PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asano Arai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arai comes to the cage accompanied by Fantastic Baby - BIG BANG. Holmes has chosen Muse: MK Ultra as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Arai
vs
Holmes

200 cm
28
225 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

190 cm
30
212 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Devotion Energy Inc (Laundry 15% Fee)
Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Asano Arai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arai swats away the attempt to clinch by Holmes.
James Holmes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Arai throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Holmes checks a leg kick.

Arai throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Holmes was covering up waiting for the punch and Arai finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Arai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Holmes is pulling down on Arai's head to control his posture.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arai makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holmes pulls Arai in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Arai wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.
Holmes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Holmes pulls Arai in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. James Holmes was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Holmes moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

It looks like James Holmes has been cut.
Arai misses the shot to the body.
Holmes lands a glancing blow to the side of Arai's head.

Arai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Holmes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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!
Holmes is looking for a sweep.
Arai in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

Arai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Arai.
Holmes is not content to let Arai control the position.
Arai controls the position.
Holmes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Holmes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Holmes is trying to get back to half guard.

Arai is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holmes has escaped the position, nice work there.
Holmes is trying to control Arai's posture but Arai avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Arai haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sloppy strikes there by Arai.
Arai scores with punches from side control.
Holmes is trying to control Arai's posture but Arai avoids it.
Holmes manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Holmes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Arai trying to hold on to Holmes's head to control him but Holmes postures up.
Arai is doing well to control the position and prevent Holmes from advancing to side control.
Arai is trying to control but can't.
Arai taking some punishment here, with Holmes in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Arai is trying to get back to full guard.
Holmes is trying to control. Arai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Holmes.
Arai wants to control but Holmes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Holmes working Arai over with strikes.
Holmes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Holmes is keen to just control but Arai is a slippery customer.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Holmes working his ground and pound in the gym.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes controlling the action here.
Holmes is nestled in close to Arai, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asano Arai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Holmes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holmes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Arai has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Holmes.
That kick from Holmes tenderised Arai's leg. Arai is trying to keep his angry face on.

Arai closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Holmes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Holmes is trying to get back to half guard.
Holmes is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Holmes is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Holmes controlling the position well.

Arai is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Holmes is just riding it out for now. Arai eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes tries to get to full guard but Arai has control of the leg.
Arai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Holmes is positioning himself well to prevent Arai advancing to mount.
Holmes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Arai's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Arai's back!
Arai has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Holmes lands punches and elbows.
Holmes keeps control of the position as Arai tries to break free.
Holmes has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Arai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arai is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Holmes throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Holmes missing with strikes.
Holmes trying to control momentarily.
Holmes throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arai rolls, trying to escape but Holmes keeps control of the position.
Arai turns into Holmes and is now in his guard.
Arai trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James Holmes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Holmes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Arai throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Arai trying to control but Holmes is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Arai throws a wild body kick that Holmes sees coming a mile off.
Arai thows a leg kick but Holmes checks it
and Holmes counters with a nice leg kick.
Arai with a nice cross.
A jab lands there for Arai.
Arai misses the shot to the body.

Arai gets a double leg takedown into Holmes's guard.
Holmes has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Arai content to stall in guard here.
Arai trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arai throwing strikes from guard but Holmes blocks nicely.
Holmes trying to control the position here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Holmes tries to clinch up but Arai circles away and keeps his distance.
Holmes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Holmes throws a leg kick that is checked
and Arai counters with a body kick that stops Holmes in his tracks momentarily.
Arai tries for a takedown but Holmes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Arai.
Asano Arai is winning the standup battle so far.
Holmes tries to work over Arai's front leg with a kick but Arai checks it.
Holmes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Arai throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Holmes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James Holmes's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A jab from Holmes finds it's way through Arai's defenses.
Holmes throws a nice outside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Holmes.
Arai tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Holmes defends well and Arai ends up having to push Holmes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Holmes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Arai is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Holmes is defending well.
Holmes can't break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Arai.
Arai is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asano Arai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holmes lands a nice shot to the body.
Arai is trying to drag Holmes to the mat but Holmes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holmes is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holmes wants to get back to striking at distance but Arai won't allow it.
A short right from Arai on the inside.
Arai wants to take the fight to the mat but Holmes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Arai tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Arai.
Holmes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Arai.
Arai working aggressively here.
Arai wants a takedown but no success here.
Arai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Holmes working aggressively here.
Arai lands a hook that snaps the head of Holmes backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Arai.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Holmes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holmes stalks Arai and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Arai's face. Arai staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arai on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Holmes. Holmes obviously looking to wear him down.
Holmes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Arai backs up against the cage.

Arai is rocked!
Holmes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oh Arai is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Arai lands with a slapping head kick.

Arai rushes Holmes and presses him up against the cage.
Arai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Holmes is leaning against Arai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Holmes manages to break the clinch.

Holmes has closed the distance and engaged Arai in a clinch.
Holmes lands an uppercut.

Holmes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Arai throws a sloppy head kick
and Holmes counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). James Holmes!
After the big win, James Holmes made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Just Fight (Everything 7$) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.