PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Numbers Holman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bernard Hoolihan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holman
vs
Hoolihan

170 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

172 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Numbers Holman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bernard Hoolihan!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holman is defended easily by Hoolihan.
Hoolihan moves in looking to clinch but Holman pushes him off.
Hoolihan has a takedown stuffed.
Holman is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hoolihan.
Hoolihan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Holman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hoolihan throws a combination. Holman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hoolihan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Holman to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Hoolihan pushes Holman off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hoolihan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Holman's half guard.
Hoolihan trying to control from half guard but Holman is working away.

Holman kicks Hoolihan off and gets back to his feet.
Holman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hoolihan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Holman somewhat.
Hoolihan throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Holman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Hoolihan has one foot on Holman's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Bernard Hoolihan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hoolihan is looking to clinch but Holman is avoiding it.
Holman is looking to counter with head kicks.
Hoolihan leaves Holman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hoolihan steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Holman.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Numbers Holman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoolihan throws a head kick but Holman moves out of range.
Holman attempts a counter takedown but Hoolihan avoids it well and moves away.
Holman shoots in but Hoolihan avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Hoolihan clinches up with Holman and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Holman pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hoolihan clinches up with Holman and pushes him back against the cage.
Hoolihan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Holman to keep the fight standing.
Holman keeps control of Hoolihan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoolihan stalling the fight.
Hoolihan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holman holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Holman tries to pull guard but Hoolihan holds him up against the cage and eventually Holman drops back down to his feet.
Hoolihan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hoolihan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but Holman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hoolihan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernard Hoolihan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Numbers Holman's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hoolihan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Holman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hoolihan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Holman gets tackled into the cage by Hoolihan. Hoolihan maintains the clinch.

Hoolihan has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Holman is trying to keep an underhook but Hoolihan manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Bernard Hoolihan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Holman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holman looks like he's trying to stand up.

Holman has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hoolihan is on him like a limpet, forcing Holman back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holman jumps guard but Hoolihan stands there with Holman around his waist. Holman gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Holman working aggressively here.
Holman lands an elbow inside that Hoolihan shrugs off.
Holman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Holman.

Holman successfully pulls guard.
Holman controls Hoolihan momentarily but Hoolihan frees himself.
Hoolihan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holman isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hoolihan stacks Holman on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hoolihan!
Hoolihan moves into full mount!
Hoolihan looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Holman can't escape the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holman is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hoolihan looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hoolihan lands a nice shot to the head.

Hoolihan looking to isolate an arm here. Holman doesn't see it coming and as Hoolihan extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Hoolihan!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bernard Hoolihan!