PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Tuco Salamanca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nieky Holzken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tuco Salamanca has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Salamanca
vs
Holzken

186 cm
26
198 lbs
15 - 8 - 2

188 cm
21
204 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of London, Tuco Salamanca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nieky Holzken!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salamanca misses with a leg kick.

Holzken closes the distance and clinches.
Holzken avoiding damage.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.
Holzken misses with an elbow over the top.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Salamanca trying to stall but Holzken improves his position.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from Holzken.
Salamanca looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamanca can't find room to land a body shot as Holzken controls the action.
Salamanca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Salamanca throws an elbow that misses.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holzken scores with a knee to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Holzken.
Holzken is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Salamanca trying to control the position but instead, Holzken has worked for underhooks and has pushed Salamanca into the ropes.
Holzken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salamanca has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salamanca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Holzken throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Salamanca throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holzken blocks it with crossed arms.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Holzken scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Tuco Salamanca has been cut.
Holzken lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Salamanca is trying to stall.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Holzken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salamanca has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca tries to land knees in the clinch but Holzken avoids the damage to the body.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holzken avoids it.
Holzken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salamanca's face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salamanca tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca looking to throw knees to the head but Holzken is blocking nicely.
Holzken trying to stall but Salamanca improves his position.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Holzken is working Salamanca over against the ropes.
Holzken looking to throw knees to the head but Salamanca is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamanca is looking to control Holzken's arms but Holzken gets an underhook and turns him. Now Salamanca has his back to the ropes.
Holzken digs a right hand into Salamanca's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salamanca's gas tank.
Salamanca landing knees to the head.

It looks like Nieky Holzken has been cut.
Salamanca tries to throw a body punch but Holzken avoids it by throwing Salamanca back against the ropes.
Holzken tries to stall but Salamanca uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Salamanca.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Salamanca just misses with a elbow thrown towards Holzken's brow.
Salamanca lands an uppercut.
Holzken doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salamanca throws an elbow but it misses.
Salamanca throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salamanca backwards.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca blocks an uppercut.
Salamanca misses with some punches.
Salamanca lands an elbow that stopped Holzken in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holzken is struggling to control the position.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Holzken stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Salamanca.
Salamanca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Salamanca throws an elbow but it misses.
Holzken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salamanca's face.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salamanca.
Holzken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salamanca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holzken throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salamancas head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nieky Holzken dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fighters circling - Salamanca throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Holzken throws out a counter right but Salamanca avoids it with no problem.
Salamanca bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Holzken closes the distance and clinches.
Salamanca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Salamanca throws an elbow but misses.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salamanca trying to stall but Holzken improves his position.
Holzken looking to throw knees to the head but Salamanca is blocking nicely.
Salamanca is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Holzken has a couple of punches blocked by Salamanca.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamanca looking to slow down the pace here.
Holzken letting Salamanca take a breather here.
Salamanca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holzken is defending well for now.
Salamanca wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tuco Salamanca.
Salamanca misses with a straight left.
Salamanca moves away from the strike by Holzken.

Holzken moves into the clinch successfully.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holzken as Salamanca tries to tie him up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holzken as Salamanca tries to tie him up.
Holzken looking to throw knees to the head but Salamanca is blocking nicely.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holzken trying to control the position but instead, Salamanca has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holzken into the ropes.
Holzken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca looking to slow down the pace here.
Holzken is trying to stall.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salamanca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.
Salamanca tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.
Holzken has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Salamanca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks with his arms.
Salamanca throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holzken is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holzken.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Salamanca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks with his arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salamanca lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salamanca missing with knees to the body.
Holzken taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamanca misses with an elbow strike.
Holzken is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salamanca is keeping busy.
Nieky Holzken seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca trying to stall but Holzken improves his position.
A short body shot lands from Salamanca as the two fighters clinch.
Salamanca blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salamanca lands a nice knee to the body.
Holzken is breathing heavily.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca stalling in the clinch but Holzken improves position.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks with his arms.
Salamanca blocks the elbow strike.
Holzken on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salamanca tries to stall but Holzken uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Salamanca misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Salamanca throws an elbow but misses.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
A shot in the inside from Holzken.
Salamanca pushes Holzken back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holzken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Salamanca tries to stall but Holzken uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Salamanca trying to control the position but instead, Holzken has worked for underhooks and has pushed Salamanca into the ropes.
Salamanca tries to throw a body punch but Holzken avoids it by throwing Salamanca back against the ropes.
Holzken tries a body shot but Salamanca blocks it.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
Salamanca tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A knee to the head by Holzken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holzken blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nieky Holzken will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Holzken closes the distance and clinches.
Holzken lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Holzken looking to throw knees to the head but Salamanca is blocking nicely.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holzken takes an elbow to the temple.
Holzken wants to stall.
Holzken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salamanca's face.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
Salamanca tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
Holzken prevents a body shot from Salamanca.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks with his arms.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Holzken avoiding damage as Salamanca throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salamanca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holzken is defending well for now.
A right handed body shot lands from Salamanca.
Holzken is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Holzken avoiding damage as Salamanca throws knees to the body.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks it.
Holzken takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holzken throws a punch but it's blocked by Salamanca.
Salamanca is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Holzken lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salamanca misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salamanca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holzken has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Salamanca throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Holzken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salamanca has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Holzken avoids the elbow strike from Salamanca, against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Salamanca.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca looking to slow down the pace here.
The referee calls for Salamanca to work.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks it.
Holzken missing with knees to the body.
Salamanca is stalling here.
Holzken stalling in the clinch but Salamanca improves position.
Holzken trying to control the position but instead, Salamanca has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holzken into the ropes.
Salamanca can't find room to land a body shot as Holzken controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Holzken.
Salamanca takes a shot to the head.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.
Holzken tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Holzken takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Salamanca controlling the action here for a moment.
Salamanca cracks Holzken with a nice body shot.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salamanca misses with a body punch.
Salamanca tries to stall but Holzken uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Salamanca.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken just leaning against Salamanca, taking a breather.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salamanca misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salamanca creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Salamanca is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holzken is keeping busy.
Salamanca tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Salamanca as Holzken tries to tie him up.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Salamanca throws an elbow but misses.
Holzken lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca unloads a knee to the mid-section.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holzken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salamanca has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nieky Holzken really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Salamanca tries a head kick but it misses.

Holzken moves into range and clinches up with Salamanca.
Salamanca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Salamanca is trying to stall.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Salamanca working aggressively here.
Holzken misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamanca misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Salamanca stalling the fight.
Holzken avoiding damage as Salamanca throws knees to the body.
Holzken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salamanca avoids a wild elbow strike from Holzken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Salamanca using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holzken has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salamanca is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Holzken avoids a wild elbow strike from Salamanca.
Salamanca missing with knees to the body.
Salamanca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holzken is defending well for now.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks with his arms.
Holzken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Salamanca avoids it.
Holzken lands a nice uppercut.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
Holzken fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Salamanca's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holzken looking to slow down the pace here.
Holzken is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Salamanca lands a right hand.
Salamanca is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salamanca is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Holzken is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Salamanca cracks Holzken with a nice body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Salamanca works on Holzken's body with a couple of short punches.
Salamanca with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salamanca creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holzken lands a right hand that snaps the head of Salamanca backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holzken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short body shot lands from Salamanca as the two fighters clinch.
Holzken managing to block the knees to the body from Salamanca.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holzken.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salamanca's elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salamanca with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holzken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salamanca's face.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holzken avoids it.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Salamanca just misses with a elbow thrown towards Holzken's brow.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Salamanca.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Holzken throws a punch but it's blocked by Salamanca.
Salamanca digs a right hand into Holzken's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Holzken's gas tank.
Holzken dodges an elbow strike from Salamanca.
Holzken trying to control the position but instead, Salamanca has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holzken into the ropes.
Holzken has a couple of punches blocked by Salamanca.
Salamanca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salamanca is trying to maintain a safe position but Holzken gets an underhook and turns Salamanca into the ropes.
Salamanca scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salamanca has Holzken pushed against the ropes.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Salamanca throws an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Tuco Salamanca will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Salamanca just misses with a punch to the body.
Salamanca misses with a body kick.
Holzken connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Salamanca misses with a looping left.
Salamanca lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Salamanca.
Salamanca checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Salamanca swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Holzken blocks a head kick by Salamanca.
A nice inside leg kick there by Salamanca. That's going to slow Holzken down.
Nice defenses there by Holzken.
Holzken scores with a nice right hand.

Holzken moves into the clinch successfully.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken with a knee to the head.
Holzken lands a nice knee to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holzken scores with a knee to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holzken.
A right hand to the body from Holzken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Salamanca avoids it.
Holzken misses with a knee strike.
Salamanca is trying to stall.
Salamanca trying to land knees to the body.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca is trying to maintain a safe position but Holzken gets an underhook and turns Salamanca into the ropes.
Salamanca lands a nice shot to the body.
Salamanca managing to block the knees to the body from Holzken.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Salamanca misses with an elbow strike.
Holzken blocks the elbow strike.
Salamanca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holzken is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Holzken.
Salamanca taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Holzken tries to throw a body punch but Salamanca avoids it by throwing Holzken back against the ropes.
Salamanca swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holzken as Salamanca tries to tie him up.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca takes a knee right on the jaw!
Salamanca misses with a knee to the head.
Holzken tries a knee to the head but Salamanca blocks it.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salamanca is trying to maintain a safe position but Holzken gets an underhook and turns Salamanca into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamanca tries a knee to the head but Holzken blocks it.
A right hand to the body from Salamanca.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salamanca tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holzken is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Salamanca lands a body shot.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Salamanca stalling against the ropes.
Salamanca controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Salamanca for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Salamanca throws an elbow but misses.
A bit of stalling here from Holzken.
Salamanca throws an elbow that misses.
Salamanca lands an elbow inside.
Holzken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holzken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamanca blocks it with crossed arms.
Salamanca works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holzken tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Salamanca avoids it.
Tuco Salamanca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salamanca is trying to stall.
Salamanca misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holzken connects with a knee to the head.
Salamanca is looking to control Holzken's arms but Holzken gets an underhook and turns him. Now Salamanca has his back to the ropes.
Salamanca is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nieky Holzken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Holzken 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nieky Holzken!
Nieky Holzken thanked the fans post fight for their support.