PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Holt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matsui Takamatsu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holt comes to the cage accompanied by Brooklyn Nine-Nine Theme Song. Takamatsu has chosen Dogs of War as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Holt
vs
Takamatsu

175 cm
30
167 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

165 cm
24
146 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Raymond Holt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Matsui Takamatsu!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takamatsu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holt.
Holt moves out of range of the body kick from Takamatsu.
An attempted straight right counter from Holt misses the target.
Holt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takamatsu.

Takamatsu gets tackled into the cage by Holt. Holt maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holt.

Holt breaks from the clinch.
Takamatsu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Holt connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takamatsu scrambles back to his feet.
Holt rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Takamatsu counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Holt!
Takamatsu tries to move to mount but Holt blocks the move with his legs.
Holt being controlled for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Holt's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takamatsu is looking to take a break and control but Holt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takamatsu tries to advance to mount but can't.
Holt is trying to improve his position.
Holt can't do much from the bottom here.
Takamatsu trying to control the position but Holt is working away.
Takamatsu misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Holt manages to work his way to half guard, despite Takamatsu's best efforts.

Holt kicks Takamatsu off and gets back to his feet.
Holt scores with the left hand. Takamatsu knows he should have avoided that one.
Takamatsu darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Holt walks into a jab.
Takamatsu throws a body kick that misses.
Holt throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circling - Holt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takamatsu with the counter takedown but Holt avoids it easily.
Holt throws a nice looking combination but Takamatsu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Takamatsu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holt at a distance.
Holt tries to clinch but Takamatsu moves out of range.
Takamatsu lands a right hook to the body.
Takamatsu paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Holt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takamatsu jabs Holt right on the nose. Holt blinks but takes it well.
Raymond Holt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holt avoids a kick to the body.
Takamatsu tries to score with a low kick but Holt moves his leg out of the way.
Holt takes a swing at Takamatsu's ribcage but misses.
Holt swings for the body but Takamatsu moves out of range.
Holt stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Holt misses with an uppercut.
Holt lands a jab to Takamatsu's midsection.
Takamatsu scores with a decent looking hook.
Takamatsu scoring well with a low kick there.
Holt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takamatsu.
Holt avoids the body shot from Takamatsu.
Holt throws a series of punches but Takamatsu avoids them all with ease.
Jab by Takamatsu.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holt looks to land a combination but Takamatsu avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Takamatsu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Takamatsu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holt.
Takamatsu with the counter takedown but Holt avoids it easily.
A jab from Takamatsu misses.
It looked like Holt wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Holt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Holt clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Holt fails to land.
Takamatsu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holt has a couple of punches blocked by Takamatsu.
Holt misses with a punch on the inside.
Holt misses with the head strike.

Takamatsu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takamatsu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Holt.
We've been told by Holt's head coaches at London MMA Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Holt moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Takamatsu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Takamatsu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takamatsu! But no joy.
Holt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takamatsu.
Holt throws a shot from downtown. Takamatsu moves away and avoids it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takamatsu.
Takamatsu misses with a low kick.
Holt throws a right hand that Takamatsu ducks under and follows up with a left that Takamatsu also avoids with ease.
Takamatsu doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Holt tries to bum rush Takamatsu with a series of wild strikes but Takamatsu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Takamatsu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takamatsu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Takamatsu lands with a good body shot.
Holt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takamatsu can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Holt.
Holt misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Takamatsu counters with an outside leg kick.
Takamatsu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holt throws out the jab.
Takamatsu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takamatsu lands a front kick.
Takamatsu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holt takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holt throws a jab but it's blocked by Takamatsu.
Takamatsu throws a nice looking combination but Holt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holt was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Good shot there by Holt.
Takamatsu lunges at Holt with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Holt's hand.
Takamatsu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Takamatsu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice shot lands for Takamatsu.
Takamatsu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takamatsu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Takamatsu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Takamatsu looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Takamatsu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt moves in looking to clinch but Takamatsu pushes him off.
Takamatsu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Holt throws an overhand right that lands on Takamatsu's shoulder, as Takamatsu tries to avoid the shot.
Takamatsu throws a leg kick but Holt sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Holt lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Takamatsu connects with a solid leg kick.
Takamatsu throws a looping overhand right but Holt ducks down to avoid it.
Holt is looking to counter punch.
Holt swings for the body but Takamatsu moves out of range.
Takamatsu scores with a shot to the body.
Takamatsu tries a low kick but Holt avoids it.
Holt with a hook.
Holt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Takamatsu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt moves out of range of the body kick from Takamatsu.
Raymond Holt is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Takamatsu misses.
Takamatsu misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Holt misses.
Holt misses with a wild body shot.
Holt lands a body shot.
Holt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Takamatsu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Holt lands a nice hook to Takamatsu's body. Takamatsu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Holt on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Holt is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Takamatsu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takamatsu.
Holt swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Takamatsu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takamatsu stuns Holt with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Holt throws a body punch but Takamatsu moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takamatsu.
Takamatsu bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Holt's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takamatsu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Takamatsu throws a body punch but Holt moves out of range.
Holt throws a combination that misses
and Holt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takamatsu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Holt throws a right and a left that both miss.
Takamatsu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Holt.
Nice shot lands for Takamatsu.
Takamatsu lunges at Holt with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Holt's hand.
Takamatsu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Takamatsu fakes the leg kick and cracks Holt in the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holt throws a left and a right that both miss
and Takamatsu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Holt checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matsui Takamatsu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Takamatsu avoids the body shot from Holt.
Takamatsu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Holt stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Holt misses with a hook.
Takamatsu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Takamatsu throws an off balance right hand
and Holt counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Takamatsu misses.
Takamatsu staying out of range there.
Holt takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Holt tries to move into range but Takamatsu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Holt throws a hook but Takamatsu avoids it easily.
Takamatsu scores with a hook to the body. Holt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takamatsu's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Takamatsu duly obliges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takamatsu dodges the punch combination from Holt.
Holt wants to clinch
letting Takamatsu counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Holt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holt takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takamatsu throws a series of punches but Holt avoids them all with ease.
Takamatsu slips a straight right by Holt.
Holt looks to land a left hand but Takamatsu moved out of range nicely.
Holt lands with a shot to the body.
Holt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice cross by Takamatsu.
Holt wants to clinch.
Holt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Takamatsu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Takamatsu throws a hook but Holt blocks it.
Holt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takamatsu was well out of range. Poor timing from Holt.
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!
Takamatsu scores with a kick to the midsection.
Takamatsu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Holt in his tracks.
Takamatsu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Holt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holt throws a big shot that misses.
Holt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takamatsu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takamatsu punishes Holt's body with a nice straight punch.
Takamatsu moves away from the strike by Holt.
Takamatsu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Holt's calf.
A slow jab from Takamatsu misses its intended target.
Holt walks into a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Takamatsu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holt at a distance.
Takamatsu takes one to the chin there.
Nice defenses there by Takamatsu.
Takamatsu throws a counter combo.
Nice uppercut lands for Takamatsu. That snapped Holt's head back.
Takamatsu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Good shot there by Holt.
Holt takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Takamatsu throws a big shot that misses.
Holt gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Takamatsu takes a swing at Holt's ribcage but misses.
Takamatsu throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab lands there for Takamatsu.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A cross from Takamatsu lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takamatsu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takamatsu delivers a nice body kick.
Takamatsu misses with a looping right.
Takamatsu throws a leg kick but Holt sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takamatsu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Holt.
Holt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takamatsu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holt looks to score with a jab to the body but Takamatsu is just out of range.
Takamatsu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holt throws out the jab.
Takamatsu slips under a jab from Holt.
Takamatsu stuns Holt with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A cross from Takamatsu lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holt misses with a hook.
Holt checks a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matsui Takamatsu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takamatsu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matsui Takamatsu!
Matsui Takamatsu decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Raymond Holt was interviewed post fight and said 'Well, the fight didnt go down the way I hoped but props to my opponent for getting the job done. I'll be back soon enough!'.