PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lukas Niemayer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Holzken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Lukas Niemayer has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Lukas Niemayer seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Niemayer
vs
Holzken

172 cm
26
156 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

179 cm
25
157 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Arcticus University: London
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lukas Niemayer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodney Holzken!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niemayer misses with an uppercut.
Holzken takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lukas Niemayer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Niemayer bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Niemayer looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Niemayer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holzken.
Niemayer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holzken has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Niemayer finds it's way round the side to connect with Holzken's head.
Niemayer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holzken moves away.
Holzken let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Holzken avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Holzken ducks under a wild hook from Niemayer.
A countering left hand to the body from Holzken misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemayer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Holzken sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Niemayer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Niemayer throws a leg kick that is checked

and Holzken counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holzken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Niemayer is keeping the position for now.
Niemayer has Holzken pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holzken tries to free his leg and advance position but Niemayer is retaining full guard.
Holzken passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Niemayer tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Niemayer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Niemayer looking for submissions off his back.
Niemayer is trying to get back to full guard.
Niemayer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Holzken looking to pass the guard.

Holzken thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Niemayer has his hands on Holzken's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer trying to keep a closed guard but Holzken is proving a slippery customer.
Holzken trying to control the position from guard on top but Niemayer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holzken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Niemayer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Niemayer wants to sweep here but Holzken controlling him for the moment.

Holzken postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Niemayer is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Holzken, into his guard.

Holzken is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Niemayer preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Holzken throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Niemayer tries to free his leg and advance position but Holzken is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holzken is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holzken tries to free his leg and advance position but Niemayer is retaining full guard.
Niemayer trying to keep a closed guard but Holzken is proving a slippery customer.
Niemayer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Holzken wants to control from the top but Niemayer keeps moving.
Holzken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Niemayer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer looking for a sweep. Not yet Niemayer, not yet.
Niemayer working a defensive guard here.
Holzken advances to half guard.

Holzken is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Niemayer defends it well.
Holzken wants to take a breather but Niemayer is having none of it.
Niemayer is trying to control but can't.
Niemayer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holzken preventing the sweep.
Holzken wants to pass the guard but Niemayer is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lukas Niemayer will probably get the nod.
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.

Niemayer loads up on a big right hand but Holzken slips the punch.
And Holzken tries to counter it with a takedown but Niemayer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Holzken throws an off balance right hand
and Niemayer counters with an inside leg kick.
Nice body punch from Niemayer.
Holzken slips a straight right by Niemayer.
Holzken slips a straight right by Niemayer.
Niemayer scores with a body shot.
Niemayer is looking to chop away at Holzken's legs.
A countering left hand to the body from Holzken misses.
Niemayer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Holzken counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Niemayer misses
and Holzken counters with a straight right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Holzken blocks the leg kick.
Holzken with the counter takedown but Niemayer avoids it easily.
Niemayer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Niemayer swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Holzken.
Lukas Niemayer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemayer misses with a straight right.
Holzken changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Niemayer attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Niemayer looks to land a right hand but Holzken moved out of range.
Niemayer throws a lazy right hand but Holzken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Niemayer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holzken can do to turn this around?
Niemayer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Niemayer. Holzken shrugs it off though.
Niemayer misses the jab.
Holzken is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Niemayer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holzken takes one to the side of the head.
Niemayer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holzken tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Holzken uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niemayer.
A little jabbing left from Holzken on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Niemayer, right into the meat.
Lukas Niemayer is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer throws out a loose jab but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holzken with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Niemayer to score with a decent uppercut.
Holzken avoids the body shot from Niemayer.
Holzken changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Holzken misses with a wild body shot.
Niemayer misses with a lunging right hand
and Holzken counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Holzken moves out of range as Niemayer strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Niemayer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holzken.
Holzken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Niemayer.
Holzken doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Niemayer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Niemayer misses with a looping right.
Niemayer throws a hook to the side of Holzken's head but Holzken sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holzken is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer throws a looping overhand right but Holzken ducks down to avoid it.
Niemayer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Niemayer misses its intended target.
Holzken let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nice jab there from Holzken.
Niemayer missing with a left hand there. Holzken was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Niemayer misses with a looping left.
Niemayer cracks Holzken with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Niemayer loads up on a big right hand but Holzken slips the punch.
Niemayer misses with a right hand
and Holzken cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Niemayer misses with a hook

and Holzken counters with a single leg into guard. Niemayer didn't expect that.
Holzken passes easily into side control. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken has knee on belly momentarily but Niemayer bucks him off and regains half guard.
Niemayer is looking for a sweep. Holzken is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Holzken is looking for a kimura but Niemayer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Holzken to get the leverage.
Holzken is trying to control the action in half guard but Niemayer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Holzken is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Holzken trying to control the action but Niemayer is working from the bottom.

Holzken is trying to work for a kimura but Niemayer is defending well.
Niemayer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lukas Niemayer 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.

Niemayer looks to score with a jab to the body but Holzken is just out of range.
Holzken drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Niemayer defends it well.
Niemayer misses with a leg kick
and Niemayer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holzken bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It seemed like Holzken was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Niemayer scores with the left hand. Holzken knows he should have avoided that one.
Niemayer throws a big shot that misses.
Niemayer punishes Holzken's body with a nice straight punch.
Holzken darts in looking for a takedown but Niemayer gets double underhooks and turns Holzken into the cage.
Niemayer misses with a hook
and Holzken counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemayer throws a looping overhand right but Holzken ducks down to avoid it.
Holzken keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Niemayer.
Holzken moves out of range as Niemayer strikes.
Niemayer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Niemayer. That snapped Holzken's head back.
Niemayer misses with an uppercut
and Holzken counters with a right hand to the body.
Holzken takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Niemayer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Some bone on bone action there as Holzken checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Holzken looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Holzken swings for the body but Niemayer moves out of range.
Niemayer misses with a looping left.
Niemayer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Holzken looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Niemayer throws a nice inside leg kick.
Holzken is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Niemayer rather than just go for the knockout.
Niemayer throws a body kick that misses

and Holzken counters with a nice double leg into guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holzken tries to free his leg and advance position but Niemayer is retaining full guard.
Holzken works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Niemayer is not content to let Holzken control the position.
Niemayer is looking for a sweep. Holzken is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Holzken is trying to work for a kimura but Niemayer is defending well.

Holzken 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.
Niemayer manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken forces his way into half guard.

Holzken is working for a submission of some sort.
Holzken trying to control the action but Niemayer is working from the bottom.

Holzken is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Niemayer wants to control but Holzken is keeping busy.
My spies in The Million Dollar Performance Center inform me that Holzken has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Holzken wants to control but Niemayer is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Niemayer wants to control but Holzken is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Holzken 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.
Rodney Holzken has got the better of the ground game so far.

Holzken is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Niemayer trying to control from the bottom.
Holzken is trying to control. Niemayer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Niemayer is defending against the submission attempts here by Holzken.

Holzken wants to work for an arm triangle but Niemayer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Lukas Niemayer did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Niemayer throws a right hand that misses

and Holzken counters with a single leg into guard. Niemayer didn't expect that.
Niemayer is trying to control the position but Holzken postures up.
Niemayer looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Holzken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Niemayer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Niemayer managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holzken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Niemayer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Holzken controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holzken sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Niemayer's guard.
Holzken is trying to control. Niemayer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Niemayer is looking to improve his position.

Holzken is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Niemayer sees it coming and defends easily.

Holzken wants to work for an arm triangle but Niemayer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Niemayer gets full guard.

Niemayer is looking for a triangle but Holzken pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holzken 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.
Niemayer wants to sweep but no luck.
Holzken wants to pass the guard but Niemayer is keeping the position.
Holzken trying to control the position from guard on top but Niemayer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Niemayer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Niemayer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Niemayer is controlling Holzken's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Niemayer keeping moving, preventing Holzken from controlling successfully.
Niemayer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Holzken's guard.

Niemayer looking to pass the guard.
Holzken is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Niemayer trying to hold on to Holzken's head to control him but Holzken postures up.

Holzken is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Niemayer is just riding it out for now. Holzken eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer wants to control but Holzken is keeping busy.
Holzken trying to control the action but Niemayer is working from the bottom.

Holzken 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.

Holzken is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Niemayer sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Holzken is looking for submissions but instead, Niemayer has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Holzken dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Niemayer looks to score with a jab to the body but Holzken is just out of range.
Niemayer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Holzken avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Holzken with the counter takedown but Niemayer avoids it easily.
Niemayer throws a right hand that misses
and Holzken counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Niemayer throws a lazy right hand but Holzken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Niemayer throws a front kick aimed at Holzken's knee but Holzken avoids it well.
It seemed like Holzken was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Holzken throws a right hand that misses
letting Niemayer counter with a right hand.
Niemayer just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemayer looks to score with a jab to the body but Holzken is just out of range.
Niemayer bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Holzken's head.
Niemayer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemayer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Niemayer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Niemayer scores with a jab to the head.
Holzken moves out of range of the strikes.
Niemayer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Holzken! But no joy.
Holzken drops his hands momentarily and Niemayer takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Niemayer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holzken.
Holzken cracks a nice hook into Niemayer's ribs.
Holzken misses with a few strikes there.
Niemayer throws a looping overhand right but Holzken ducks down to avoid it.
Holzken with the counter takedown but Niemayer avoids it easily.
Niemayer looks to land a right hand but Holzken moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niemayer misses with a leg kick

and Holzken counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Niemayer tries to roll over but Holzken keeps him under control.

Holzken is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Holzken is looking for a kimura but Niemayer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Holzken to get the leverage.
Niemayer trying to control but Holzken postures up.
Holzken trying to control from half guard but Niemayer is working away.

Holzken is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Niemayer has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken wants to take a breather but Niemayer is having none of it.
Holzken prevents Niemayer from improving his position.

Holzken is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Niemayer is just riding it out for now. Holzken eventually gives up the hold.

Holzken is working for a kimura but Niemayer is defending it quite comfortably.
Rodney Holzken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niemayer is trying is best to control the position here.
Niemayer is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Holzken is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Niemayer defends it well.
Niemayer is pressing down on Holzken's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Holzken passes Niemayer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Holzken is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Holzken is looking for a kimura but Niemayer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Holzken to get the leverage.
Lukas Niemayer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ground and pound from Holzken.
Niemayer desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Niemayer is trying to maintain the position but Holzken is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Holzken is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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 Lukas Niemayer.
I think Niemayer 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:47
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lukas Niemayer!
Lukas Niemayer retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Lukas Niemayer, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.