PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Macadam Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Baird
vs
Holmes

178 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Macadam Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baird throws a series of punches but Holmes avoids them all with ease.
Baird fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Holmes as Baird shoots in.

Baird shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Baird was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Holmes is looking to get to half guard.
Holmes tries to lock up and control but Baird gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baird throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Holmes can't escape the position.
Holmes wants to control but Baird is having none of it.
Holmes is in all sorts of trouble here.
Holmes tries to hold on but Baird postures up.
Baird throwing strikes here but Holmes is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Holmes can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Baird scores with a couple of good head shots there.
A nice elbow there by Baird.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Baird throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Baird trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Holmes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baird throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Baird connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Holmes gets back to half guard.
Holmes gets back to full guard.
Baird throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Holmes manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Holmes fails to move to back control.
Holmes looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird is in all sorts of trouble here.
Holmes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Baird is looking to escape.
Baird keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Baird knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Holmes on the ground.

Holmes looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Baird is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baird is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird prevents Holmes from taking his back.
Holmes tries to control but Baird wriggling away.

Holmes has control of Baird's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Baird regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Baird is looking to improve his position but Holmes isn't that keen on the idea.

Holmes has control of Baird's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Baird regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Baird is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four 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.

Holmes wants to finish this one by submission but Baird is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Holmes.
Baird is trying desperately to improve position.
Holmes misses with a head shot.
Baird is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holmes avoids the attempt from Baird to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that round.
That's time! Baird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Baird drives through with a takedown into guard.
Baird is looking to work some ground and pound but Holmes has wrist control.
Baird has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Baird tries to free his leg and advance position but Holmes is retaining full guard.

Holmes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Holmes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baird doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baird manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Holmes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baird can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Baird working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Baird from controlling successfully.
Holmes is trying to keep Baird in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird drives through with a takedown into guard.
Baird thows a big elbow that misses.
Baird won't allow Holmes to sweep him here.

Holmes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baird looking to pass the guard.
Holmes looking to control.
Baird wants to pass the guard but Holmes is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baird fails to land with a series of punches.
Holmes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baird is fending him off so far but Holmes persists. Nope, Baird circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baird scores a takedown into full mount!
Holmes is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Baird with the ground and pound from mount.
Holmes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Baird connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Baird misses with a head shot.
Baird throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Holmes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Baird is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Holmes can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is trying desperately to improve position.
Baird can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Holmes is looking to escape.
Baird in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Holmes can't escape the position.
Baird lands a big elbow.
Baird raining down shots from the mount!
Holmes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Holmes is working to get back to half guard.
Baird lands a heavy elbow.
Baird putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Holmes is desperately trying to improve his position but Baird has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baird landing shots from mount.
Baird lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Holmes is looking to improve his position but Baird isn't that keen on the idea.
Baird avoids the attempt from Holmes to control.
Holmes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Baird looking for a guillotine from mount but Holmes is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Baird there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Holmes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baird landing strikes from the mount.
Holmes slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Holmes moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice cross by Baird.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baird but Baird pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Baird throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holmes's waist but Holmes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Baird off to one side.
Baird swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baird keeps the fight on the outside.
Baird fails to land the takedown.
Baird tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Holmes moves into the clinch.
Holmes lands a nice elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holmes jumps into guard, dragging Baird to the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holmes is on top in guard.
Holmes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baird swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.

Baird is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baird tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holmes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holmes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Baird's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Holmes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baird's waist but Baird gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holmes off to one side.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baird as he avoids it easily.
Macadam Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will 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.
Baird looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Holmes is fending him off so far but Baird persists. Nope, Holmes circles away and we're back to standing.
Baird misses with a combination

and Holmes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Baird's guard now.
Baird keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Baird is on top in guard.
Holmes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Baird's guard.

Holmes 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.
Holmes tries to free his leg and advance position but Baird is retaining full guard.
Baird keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.
Holmes tries to stand but Baird is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes preventing the sweep.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Baird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baird tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Baird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Baird shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Holmes is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Baird pulls his head out easily.
Baird looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Holmes is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Baird pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird wants to pass to mount but Holmes is defending the position.
Holmes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Macadam Baird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holmes is on top in guard.
Holmes won't allow Baird to sweep him here.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Baird keeps moving.
Holmes works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Baird is looking for a sweep. Holmes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Holmes stands up from half guard.
Will Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Macadam Baird is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Baird gets the takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Will Holmes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Baird has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Macadam Baird!