PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between JJ Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxim Shalbovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Shalbovich's choice of entrance music: Funeral of Queen Mary. Maxim Shalbovich has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with JJ Holmes's chin.

Holmes
vs
Shalbovich

190 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 St Petersburg, JJ Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Shalbovich!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shalbovich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holmes circles away.
Shalbovich looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Shalbovich shoots for a double leg takedown but Holmes sprawls well. He's pushed Shalbovich's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shalbovich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Holmes closes the distance and clinches up with Shalbovich, looking for a takedown. Holmes pushes Shalbovich against the cage but Shalbovich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Holmes drives through and clinches with Shalbovich against the cage.

Holmes manages to break the clinch.
Holmes wants to clinch.

Holmes moves into range and clinches up with Shalbovich.
Holmes misses with a knee to the head.
Shalbovich prevents the takedown attempt.
Holmes tries to land knees in the clinch but Shalbovich avoids the damage to the body.
Shalbovich jumps guard but Holmes stands there with Shalbovich around his waist. Shalbovich gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
JJ Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Shalbovich.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes jumps guard but Shalbovich stands there with Holmes around his waist. Holmes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Holmes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holmes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shalbovich gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shalbovich is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holmes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holmes tries to break free but Shalbovich pushes him back against the cage.

Holmes has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shalbovich uses from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Holmes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes 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.
Holmes trying to keep a closed guard but Shalbovich is proving a slippery customer.

Holmes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shalbovich is looking to work some ground and pound but Holmes has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shalbovich sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Holmes's guard.
Holmes flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Shalbovich frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Holmes wants to control but Shalbovich is having none of it.
Shalbovich landing punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shalbovich fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Shalbovich quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Shalbovich but it's paid off an Holmes is forced to tap! Nice work by Shalbovich.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Maxim Shalbovich!
An out of breath Maxim Shalbovich thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.