PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harry Holliday (ranked 4157 p4p, 474 weight class) and Jamezdin Shraf (ranked 4178 p4p, 476 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Shraf's choice of entrance music: Road To Glory. Jamezdin Shraf told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Holliday
vs
Shraf

187 cm
39
210 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

190 cm
39
212 lbs
22 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Harry Holliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jamezdin Shraf!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holliday throws the left hand but Shraf avoids the punch easily.
Shraf is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Shraf drives through and clinches with Holliday against the cage.
Holliday throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shraf blocks it with crossed arms.
Holliday lands an uppercut.
Shraf working aggressively here.
Holliday tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holliday misses with some punches.
Holliday is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shraf is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holliday pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Shraf lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Holliday wants to stand back up but Shraf manages to pass into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
My spies in Spartans Gym inform me that Shraf has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Holliday is looking to reverse the position.
Shraf tries to advance to mount but Holliday denies him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shraf trying to control the position but Holliday is working away.

Shraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Holliday is defending well.

Shraf tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Holliday stops Shraf from passing to mount.

That's two 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.

Shraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Holliday is defending well.

Shraf tries for a kimura but Holliday is defending well.
Shraf tries to advance to mount but can't.
Shraf controls the position.

Shraf working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shraf prevents Holliday from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Holliday is defending well.
Shraf wants to control for a moment but Holliday uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Shraf is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Holliday reverses the position - he's now on top in Shraf's guard.

Shraf is looking for a triangle but Holliday pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shraf is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Holliday is aware though and is defending well.
Holliday has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Holliday won't allow Shraf to sweep him here.
Shraf wants to control the position but Holliday says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Holliday prevents Shraf from improving his position.

Shraf is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Holliday pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shraf trying to control but Holliday postures up.
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 Harry Holliday 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.

Shraf tries to clinch
and Holliday counters with a nice uppercut.
Shraf tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holliday swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holliday keeps the fight on the outside.
Holliday clobbers Shraf with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Holliday tries to work over Shraf's front leg with a kick but Shraf checks it.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Shraf moved out of range.
Holliday avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Holliday looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Holliday tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shraf was well out of range. Poor timing from Holliday.
Harry Holliday seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shraf tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holliday paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holliday tries to keep at a distance but Shraf has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shraf drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holliday misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday lands an uppercut.
Shraf tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Holliday lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holliday lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Holliday.
Shraf lands with a right to the head.
Holliday lands a hook that snaps the head of Shraf backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shraf.
Shraf misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shraf lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Holliday lands a shoulder strike.
Holliday blocks an uppercut.
Holliday lands a hook that snaps the head of Shraf backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shraf working aggressively here.
Holliday fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Holliday scores with a shoulder strike.

Holliday's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shraf avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shraf has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shraf is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holliday pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shraf is looking to take this one to the mat.
Harry Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jamezdin Shraf.
Holliday scores with a shoulder strike.
Shraf has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holliday after a bit of a struggle.
Shraf has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holliday after a bit of a struggle.
Holliday missing with knees to the body.
Holliday is pressed up against the cage. Shraf has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holliday down to the mat. Holliday avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Holliday is looking to slow Shraf down with leg kicks.
Holliday with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Shraf has managed to clinch.
Holliday makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shraf tries for a takedown. No joy.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holliday creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shraf has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holliday after a bit of a struggle.
Holliday tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday digs a right hand into Shraf's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shraf's gas tank.
Shraf is breathing heavily.
Shraf's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Holliday can't find room to land a body shot as Shraf controls the action.
Shraf is pushing Holliday up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short uppercut from Holliday.
Still in the clinch, Holliday scores with a nice short uppercut.
Holliday fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Holliday's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holliday throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shraf sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shraf tries to clinch up but Holliday circles away and keeps his distance.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Shraf moved out of range.
Holliday throws a leg kick

and Shraf counters with a shoot takedown. Holliday fights it but they end up in guard.
Holliday wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Shraf manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Shraf is just content to waste time from the top position. Holliday takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Holliday keeping moving, preventing Shraf from controlling successfully.
Holliday lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shraf working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Holliday dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab from Holliday.
Decent striking displayed by Holliday there.
Holliday walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shraf checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And Shraf tries to counter it with a takedown but Holliday pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Harry Holliday is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab lands there for Holliday.
Shraf is looking to clinch but Holliday is avoiding it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Holliday. Shraf shrugs it off though.
Shraf dives in for a single leg takedown but Holliday sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It looked like Holliday was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Shraf.
Shraf takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shraf defending well as Holliday loads up on a big left hand.
Shraf feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holliday finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Shraf tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Holliday manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shraf darts in trying to clinch
and Holliday counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shraf on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Shraf closes the distance and pushes Holliday back into the cage.
Holliday swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shraf wants to take the fight to the mat but Holliday manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Shraf is looking for a takedown.
Harry Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jamezdin Shraf.
Shraf misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holliday prevents the takedown attempt.
Holliday is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shraf takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holliday lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shraf throws a punch but it's blocked by Holliday.
Shraf is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Holliday is defending well.
Holliday landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Shraf is looking for a takedown.
Harry Holliday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shraf has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Holliday is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Holliday makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shraf changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holliday fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shraf has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Holliday.
Jamezdin Shraf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shraf checks a low kick from Holliday.
Holliday connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shraf tries to clinch up
and Shraf takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holliday is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shraf can do to turn this around?
Shraf gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shraf tries to close the distance and clinch but Holliday swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Holliday scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Holliday fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shraf is out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Holliday finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shraf looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shraf tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shraf checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Good exchange - Holliday coming out on top.
Shraf closes the distance but Holliday moves to the side
letting Holliday counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shraf throws a poor cross that misses
and Holliday cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Shraf darts in and clinches Holliday up against the cage.
Holliday prevents a takedown attempt there.
Holliday prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shraf lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shraf swings wildly with an uppercut but Holliday uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holliday has a couple of punches blocked by Shraf.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holliday creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shraf tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holliday's elbow.
Holliday lands with a short shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Holliday showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holliday, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Holliday!
Harry Holliday was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.