PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Will Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Friemal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Holmes
vs
Friemal

189 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jason Friemal!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Friemal is looking to clinch.
Holmes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Friemal paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Friemal takes the fight into the clinch.
Holmes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Friemal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holmes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Friemal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Holmes prevents the takedown attempt.
Holmes is trying to stall.
Friemal looking to throw knees to the head but Holmes is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Friemal is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holmes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Friemal gets underhooks to prevent Holmes's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Friemal 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 one minute gone in the round.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holmes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Friemal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Holmes tries to pull guard but Friemal won't allow it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holmes.

Holmes pulls guard effortlessly.
Friemal showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Holmes looking for a sweep. Not yet Holmes, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Friemal controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Holmes had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Friemal is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Holmes Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Friemal's back instead.

Holmes goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Friemal escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Friemal passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Holmes!
Friemal controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes working to try and regain half guard.
Friemal controlling his opponent.
Holmes is squirming around, avoiding Friemal's attempts to control the action.
Friemal controlling from mount.
Holmes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holmes is working hard here to advance position.
Holmes is squirming around, avoiding Friemal's attempts to control the action.
Friemal looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Holmes is trying to reverse the position but instead Friemal has taken his back - oops!
What can Holmes do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Despite being in the dominant position, Jason Friemal just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Holmes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Holmes shoots in but no luck this time.
Friemal fails in his attempt to clinch.

Holmes pushes Friemal up against the cage in a clinch.

Friemal tightens his grip and picks Holmes up, before dumping him to the ground. Holmes manages to land in guard.
Friemal being controlled here momentarily.
Friemal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Friemal from controlling successfully.
Friemal slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Friemal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Holmes goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Holmes tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Friemal counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Holmes wants to improve his position but Friemal is controlling well.
Holmes trying to hold on to Friemal's head to control him but Friemal postures up.
Holmes is not content to let Friemal control the position.
Holmes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Friemal's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Friemal's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A lull in the action here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Friemal defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Friemal trying to control the action but Holmes just sinks the hooks in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes struggling to keep hold of the position.

Holmes is persistently looking for the submission but Friemal is defending it well.
Friemal looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Friemal tries to escape but Holmes has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Holmes slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Holmes is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Holmes trying to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Holmes is persistently looking for the submission but Friemal is defending it well.

Holmes is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Friemal just trying to survive but Holmes is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Holmes has the hooks in. Friemal is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Friemal trying to survive by controlling the hands.
Friemal trying to control the position but Holmes manages to sink in the hooks.

Holmes working for the choke.

Holmes tightening his grip on Friemal, looking for the choke.
Friemal rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Friemal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Friemal keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes tries to free his leg and advance position but Friemal is retaining full guard.
Friemal pulls Holmes in close to prevent any damage.
Friemal not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Holmes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Friemal's guard.

Holmes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Friemal manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Holmes has Friemal in his guard.
Friemal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holmes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Friemal slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Friemal stopping the sweep attempt from Holmes.
Friemal is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Friemal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holmes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Friemal is one step ahead there.
Friemal pushes down on Holmes's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Holmes is pressing down on Friemal's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Friemal 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!

Holmes closes the distance and clinches.
Holmes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Friemal just stands there and leans against the cage.
Friemal can't break the clinch.
Friemal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holmes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holmes landing knees to the body.
Holmes scores a nice knee to the body.
Holmes is working for takedown but Friemal is calmly controlling the position for now.
Friemal prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Friemal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Holmes works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Friemal wants to sweep but no luck.
Holmes trying to control but Friemal is working from the bottom.
Friemal keeping full guard, as Holmes tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friemal keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.
Holmes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Holmes postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Holmes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Friemal counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Friemal letting Holmes take a breather here.

Holmes jumps guard and drags Friemal to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Jason Friemal has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Friemal from controlling successfully.
Friemal passes Holmes's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Friemal stalling.

Holmes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holmes is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friemal slows the pace down in half guard.

Despite being in the dominant position, Jason Friemal just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Friemal throws a head kick but Holmes moves out of range.
Holmes is looking to clinch but Friemal is avoiding it.

Friemal decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Holmes is looking to improve his position.
Friemal is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Let's hope that Friemal has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to improve his position but Friemal is controlling well.
Holmes gets full guard.
Friemal is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Holmes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Friemal drops back looking for a leg! Holmes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Holmes manages to kick Friemal off! Friemal jumps back into Holmes's guard.
Friemal wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.
Holmes keeping full guard, as Friemal tries to pass.
Will Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Friemal manages to get himself to full guard.

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 Will Holmes.
I think Friemal 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Friemal!