PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vernon Mcfarland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zangar Holdsteid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mcfarland
vs
Holdsteid

204 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vernon Mcfarland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zangar Holdsteid!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holdsteid throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mcfarland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A head kick misses from Holdsteid.
Mcfarland shoots in but Holdsteid avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mcfarland shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holdsteid sprawls well. Holdsteid wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mcfarland gets slowly back to his feet.
Mcfarland moves in looking to clinch but Holdsteid pushes him off.

Holdsteid clinches.
Mcfarland is stalling here.
Mcfarland tries to pull guard but Holdsteid won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Mcfarland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Mcfarland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Holdsteid walks away with a smile on his face. Mcfarland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Holdsteid shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mcfarland shoots in looking for a takedown but Holdsteid manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mcfarland's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Holdsteid shoots in for a takedown but Mcfarland shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Holdsteid misses with a takedown attempt - Mcfarland sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Holdsteid fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holdsteid darts in and clinches Mcfarland up against the cage.

Mcfarland pulls guard.
Holdsteid engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mcfarland will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Holdsteid passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mcfarland's face as Holdsteid controls the position.

Holdsteid wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mcfarland, who protects the arm well.

Holdsteid decides to stand back up.
Holdsteid tries to clinch there but Mcfarland circles away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Holdsteid decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Holdsteid looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mcfarland!

Holdsteid thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Holdsteid lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holdsteid wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mcfarland keeps working.
Holdsteid working the ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfarland trying to remain calm as Holdsteid controls from the top position.
Holdsteid should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
The ground and pound from Holdsteid seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Holdsteid is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mcfarland's shoulder. That is not cool.
Mcfarland struggling a bit here.

Holdsteid is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mcfarland is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Holdsteid controlling the position.
Zangar Holdsteid has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland wants to get back to his feet but Holdsteid is dominant here and he's now got Mcfarland's back!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holdsteid trying to control momentarily.
Mcfarland controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Holdsteid is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holdsteid is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Mcfarland knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Mcfarland for a finish.
Holdsteid is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Mcfarland. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

Mcfarland is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Holdsteid working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Mcfarland is doing well to defend. Holdsteid seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Mcfarland is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Zangar Holdsteid!