PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keller Holmes (ranked 6270 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Smith (ranked 2334 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Keller Holmes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Holmes
vs
Smith

185 cm
22
171 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Keller Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Scott Smith!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Holmes pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Holmes walks away with a smile on his face. Smith gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Smith's coach down at Cozad MMA New York was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Smith's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holmes circles away.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holmes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Keller Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Smith.
Holmes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Holmes moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Smith tries to tie him up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Holmes obliges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Holmes is controlling the position.
Smith tries to pull guard but Holmes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Smith decides to pull guard.
Holmes stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith controlling Holmes's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Holmes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Holmes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holmes is one step ahead there.
Smith pulls Holmes in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith 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.
Smith pulls Holmes in close to his closed guard and prevents Holmes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Smith 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.
Holmes wants to stand but Smith is controlling his posture from full guard.
Smith wants to sweep here but Holmes controlling him for the moment.
Smith should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Holmes trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smith's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Holmes as Smith shoots in.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Holmes sprawls well.
Holmes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Holmes tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith stalks Holmes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Holmes's face. Holmes staggers backwards, shaken.

Holmes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Holmes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Holmes has him pressed against the cage.
Holmes scores with a knee to the head.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.
Smith wants to take the fight to the mat but Holmes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Smith looks winded!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holmes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Smith stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Holmes is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keller Holmes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Holmes wants to clinch.
Keller Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holmes blocks a leg kick.
Holmes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Holmes forces Smith back against the cage and clinches.
Smith pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holmes missing with knees to the body.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Holmes gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
Holmes throws an elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Holmes can't fight it off and eventually Smith manages to take the fight to the floor. Holmes looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Holmes, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Holmes wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Holmes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Holmes tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Holmes lands an elbow that stopped Smith in his tracks for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Holmes throws an elbow but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Holmes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Keller Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Smith.
Holmes blocks a body shot from Smith.
Holmes pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Smith manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Holmes is fighting to break Smith's control of his arms but Smith is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Holmes wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holmes is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeps trying to improve his position.
Smith throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Holmes's guard.

Smith stands up over Holmes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith is pushing down on Holmes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Holmes is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Holmes!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Smith unloading with bombs!
Scott Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smith working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Holmes turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Smith off and cradles Holmes's limp body as Smith celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Scott Smith!