PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donnie Holnick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rua kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is drop the world. The key to victory for Rickson Rua has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rua
vs
Holnick

185 cm
28
200 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

180 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

Hellraiser Fightgear (10$ clothing SALE)

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rickson Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donnie Holnick!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua cracks Holnick with a good jab.
Rua misses with a hook. Holnick ducked under it nicely.
Rua misses with a combination
and Holnick counters with an inside leg kick.
Rua scores with a nice head shot.
Rua tries to bum rush Holnick with a series of wild strikes but Holnick uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holnick misses with a straight left.
Holnick closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Holnick is rocked!
A punch combination from Rua misses.
Holnick is still on wobbly legs! Can Rua finish him?
Holnick blocks a jab.
Holnick seems to have recovered his senses.
Rua looks to land a combination but Holnick avoids it well.
Rua misses with a combination
and Holnick counters with a body kick.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Holnick counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rua's knee momentarily.
Rua throws a right and a left that Holnick avoids nicely.
Holnick throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rua sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holnick.
Holnick jabs at Rua's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rua lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Holnick circles away quickly and effectively.
Rua lands with a right hand.
Holnick scores with a leg kick.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Holnick moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Holnick throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Holnick shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A combination from Rua does no damage.
Rua on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holnick.
Holnick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rua's waist but Rua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holnick off to one side.

Holnick throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rua tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Holnick is in Rua's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rua keeping full guard, as Holnick tries to pass.

Rua is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rua working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Holnick doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Holnick manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holnick chips away with some ground and pound.

Rua is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rua escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holnick gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Holnick wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.

Rua is looking for a triangle but Holnick pushes his legs off easily.

Rua looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holnick wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Holnick got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rua has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holnick has managed to get both his arms back between Rua's legs - danger averted.

Rua has his foot on Holnick's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Holnick works his way back into a safe position though.

Rua looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rua throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rua had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Holnick defends it easily.
Holnick scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rua is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holnick defends well.

Rua looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Holnick is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Holnick wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Holnick sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rua's guard.
Rua works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holnick pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rua is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rua throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Holnick escapes and throws Rua's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Rua tries to buck Holnick off but Holnick is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Rua dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rua jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rua stalks Holnick and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Holnick's face. Holnick staggers backwards, shaken.
Rua lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Holnick circles away quickly and effectively.
A lazy left from Rua finds it's target.
Rua missing with a left hand there. Holnick was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rickson Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Holnick uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rua misses with a wild combination.
Rua misses with a series of wild punches.
Holnick scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rua swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rua throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rickson Rua is winning the standup battle so far.
Rua will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rua misses with a combination
and Holnick counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rua sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Holnick throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rickson Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holnick feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rua's calf.

Holnick drives through with a takedown into guard.
Holnick stands and throws Rua's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Holnick wants to control but Rua is keeping him busy.
Rua taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rua tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Holnick wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Holnick landing a few strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holnick has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Rua!
Rua is looking to get to half guard.
Rua is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is squirming around, avoiding Holnick's attempts to control the action.
Rua can't escape the position.
Rua is in a horrible position here. Holnick smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Holnick prevents Rua from getting the reversal.
Holnick controlling the position easily from mount.
Rua is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holnick looking for a guillotine from mount but Rua is having none of it.
Rua is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Donnie Holnick has got the better of the ground game so far.
Holnick lands a big shot there that rocks Rua but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holnick wants to control the pace but Rua is squirming around nicely.

Holnick is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rua has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Holnick is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rua has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rua gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Donnie Holnick will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rua keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Holnick.
Holnick looks to land a combination but Rua avoids it well.
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
Holnick is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.
Rua is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Holnick with a hook.
Rua tries to bum rush Holnick with a series of wild strikes but Holnick uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rua misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sloppy strikes from Rua. Those never looked like landing.
Holnick throws a head kick that half lands.
Danga de danga de dang - Rua scores with a four punch combination!
Jab from Holnick.
Holnick dodges the punch combination from Rua.
Holnick lands a jab to Rua's midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Rua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Holnick tests Rua's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rua scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holnick scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Holnick counters with a leg kick.
Holnick scores with a nice strike.
Holnick lands with a nice body kick.
Holnick connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back.
A solid body kick from Holnick.
Holnick lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rua's sensitive parts.
Rickson Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good standup being displayed there by Holnick as he connects with a hook.
Holnick feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rua's calf.
A punch lands to the side of Rua 's head but he takes it in his stride.
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!
Holnick tests Rua's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rua is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Holnick misses with a looping left.
A nice inside leg kick there by Holnick. That's going to slow Rua down.
Rua takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Rua misses.
Rua moves out of range of the strikes.
Rua moves out of range as Holnick throws a body kick.
Rua misses with a series of wild punches.
Rua looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Holnick steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rua.
Rua takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Holnick throws a chopping leg kick but Rua manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Holnick showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rua.
Holnick dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rua. That did some damage!
Rua throws a right and a left that Holnick avoids nicely.
Rua misses with a series of wild punches.
Rua throws a combination that misses
and Holnick counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Holnick shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rua is trying to defend but Holnick finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua wants to get back to full guard.
Holnick passes to full mount!
Holnick prevents Rua from getting the reversal.

Holnick has control of Rua's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rua regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Rua is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holnick avoids the attempt from Rua to control.
Rua is working to get back to half guard.
Holnick with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rua can't escape the position.
Holnick lands with some strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holnick trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rua is desperately trying to improve his position but Holnick has a good base and remains in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie Holnick comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holnick 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie Holnick!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Donnie Holnick made sure he mentioned Real Fighters Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.