PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Raiymbek Batyr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Patrick Holohan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holohan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Come out and Fight. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Patrick Holohan enters the cage!

Batyr
vs
Holohan

173 cm
26
134 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

175 cm
28
135 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bos Energy MMA159.4

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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raiymbek Batyr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Patrick Holohan!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batyr misses with a low kick.
Holohan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Batyr misses the shot to the body.
Batyr tries a head kick but it misses.
No luck for Holohan with that takedown attempt.
Holohan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Batyr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holohan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Batyr thows a leg kick but Holohan checks it

and Holohan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Holohan is looking for a kimura but Batyr is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Holohan to get the leverage.
Holohan prevents Batyr from standing back up.
Holohan is trying to control the action in half guard but Batyr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Batyr is trying to stand up here but Holohan is controlling him well.

Holohan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Batyr defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batyr is trying to stand back up but Holohan is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holohan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Batyr looks like he's trying to stand up.

Holohan wants to work for an arm triangle but Batyr is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Batyr manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Batyr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Holohan counters with a single leg into guard. Batyr didn't expect that.

Batyr has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Holohan off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Holohan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Batyr's guard.
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!

Holohan is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batyr wants to get back to his feet but Holohan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Holohan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holohan looking to pass the guard.
Holohan trying to control the position from guard on top but Batyr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Holohan drops back looking for a leg! Batyr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Batyr manages to kick Holohan off! Holohan jumps back into Batyr's guard.
My spies in The Axis of Evil inform me that Holohan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Holohan won't allow Batyr to get back to his feet.
Holohan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Batyr has his feet on Holohan's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Batyr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Batyr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Batyr misses with a series of wild punches.
Batyr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Batyr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Batyr looks to land a combination but Holohan avoids it well.
Holohan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Batyr as Holohan shoots in.
Raiymbek Batyr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batyr tries to bum rush Holohan with a series of wild strikes but Holohan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Batyr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Batyr throws a jab when Holohan was well out of range.
Batyr misses with a head kick.
Batyr misses with a series of wild punches.

Holohan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Holohan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Holohan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Batyr doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Holohan.

Holohan looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batyr tries to kick Holohan off but Holohan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Holohan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Batyr is looking to escape.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Holohan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Batyr is looking to escape.

Holohan seems to be looking for submissions.
Holohan trying to control the action but Batyr is working from the bottom.
Holohan trying to pass the guard but Batyr defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Batyr.
Raiymbek Batyr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Batyr throws a combination that misses

and Holohan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Batyr's guard.
Batyr wants to stand but Holohan is controlling the position.

Holohan is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batyr is looking to stand up but Holohan isn't so interested in that idea.
Holohan tries to free his leg and advance position but Batyr is retaining full guard.
Batyr wants to stand up but Holohan is controlling him.
Batyr keeping moving, preventing Holohan from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holohan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Holohan wants to control from the top but Batyr keeps moving.
Batyr wants to stand up but Holohan is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Batyr. No joy for Holohan on that attempt.
Raiymbek Batyr is winning the standup battle so far.
Batyr thows a leg kick but Holohan checks it

and Holohan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Batyr!

Holohan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Batyr has escaped the position, nice work there.
Batyr pushes Holohan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Holohan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Holohan is trying to get an arm triangle but Batyr is defending well.
Batyr pushes Holohan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Holohan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A lull in the action here as Holohan stalls from top position.
Batyr pushes Holohan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Holohan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holohan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Batyr has escaped the position, nice work there.
Batyr is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Holohan has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Holohan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Batyr is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Batyr is pushing Holohan's head away, looking to escape. Holohan manages to hold on to the position though.

Holohan is trying to get an arm triangle but Batyr is defending well.
Batyr is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Holohan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Holohan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Holohan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Batyr knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Holohan thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batyr wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Holohan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Batyr is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Batyr bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Batyr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Holohan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Holohan avoids the head kick by Batyr.
Holohan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holohan slips a jab from Batyr.
Batyr tries to bum rush Holohan with a series of wild strikes but Holohan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Holohan avoids the head kick by Batyr.
Batyr wants to clinch but Holohan slips to the side

so Holohan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Batyr manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batyr throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Batyr throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holohan blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holohan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Batyr gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Batyr connects with a knee to the head.
Batyr gets underhooks to prevent Holohan's takedown attempt.
Raiymbek Batyr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Holohan.
Nice elbow from Batyr.
Holohan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Batyr is defending well.
Holohan tries for a takedown but Batyr manages to get underhooks.
Batyr gets underhooks to prevent Holohan's takedown attempt.
Batyr lands a damaging elbow.
Batyr with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raiymbek Batyr dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Batyr wants to clinch but Holohan slips to the side

and Holohan counters with a shoot takedown. Batyr fights it but they end up in guard.

Holohan is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Batyr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Batyr can't keep his opponent in guard - Holohan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Batyr kicks off Holohan and gets to his feet.
Batyr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Batyr turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Batyr shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Holohan eats them both and turns towards Batyr to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Holohan is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Batyr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holohan is still on wobbly legs! Can Batyr finish him?
Batyr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Batyr throws a head kick but Holohan moves out of range.
Batyr lands a brutal head kick. Holohan looks out on his feet and Batyr throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Raiymbek Batyr!
Raiymbek Batyr was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Patrick Holohan spoke after the fight, saying '"A life making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all."'.