PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Morten Joikhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: SBB - Memento z banalnym tryptykiem. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jon Holmes was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Joikhaaja
vs
Holmes

173 cm
25
185 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

190 cm
33
198 lbs
13 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Morten Joikhaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jon Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joikhaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Holmes tries to sprawl out of it but Joikhaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holmes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Joikhaaja. No joy for Holmes on that attempt.
Holmes keeps the fight on the outside.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.

Joikhaaja looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Holmes pulls Joikhaaja in close to prevent any damage.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of elbows.
Joikhaaja landing some decent shots from guard.
Holmes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joikhaaja stands up over Holmes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joikhaaja distracts Holmes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Joikhaaja is working Holmes over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holmes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja throws a big elbow that misses.
Holmes pulls Joikhaaja in close to prevent any damage.
Holmes controls Joikhaaja momentarily but Joikhaaja frees himself.
Holmes pulls Joikhaaja in close to prevent any damage.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holmes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Holmes is trying to control the position but Joikhaaja postures up.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joikhaaja postures up in Holmes's guard and throws a big left but Holmes blocks it.
Joikhaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Joikhaaja preventing the sweep.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holmes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Joikhaaja scoring with some ground and pound.
Joikhaaja is fighting to break Holmes's control of his arms but Holmes is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Holmes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Holmes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holmes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Holmes blocks nicely.
Joikhaaja landing with the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja postures up.
Joikhaaja 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 pulls Joikhaaja in close to prevent any damage.
Joikhaaja slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Joikhaaja throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Holmes felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Joikhaaja cracks Holmes with a big right hand but Holmes just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Holmes is looking to regain half guard here but Joikhaaja keeps moving and retains side control.
Holmes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Joikhaaja's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja is thwarting Holmes's attempts to control the position.
Joikhaaja drops an elbow to the side of Holmes's head.
Joikhaaja not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Joikhaaja missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Joikhaaja connects with a nice short shot to Holmes's temple.
Holmes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joikhaaja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Joikhaaja working over Holmes with some ground and pound. Holmes looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Holmes keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joikhaaja tries to pass to full mount but Holmes defends it.
Joikhaaja thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Holmes's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Joikhaaja shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Holmes desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Holmes has hold of Joikhaaja's hands but Joikhaaja slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Holmes is rocked!
Morten Joikhaaja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Holmes wants to get back to full guard.
Joikhaaja missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joikhaaja not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Holmes tries to kick Joikhaaja off but Joikhaaja keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja throwing shots but Holmes is blocking nicely.
Joikhaaja is thwarting Holmes's attempts to control the position.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Holmes taking some punishment here, with Joikhaaja in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Joikhaaja is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Holmes tries to roll over but Joikhaaja keeps him under control.
Holmes wants to control but Joikhaaja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Joikhaaja thows a huge punch but Holmes dodges it nicely.
Joikhaaja working Holmes over with strikes.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Joikhaaja working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Holmes is still in real trouble! Can Joikhaaja finish him?
Joikhaaja lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Joikhaaja sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Holmes defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Holmes seems to have recovered his senses.
Holmes wants to control but Joikhaaja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Holmes has hold of Joikhaaja's hands but Joikhaaja slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Joikhaaja not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Holmes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Holmes keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nice strikes from Joikhaaja there.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Joikhaaja throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Holmes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control here.
Joikhaaja throwing shots but Holmes is blocking nicely.
Joikhaaja throwing shots but Holmes is blocking nicely.
Joikhaaja winds up and cracks Holmes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Joikhaaja is nestled in close to Holmes, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Joikhaaja is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Holmes is looking to improve his position.
Joikhaaja working Holmes over with strikes.
Joikhaaja lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Joikhaaja missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joikhaaja working the head and body with strikes.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Holmes trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joikhaaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Holmes trying to control here.
Joikhaaja lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Holmes wants to improve his position but Joikhaaja is controlling well.
Ground and pound from Joikhaaja.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holmes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Joikhaaja.
Joikhaaja trying to pass the guard but Holmes defending well.
Joikhaaja winds up and cracks Holmes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morten Joikhaaja dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Joikhaaja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holmes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holmes goes for a double leg but Joikhaaja avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Joikhaaja continues to drive forward.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown but Holmes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Holmes misses with a series of wild punches.
Joikhaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Holmes tries to sprawl out of it but Joikhaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holmes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Joikhaaja is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Holmes's half guard.
Holmes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Joikhaaja.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joikhaaja missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joikhaaja thows a huge punch but Holmes dodges it nicely.
Joikhaaja thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Holmes's head.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Joikhaaja lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Holmes keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Joikhaaja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Joikhaaja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holmes can do to turn this around?
Holmes wants to improve his position but Joikhaaja is controlling well.
Holmes wants to control but Joikhaaja is keeping busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Holmes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Holmes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Joikhaaja.
Holmes pulls Joikhaaja in close to his closed guard and prevents Joikhaaja from doing any damage or advancing position.
Joikhaaja stopping the sweep attempt from Holmes.

That's two 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joikhaaja accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Joikhaaja makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Holmes is controlling Joikhaaja's posture.
Holmes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of digs.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Holmes holds on and takes a little breather.
Joikhaaja with a nice head shot there.
Holmes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Holmes blocks nicely.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holmes is trying to control the position but Joikhaaja postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Holmes holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holmes.
A combination from Holmes does no damage.
Holmes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Joikhaaja closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Holmes to the mat! Holmes manages to get full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Joikhaaja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Joikhaaja won't allow Holmes to sweep him here.
Joikhaaja with a nice head shot there.
Joikhaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Joikhaaja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Joikhaaja stands up over Holmes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Holmes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Joikhaaja gets to his feet and stands over Holmes, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Holmes felt that one! Joikhaaja unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Holmes from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Morten Joikhaaja!
Jon Holmes was interviewed post fight and said 'You know, shit happens...'.