PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Holt McCoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Verne Robinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCoy comes into the arena with Take it Outside blaring out of the sound system. Robinson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Chase is better than the Catch by Motorhead kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McCoy
vs
Robinson

177 cm
31
212 lbs
7 - 3 - 1

180 cm
28
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Machiavelli Boutique
Instinct

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 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Holt McCoy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Verne Robinson!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McCoy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robinson. McCoy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Robinson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as McCoy is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Robinson.
Robinson looks to land a combination. McCoy sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McCoy misses with a takedown attempt
and Robinson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCoy misses the shot to the body.
A little jabbing left from Robinson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McCoy misses with a hook.
Robinson throws out a counter right but McCoy avoids it with no problem.
Robinson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robinson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCoy as he jumps to the side.
Robinson tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCoy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Robinson somewhat.
Robinson looks to land a combination but McCoy avoids it well.
Robinson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McCoy lands with a nice body punch.

McCoy closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Robinson did well to prevent McCoy getting side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCoy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Robinson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Robinson is looking to improve his position.
McCoy throwing shots but Robinson is blocking nicely.
We've been hearing good reports from McCoy's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Robinson tries to get to full guard but McCoy has control of the leg.

McCoy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Robinson is pressing down on McCoy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Robinson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCoy's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Robinson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McCoy has Robinson pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Robinson trying to control but McCoy is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson wants to pass the guard but McCoy is keeping the position.
Robinson trying to control the position from guard on top but McCoy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCoy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Robinson is controlling him.
Robinson stopping the sweep attempt from McCoy.
Robinson pushing down on McCoy's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

McCoy is defending against the submission attempts here by Robinson.
McCoy wants to control but Robinson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Robinson wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCoy keeps working.
Robinson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Robinson moves nicely into side control.

Robinson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Robinson wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCoy keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Robinson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Robinson throws a series of punches but McCoy avoids them all with ease.
McCoy appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Robinson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCoy pinned against the cage. McCoy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Robinson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McCoy.
Robinson misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCoy throws out a loose jab but Robinson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Robinson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
McCoy with a poor takedown
and Robinson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Robinson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCoy misses with a takedown

and Robinson moves into the clinch.

Robinson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Robinson passes McCoy's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McCoy wants to get back to full guard.

Robinson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Robinson stops McCoy from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robinson is taking a breather. McCoy says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Robinson thows a huge punch but McCoy dodges it nicely.

Robinson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Robinson tries to pass the half guard into mount. McCoy knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
McCoy wants to get back to full guard.
Robinson trying to mount his opponent but McCoy defends it.
McCoy is doing well to control the position and prevent Robinson from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson is stalling here. McCoy is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Robinson seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and McCoy has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Robinson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Robinson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Robinson is trying to control but McCoy passes into side control!
Robinson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

McCoy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McCoy uses his free foot to push down on Robinson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Robinson.
McCoy prevents Robinson from getting the reversal.
McCoy thowing shots but they're missing.

McCoy jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Robinson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Robinson and McCoy has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCoy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Robinson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Robinson regains half guard.

McCoy is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Robinson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Robinson is trying to get back to full guard.

McCoy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCoy prevents Robinson from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Verne Robinson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McCoy scores with a hook.

McCoy drives through with a takedown into guard.
McCoy postures up.
Robinson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Robinson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McCoy postures up.
McCoy throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robinson looking for a sweep. Not yet Robinson, not yet.
McCoy slips nicely into half guard.
Robinson is in trouble now - McCoy has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robinson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
McCoy is trying to take his opponent's back.
Robinson is looking to get to half guard.
McCoy lands a heavy elbow.
Robinson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Robinson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Robinson is looking to improve his position but McCoy isn't that keen on the idea.
Holt McCoy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCoy is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Robinson is surviving well by controlling McCoy's body position as best he can.
Robinson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Holt McCoy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCoy thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Robinson stops McCoy from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
McCoy looking to ground and pound but Robinson is blocking nicely.
Robinson tries to reverse the position but McCoy maintains control.
A nice elbow there by McCoy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCoy throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
McCoy prevents Robinson from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Robinson regains full guard. Nicely done.
McCoy passes Robinson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCoy prevents Robinson from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Robinson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McCoy is looking to work some ground and pound but Robinson has wrist control.
McCoy stopping the sweep attempt from Robinson.
McCoy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Robinson is keeping the position for now.
Robinson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McCoy manages to get himself to full guard.

Robinson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCoy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Robinson trying to control the position from guard on top but McCoy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCoy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Robinson's guard.

Verne Robinson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCoy is in close to Robinson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Robinson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Robinson looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCoy is one step ahead there.
McCoy tries to free his leg and advance position but Robinson is retaining full guard.
Robinson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Holt McCoy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Robinson 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Verne Robinson!
As Verne Robinson got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: I expect a win and that's what I got. I would like to thank the promoter for the match. lastly, I would like to tell my opponent to get a new job. You are nothing but a pompous arse that will never be able to match someone like me. You have no business in my cage - I suggest you stay out of it.'.
Holt McCoy spoke after the fight, saying 'Thanks to my manager Matt Donovan, my sponsors; Instinct and Machiavelli. Hats off to Him. I knew he was gonna come firing on all cylinders. He caught me napping and pulled off the victory. Much respect to him. I will train harder and get back into shape. Thank you! '.