.
Hickock plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holder looks to land a left hand but Hickock moved out of range nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hickock. That's going to slow Holder down.
A low kick from Holder misses
and Hickock counters with a nice uppercut.
Hickock swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Hickock closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hickock pushes Holder back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock throws a knee to the head but misses.
Holder throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Holder wants to stall.
Hickock tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holder avoids it.
Hickock managing to block the knees to the body from Holder.
Hickock throws an elbow but it misses.
Hickock throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holder blocks it with crossed arms.
Hickock misses with a body punch.
Hickock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hickock lands a nice shot to the body.
Hickock looking to throw knees to the head but Holder is blocking nicely.
Hickock tries to throw a body punch but Holder avoids it by throwing Hickock back against the cage.
Hickock throws a punch but it's blocked by Holder.
Hickock lands a nice uppercut.
Holder lands a nice elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder takes an elbow to the temple.
Holder working hard to break the clinch.
Hickock avoiding damage as Holder throws knees to the body.
Hickock avoids a wild elbow strike from Holder.
Hickock misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holder.
Still in the clinch, Holder scores with a nice short uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holder lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hickock lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Holder has Hickock pressed against the cage.
Hickock throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hickock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holder.

Holder breaks the clinch.
Holder misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hickock really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Hickock's cut.
That's time! Holder's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hickock throws a hook but Holder blocks it.
Holder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Hickock does it's job there.
Holder chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Holder looks to land a body kick but Hickock moved away.
Hickock moves out of range as Holder strikes.
Holder staying out of range there.
Hickock scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Holder lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hickock avoids a kick to the body.
Hickock throws a sloppy body shot
and Holder counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hickock's knee momentarily.
Hickock is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hickock thows a body shot but no joy.
Holder walks into a left hand.
Holder tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock misses with a double jab.
Hickock throws a low kick but Holder moves out of range easily.
Hickock is looking to land body kicks.
Holder connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hickock explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Holder avoids the body shot from Hickock.
Holder throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hickock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A lazy left from Hickock finds it's target.
Hickock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Holder throws the kick towards the body but Hickock avoids it.

Hickock has closed the distance and engaged Holder in a clinch.
Hickock swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holder breaks from the clinch.
Hickock connects with a nice looking jab.
Holder tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holder lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hickock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Holder looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Holder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hickock throws a combination that misses
and Holder counters with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holder looks to land a right hand but Hickock moved out of range.

Hickock moves into range and clinches up with Holder.
Holder blocks an elbow strike from Hickock.
Hickock dodges an elbow strike from Holder.
Holder missing with knees to the body.
Hickock blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder dodges an elbow strike from Hickock.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hickock creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hickock misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Hickock on the inside.

Holder pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Hickock misses.
Hickock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hickock looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Holder is looking to land body kicks.
Hickock throws a hook but Holder blocks it.
Holder tries to land a front kick but Hickock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Holder throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hickock moves out of range as Holder strikes.
Hickock throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Holder, as that shot connected.
Holder displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hickock throws out the jab.
Holder throws a head kick but Hickock moves out of range.
Hickock doesn't manage to clinch there - Holder circles away.

Hickock gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hickock misses with a knee strike.
Hickock is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holder is defending well for now.
Hickock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hickock tries a body shot but Holder blocks it.
Holder looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hickock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holder looking to stall.
Holder misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hickock.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Richard Hickock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Richard Hickock's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Holder thows a leg kick but Hickock checks it
and Hickock counters with a stiff right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Hickock scores with a four punch combination!
Hickock just misses with a punch to the body.
A leg kick checked by Holder.
Hickock doesn't manage to clinch there - Holder circles away.
Holder on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hickock thumps Holder with a low kick.
Nice straight punches there by Holder. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Holder.
Hickock moves out of range as Holder throws a body kick.
Holder cracks Hickock with a good jab.
Holder lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Holder blocks a head kick by Hickock.
Holder keeps the fight on the outside.
Hickock takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hickock is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holder throws a wild body kick that Hickock sees coming a mile off.
Holder misses with a low kick.
Holder pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holder paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holder tries to land a front kick but Hickock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hickock moves out of range of the leg kick from Holder.
Holder misses with an uppercut. Hickock saw that one coming.
Hickock is looking to clinch.
Hickock wants to clinch up but Holder keeps it at a distance.
Hickock cracks Holder with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Holder misses with a looping right.
Hickock cracks a nice hook into Holder's ribs.
Hickock throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Holder coming out on top.
Holder wants to land a leg kick but Hickock is out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Hickock as he connects with a hook.
Jab from Hickock.
Holder looks to score with a jab to the body but Hickock is just out of range.
Holder lands a right hook to the body.

Hickock moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hickock throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holder blocks it with crossed arms.
Hickock blocks the elbow strike.
Hickock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickock throws a knee to the head but misses.
A right hand to the body from Hickock.
Hickock avoiding damage as Holder throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Richard Hickock seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hickock misses with the head strike.
Hickock throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Holder blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Holder controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Hickock on the inside.
Hickock looking to throw knees to the head but Holder is blocking nicely.
Holder throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hickock throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holders head.
Holder tries to break the clinch but Hickock is controlling the position.
Hickock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holder takes a shot to the head.
Hickock scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickock with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hickock throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hickock blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Holder manages to break the clinch.
Holder tries to score with a low kick but Hickock moves his leg out of the way.
Holder fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hickock has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holder throws a front kick that sends Hickock stumbling back into the cage.
Holder is looking to slow Hickock down with leg kicks.
Luke Holder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holder thows a body kick. Hickock tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Holder throws out a leg kick but Hickock moves out of range and Holder only half commits.
Hickock moves out of range as Holder throws a body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hickock moves out of range of the body kick.
A low kick from Holder is predictable there
and Hickock counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hickock attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

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 Luke Holder.
I think Hickock has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 47:48
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 47:49
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Hickock!
Richard Hickock is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Richard Hickock made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.