PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akisame Koetsuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Holmes
vs
Koetsuji

181 cm
22
166 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

182 cm
28
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Red Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akisame Koetsuji!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koetsuji throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holmes's waist but Holmes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koetsuji off to one side.

Koetsuji forces Holmes back against the cage and clinches.
Holmes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Koetsuji blocks an elbow strike.
Koetsuji tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Holmes smiles and moves away.
Koetsuji tries a head kick but it misses.
Koetsuji throws a lazy uppercut

and Holmes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Koetsuji tries for a takedown but Holmes manages to get underhooks.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akisame Koetsuji.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Koetsuji up against the cage.
Koetsuji is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Holmes to keep the fight standing.
Holmes lands an elbow just above Koetsuji 's eye.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Koetsuji is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Koetsuji swings wildly with an uppercut but Holmes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Koetsuji avoids a wild elbow strike from Holmes.
Koetsuji drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Holmes gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is trying to stall.
Koetsuji tries to pull guard but Holmes won't allow it.
Holmes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Koetsuji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Koetsuji fails to pull guard.
Holmes looking to slow down the pace here.
Koetsuji tries to pull guard but Holmes holds him up against the cage and eventually Koetsuji drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Holmes pressing his opponent against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Holmes taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Holmes is trying to maintain the position but Koetsuji is very close to passing his half guard.
Koetsuji perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Koetsuji looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Koetsuji keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Koetsuji forces Holmes back against the cage and clinches.
Koetsuji misses with the head strike.
Holmes trying to control the position but instead, Koetsuji has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holmes into the cage.
Holmes misses with an elbow strike.
Holmes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Koetsuji's coach down at Den of Tears (22 coaches, $250 fee) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Koetsuji's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Holmes avoiding damage.
Holmes blocking some punches.
Koetsuji has Holmes pushed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Koetsuji tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Koetsuji throws a head punch that misses.
Holmes stalling against the cage.
Koetsuji fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Koetsuji doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Koetsuji gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Holmes regains guard.
Koetsuji throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koetsuji accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Holmes can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Koetsuji controls the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koetsuji accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Koetsuji postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koetsuji's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Koetsuji drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koetsuji jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koetsuji forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Koetsuji is trying to work for a kimura but Holmes is defending well.
Holmes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koetsuji on the ground.
Koetsuji is trying to control the action in half guard but Holmes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Koetsuji wants to pass the guard but Holmes is defending well.
Nice strikes from Koetsuji there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Koetsuji is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Holmes sees it coming and defends easily.

Koetsuji is looking for a kimura but Holmes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koetsuji to get the leverage.
Holmes tries to roll over but Koetsuji keeps him under control.

Koetsuji is trying to work for a kimura but Holmes is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koetsuji takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koetsuji trying to control the action but Holmes is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Holmes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Koetsuji throws a big shot that misses.
Koetsuji tries to work over Holmes's front leg with a kick but Holmes checks it.

Koetsuji feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Holmes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koetsuji postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koetsuji wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.
Koetsuji might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Holmes haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Holmes can't keep his opponent in guard - Koetsuji advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koetsuji is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Holmes is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Akisame Koetsuji!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Akisame Koetsuji made sure he mentioned CEC Nutrition Q160, along with how happy he was to win his fight.