PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Masa Tata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Holloway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tata
vs
Holloway

170 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

160 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Masa Tata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Max Holloway!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Holloway has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tata blocks an uppercut.
Tata blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tata.
Tata tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tata missing with knees to the body.
Tata is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holloway pushes off an throws an elbow but Tata leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tata looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masa Tata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holloway gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tata.
Tata is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holloway prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Our sources have told us that Tata has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Tata avoids the elbow strike from Holloway, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Holloway.
Holloway tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holloway lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tata has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holloway after a bit of a struggle.
Holloway pushes off an throws an elbow but Tata leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Holloway creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tata blocks the elbow strike.
Holloway lands a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holloway.
Tata is looking to take this one to the mat.
With the fighters up against the cage, Holloway throws an elbow but misses.
Tata dodges an elbow strike from Holloway.

Tata lands a takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tata works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Tata throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Holloway to regain full guard.
Holloway wants to stand and escape but Tata is having none of it.
Holloway keeping moving, preventing Tata from controlling successfully.
Holloway is looking to stand up but Tata isn't so interested in that idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Holloway can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tata trying to control the position from guard on top but Holloway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tata is controlling him.
Tata trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holloway wants to stand but Tata is controlling the position.
Tata trying to control the position from guard on top but Holloway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holloway wants to get back to his feet but Tata is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Masa Tata just wasn't active enough.

Holloway forces Tata back against the cage and clinches.
Holloway is pressed up against the cage. Tata has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holloway down to the mat. Holloway avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Holloway connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've been informed that Holloway has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Max Holloway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Holloway has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tata blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Holloway just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tata's brow.
Tata is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holloway pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holloway.
Holloway is pressed up against the cage. Tata has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holloway down to the mat. Holloway avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Holloway has managed to clinch.
Holloway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tata is defending well for now.
Holloway misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tata.
Holloway misses with an elbow over the top.
A shot in the inside from Holloway.
Holloway creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tata's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tata goes for a takedown attempt but Holloway pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Holloway moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tata avoids the elbow strike from Holloway, against the cage.
Tata is working for takedown but Holloway is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tata misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holloway.
Tata is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holloway looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Holloway lands an elbow inside.
Holloway working aggressively here.
Tata is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tata is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike.
Holloway putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tata in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Holloway swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tata blocks an elbow strike from Holloway.
Holloway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Holloway gets a clinch.
Holloway lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holloway throws a knee to the head but misses.
Holloway with a knee to the head.
Holloway lands an elbow just above Tata 's eye.
Tata is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tata is looking to take this one to the mat.
Holloway creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tata's defenses.
Holloway throws a punch but it's blocked by Tata.
Tata tries to score a body lock takedown but Holloway shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masa Tata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tata blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Holloway using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Holloway lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Holloway lands a nice elbow.
Tata tries for a takedown but Holloway manages to get underhooks.
Holloway misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tata.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tata dodges an elbow strike from Holloway.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Tata.
Tata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway with a knee to the head.
Holloway misses with some punches.
Holloway lands an elbow just above Tata 's eye.
Holloway managing to block the knees to the body from Tata.

Tata has clasped his hands together around Holloway's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Holloway explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Holloway drives through and clinches with Tata against the cage.
Tata tries to score a body lock takedown but Holloway shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tata drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Holloway gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Holloway prevents the takedown attempt.
Tata changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holloway fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Holloway takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holloway lands an elbow that stopped Tata in his tracks for a moment.
Holloway using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tata is working for takedown but Holloway is calmly controlling the position for now.
Holloway with a knee to the head.
Holloway lands a good knee to the midsection. Tata won't want to take too many of those.
Holloway comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tata wants a takedown but no success here.
Holloway lands a knee to the body.
Tata takes an elbow to the temple.
Tata blocking some punches.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Holloway.
Holloway lands a right hand.
Holloway lands a nice knee to the body.
Holloway gets underhooks to prevent Tata's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tata avoids a wild elbow strike from Holloway.
Holloway looking to throw knees to the head but Tata is blocking nicely.
Holloway lands a knee to the head.
Holloway lands an elbow inside.
Holloway lands an elbow inside that Tata shrugs off.
Holloway creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tata's defenses.
Holloway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tata is defending well for now.
Tata wants a takedown but no success here.
Holloway throws an elbow but it misses.
Holloway crunches a lovely knee into Tata's ribcage.
Holloway misses with the head strike.
Holloway lands a nice elbow.
Holloway lands an elbow just above Tata 's eye.
Holloway throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tata blocks it with crossed arms.
Holloway misses with an elbow over the top.
Tata is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Holloway.
Holloway lands an elbow that stopped Tata in his tracks for a moment.
Holloway makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holloway trying to land knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tata goes for a takedown in the clinch but Holloway prevents it.
Holloway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tata takes an elbow to the forehead.
Holloway is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Max Holloway seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Holloway prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Holloway lands a nice knee to the body.
Holloway lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holloway misses with the head strike.
Holloway lands an elbow just above Tata 's eye.
Holloway throws an elbow that misses.
Holloway with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holloway misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tata tries to keep at a distance but Holloway has taken the fight into the clinch.
Holloway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tata is defending well for now.
Tata blocks an elbow strike from Holloway.
Holloway comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tata can't get the takedown.
Tata tries to stall but Holloway uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Holloway utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tata can't get the takedown.
Holloway working Tata over with knees to the body.
Holloway lands an elbow inside.
Holloway tries to land knees in the clinch but Tata avoids the damage to the body.
Tata blocks an elbow strike.
Holloway prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masa Tata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holloway misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tata.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holloway looking to throw knees to the head but Tata is blocking nicely.
Tata blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway pushes Tata back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holloway lands an elbow inside that Tata shrugs off.
Tata changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holloway fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Holloway has taken the fight to the clinch.
Holloway tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tata changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holloway fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Holloway clinches with his opponent.
Holloway misses with an elbow over the top.
Holloway tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tata avoids it.
Holloway unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway working aggressively here.
Tata has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holloway after a bit of a struggle.
Tata avoiding damage as Holloway throws knees to the body.
Tata is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holloway pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holloway lands a nice elbow.
Tata blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tata misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holloway.
Holloway lands a hook that snaps the head of Tata backwards.
Holloway throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tata blocks it with crossed arms.
Holloway lands an elbow inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tata changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holloway fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Holloway throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway has a couple of punches blocked by Tata.
Tata avoids a wild elbow strike from Holloway.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holloway.
Holloway prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tata blocking some punches.
Tata is trying to stall.
Holloway throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Holloway.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tata is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Holloway is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Holloway avoiding damage as Tata throws knees to the body.
Holloway misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tata.
Tata blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tata dodges an elbow strike from Holloway.
Tata wants to take the fight to the mat but Holloway manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Holloway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tata is defending well for now.
Holloway misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holloway avoiding damage as Tata throws knees to the body.
Holloway is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tata is defending well for now.
Holloway tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tata is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Holloway gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Holloway unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tata lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tata takes an elbow to the temple.
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!
Tata blocks an elbow strike from Holloway.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Still in the clinch, Holloway scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tata drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holloway looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Holloway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holloway winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Holloway!