PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Janis Lusis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes has chosen F.A.M.E as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lusis
vs
Holmes

199 cm
27
210 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

189 cm
26
221 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fight Club Clothing est. 09™
Fight Club Clothing est. 09™

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 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Janis Lusis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rodney Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes works Lusis's body with a nice hook.
A jab from Holmes does it's job there.
Holmes tries to land a leg kick but Lusis saw it coming and moves away.
Holmes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lusis tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Holmes is able to avoid easily.
Holmes leaves Lusis with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Holmes throws a lazy right hand but Lusis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Holmes tries to clinch up but Lusis circles away and keeps his distance.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Lusis misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lusis was well out of range. Poor timing from Holmes.
Lusis moves out of range of the strikes.
Holmes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lusis looks to land a combination but Holmes avoids it well.
Holmes fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lusis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holmes.
Lusis works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lusis scores with a jab to the head.
Holmes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from Holmes misses.

Lusis clinches up against the cage.
Lusis throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lusis prevents a body shot from Holmes.
Lusis stalls.
Holmes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lusis content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lusis is trying to stall.
Holmes tries to work over Lusis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Holmes misses with a punch to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lusis misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lusis.
Lusis can't find room to land a body shot as Holmes controls the action.
Holmes throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lusis.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lusis - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lusis goes for a takedown attempt but Holmes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lusis lands with an overhand left.
Holmes throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Holmes lands with a nice body punch.
Holmes throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Holmes misses with a kick to the body.
Lusis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holmes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lusis.
Holmes ducks under a wild hook from Lusis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Holmes.
Rodney Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lusis swings for the body but Holmes moves out of range.
Holmes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lusis moves away.
Lusis throws a looping overhand right but Holmes ducks down to avoid it.
Holmes lands a body shot.
Holmes misses the jab.
Lusis checks a leg kick.
Lusis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holmes throws a low kick, looking for Lusis's leg but Lusis calmly moves out of range.
Holmes throws a sloppy head kick and Lusis moves out of range easily.
Lusis wants to land a leg kick but Holmes is out of range.
Lusis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lusis will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Holmes tries to clinch up.
Holmes sizes up Lusis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A big left from Lusis misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lusis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Holmes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lusis smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holmes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lusis.
Holmes throws a low kick, looking for Lusis's leg but Lusis calmly moves out of range.
Lusis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lusis swings for the body but Holmes moves out of range.
Lusis thuds his right hand into Holmes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Holmes throws a low kick but Lusis avoids it.
A big left from Holmes misses.
Lusis blocks a head kick by Holmes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lusis 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 Holmes has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Holmes and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes loads up on a big right hand but Lusis slips the punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Holmes misses the target.
Holmes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Holmes lands a slapping body shot.
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 Janis Lusis will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holmes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Holmes doesn't manage to clinch there - Lusis circles away.
Lusis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holmes throws a head kick that misses.
Lusis lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lusis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holmes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Holmes throws a body punch but Lusis moves out of range.
Holmes misses with a low kick.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lusis throws a low kick but Holmes avoids it.
Holmes bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Holmes connects with a body shot.
Lusis is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Holmes scores with a nice right hand.
Lusis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Decent striking displayed by Holmes there.
Lusis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes throws a leg kick which misses Lusis's front leg but catches the back leg as Lusis tries to avoid it.

Lusis moves into the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Holmes.
Holmes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lusis backwards.
A hook to the body from Lusis.
Holmes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lusis struggles to land a body shot inside as Holmes controls his hands.
Holmes misses with the head strike.
Holmes avoiding damage as Lusis throws knees to the body.
Holmes blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Holmes.
Holmes throws a head punch that misses.
Holmes letting Lusis take a breather here.
Good body shot from Holmes.
Knees to the body from Lusis.
Holmes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lusis's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holmes being controlled against the cage.
Lusis trying to land knees to the body.
Lusis tries for a takedown but Holmes manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janis Lusis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lusis.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Holmes - that landed with a thud.
Holmes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lusis up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lusis.
Lusis is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Holmes stalling in the clinch but Lusis improves position.
Lusis makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holmes.
Holmes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holmes trying to land knees to the body.
Holmes tries to land a knee to the head but Lusis blocks with his arms.
Lusis working Holmes over with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Holmes - that landed with a thud.
Holmes tries a body shot but Lusis blocks it.
Holmes tries to work over Lusis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lusis works on Holmes's body with a couple of short punches.
Holmes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lusis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Holmes pushes Lusis back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rodney Holmes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lusis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holmes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holmes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lusis landing knees to the head.
Lusis wants to take the fight to the mat but Holmes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes struggles to land a body shot inside as Lusis controls his hands.
Holmes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lusis stalls.
Lusis tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
Holmes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lusis backwards.
Lusis lands a good knee to the midsection. Holmes won't want to take too many of those.
Holmes swings wildly with an uppercut but Lusis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lusis lands with a left to the head.
Lusis leaning against his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes misses with a punch to the body.
Lusis looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rodney Holmes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lusis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lusis thows a leg kick but Holmes checks it
and Holmes counters with a head kick. That will keep Lusis thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lusis takes a jab right on the kisser.
Holmes staying out of range there.
Holmes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lusis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holmes throws a lazy right hand but Lusis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Holmes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lusis.
Rodney Holmes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Holmes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holmes moves in looking to clinch but Lusis pushes him off.
Holmes throws an off balance right hand
and Lusis counters with an outside leg kick.
Lusis fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Lusis gets tackled into the cage by Holmes. Holmes maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lusis.
Lusis missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lusis connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Rodney Holmes has been cut.
Holmes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lusis can't find room to land a body shot as Holmes controls the action.
Lusis misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Holmes fails to land.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lusis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holmes is defending well for now.
Good body shot from Lusis.
Holmes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lusis tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Lusis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holmes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holmes blocks a body shot from Lusis.
Lusis blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holmes struggles to land a body shot inside as Lusis controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lusis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holmes's elbow.
Lusis trying to land knees to the body.
Holmes swings wildly with an uppercut but Lusis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holmes scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holmes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lusis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lusis lands an uppercut.
Lusis prevents a body shot from Holmes.
Holmes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

It looks like Janis Lusis has been cut.
Holmes blocks a body shot from Lusis.
Holmes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holmes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holmes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holmes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holmes misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Holmes fails to land.
Lusis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holmes is keeping busy.
Lusis tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Lusis is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Holmes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Holmes.
A left hand lands to the body for Holmes.
Lusis tries to throw a body punch but Holmes avoids it by throwing Lusis back against the cage.
Holmes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lusis backwards.
Holmes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hand to the body from Holmes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holmes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lusis backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Holmes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lusis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holmes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Holmes.
Holmes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lusis backwards.
Holmes leaning his opponent against the cage.
Holmes working aggressively here.
Holmes taking a breather.
Lusis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holmes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holmes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Holmes lands a nice shot to the body.
Lusis has Holmes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holmes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janis Lusis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lusis.
Holmes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Holmes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Holmes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodney Holmes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holmes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodney Holmes!
A very excited looking Rodney Holmes rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.