PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Holzken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artur Grunwaldzki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grunwaldzki has chosen Within Temptation - Forsaken as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Holzken
vs
Grunwaldzki

179 cm
24
157 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

172 cm
24
152 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodney Holzken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Artur Grunwaldzki!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holzken uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grunwaldzki.
Holzken is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rodney Holzken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holzken is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grunwaldzki.
Holzken misses with a body shot
and Grunwaldzki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Holzken throws a body punch but Grunwaldzki moves out of range.
Holzken just misses with a punch to the body.
Holzken scores with a body shot.
Grunwaldzki throws a poor cross that misses

and Holzken counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Holzken is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Grunwaldzki is just riding it out for now. Holzken eventually gives up the hold.
Grunwaldzki wants to improve his position but Holzken is controlling well.

Holzken is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holzken moves nicely into side control.
Grunwaldzki is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Grunwaldzki prevents Holzken from improving position.
Grunwaldzki is trying to control Holzken's posture but Holzken avoids it.
Grunwaldzki is trying to improve his position.

Holzken swings around for an armbar but Grunwaldzki sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Holzken's guard.
Grunwaldzki postures up.
Holzken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Grunwaldzki is one step ahead there.
Grunwaldzki wants to get up but he can't break Holzken's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grunwaldzki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holzken has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Grunwaldzki has managed to get both his arms back between Holzken's legs - danger averted.
Holzken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Grunwaldzki is one step ahead there.
Holzken is working hard here to advance position.
Grunwaldzki slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Grunwaldzki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Holzken. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Holzken is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Holzken is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grunwaldzki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Grunwaldzki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Holzken tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grunwaldzki postures up.
Grunwaldzki stopping the sweep attempt from Holzken.
Holzken is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Holzken looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Holzken looking for a guillotine here but Grunwaldzki defends easily.
Holzken wants to sweep but no luck.
Holzken can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Grunwaldzki controls the pace.

Holzken escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Grunwaldzki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holzken is on top in guard.

Holzken works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Holzken is looking to take a break and control but Grunwaldzki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holzken is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Grunwaldzki is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holzken is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Holzken passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Holzken is working for a guillotine from mount but Grunwaldzki frees his head quite easily.
Grunwaldzki tries to hold on but Holzken postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Holzken dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Grunwaldzki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Grunwaldzki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Holzken misses with a left hand
and Grunwaldzki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holzken throws an overhand right that lands on Grunwaldzki's shoulder, as Grunwaldzki tries to avoid the shot.
Holzken fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grunwaldzki manages to avoid it.
Grunwaldzki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Holzken.
Holzken uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Grunwaldzki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grunwaldzki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Holzken sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Grunwaldzki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Holzken shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Grunwaldzki defends it nicely.
Grunwaldzki tries a quick counter leg kick but Holzken is wise to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodney Holzken. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grunwaldzki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Grunwaldzki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holzken.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Holzken, as that shot connected.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Holzken checks a leg kick.
Grunwaldzki slips under a jab.
Holzken ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grunwaldzki moves away.
Holzken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grunwaldzki.
Grunwaldzki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holzken swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grunwaldzki follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Grunwaldzki slips under a jab.
Grunwaldzki throws out a counter right but Holzken avoids it with no problem.
Holzken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grunwaldzki.
Holzken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holzken is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grunwaldzki.
Holzken misses with a hook to the body
and Grunwaldzki counters with a straight right hand.
Holzken with a hook.
Grunwaldzki throws a looping overhand right but Holzken ducks down to avoid it.
Holzken with a lazy takedown attempt
and Grunwaldzki counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holzken wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken lands a really nice looking cross but Grunwaldzki seems unphased.
Holzken checks a leg kick.
Holzken throws a body shot but no joy.
Grunwaldzki throws a right and a left that Holzken avoids nicely.
Grunwaldzki looks to land a left hand but Holzken moved out of range nicely.
Nice defenses there by Holzken.
A little feinted left hand from Holzken on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grunwaldzki avoids the body shot from Holzken.
Grunwaldzki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Holzken slips a jab and a cross from Grunwaldzki.
Holzken drops down looking for a counter takedown but Grunwaldzki sprawls and moves away.
Holzken getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Holzken is looking to wear down Grunwaldzki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Grunwaldzki ducks under a wild hook from Holzken.
Holzken scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Grunwaldzki misses.
Holzken shoots in but no luck this time.
Holzken connects with a crisp jab.
Grunwaldzki throws a lazy uppercut

and Holzken counters with a nice double leg into side control. Grunwaldzki won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grunwaldzki is looking to reverse the position.
Holzken tries to advance to mount but Grunwaldzki denies him.
Grunwaldzki 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.
Grunwaldzki keeping his opponent close.

Holzken tries for a kimura but Grunwaldzki is defending well.
Grunwaldzki prevents Holzken from moving into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Artur Grunwaldzki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Grunwaldzki throws a series of punches but Holzken moves out of range.
Grunwaldzki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holzken scores with a body shot.
Grunwaldzki misses with a straight left.
Holzken just misses with a punch to the body.
Grunwaldzki swinging wildly here.
Holzken looks to score with a jab to the body but Grunwaldzki is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holzken lands a jab to Grunwaldzki's midsection.
Holzken is trying hard to land a takedown here. Grunwaldzki sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Grunwaldzki misses.
Holzken blocks a head kick by Grunwaldzki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grunwaldzki looks to land a left hand but Holzken moved out of range nicely.
Grunwaldzki avoids the body shot from Holzken.
Holzken throws a looping overhand right but Grunwaldzki ducks down to avoid it.
Grunwaldzki cracks Holzken with a right hand to the side of the head.
Artur Grunwaldzki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grunwaldzki avoids the body shot from Holzken.
A little jabbing left from Grunwaldzki on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Grunwaldzki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Holzken misses the jab.
Holzken looks to score with a jab to the body but Grunwaldzki is just out of range.
Grunwaldzki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Artur Grunwaldzki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grunwaldzki ducks under a wild hook from Holzken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holzken looks to land a right hand but Grunwaldzki moved out of range.
Grunwaldzki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holzken will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Grunwaldzki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holzken paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holzken tests Grunwaldzki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Holzken misses with a shot to the body
and Grunwaldzki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holzken keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grunwaldzki defending well as Holzken loads up on a big left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holzken fails with the takedown
and Grunwaldzki counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodney Holzken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holzken slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Grunwaldzki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Holzken has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Holzken and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Holzken lands a really nice looking cross but Grunwaldzki seems unphased.
Grunwaldzki looks for the body kick but Holzken saw that one coming.
Holzken half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Grunwaldzki.
Grunwaldzki moves out of range of the strikes.
A big left from Grunwaldzki misses.
Holzken was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grunwaldzki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Holzken counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Holzken throws a body shot but no joy.
Grunwaldzki throws a shot from downtown. Holzken moves away and avoids it.
Holzken half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Grunwaldzki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grunwaldzki misses with an uppercut. Holzken saw that one coming.
Grunwaldzki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Grunwaldzki moves in looking to clinch but Holzken pushes him off.
Holzken takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Grunwaldzki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Holzken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Grunwaldzki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grunwaldzki misses with the body kick
and Holzken counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grunwaldzki misses with an uppercut.
Holzken keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodney Holzken.
I think Holzken 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodney Holzken!
An out of breath Rodney Holzken thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.