PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Edmund Shklyarskiy (ranked 3496 p4p, 185 weight class) and Max Holloway (ranked 4017 p4p, 201 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Shklyarskiy
vs
Holloway

172 cm
21
135 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

180 cm
23
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edmund Shklyarskiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Holloway!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holloway shoots in but no luck this time.
Holloway staying out of range there.
Shklyarskiy throws a looping overhand right but Holloway ducks down to avoid it.
Holloway has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Shklyarskiy is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Holloway closes the distance looking to clinch
and Shklyarskiy counters with a stiff right hand.
Holloway dives in for a single leg takedown but Shklyarskiy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Holloway slips under a jab from Shklyarskiy.
Holloway shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shklyarskiy defends it nicely.
Edmund Shklyarskiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Holloway.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch but Shklyarskiy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Holloway fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holloway looks for a takedown but Shklyarskiy sprawls well.
Holloway shoots in but Shklyarskiy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Holloway fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shklyarskiy misses the shot to the body.
Shklyarskiy throws a right hand that Holloway ducks under and follows up with a left that Holloway also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holloway shoots in but no luck this time.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shklyarskiy.
Holloway shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shklyarskiy defends it nicely.
Holloway moves away from the strike by Shklyarskiy.
Shklyarskiy feints a jab promting Holloway to slip. Shklyarskiy then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Holloway slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Holloway is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Holloway shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shklyarskiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shklyarskiy throws a jab when Holloway was well out of range.
Holloway on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shklyarskiy lands a nice shot to the body.
Shklyarskiy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holloway was well out of range. Poor timing from Shklyarskiy.
Shklyarskiy misses with a series of wild punches.
Holloway dives in for a single leg takedown but Shklyarskiy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shklyarskiy cracks Holloway with an open hand slap.
Holloway ducks under a wild hook from Shklyarskiy.
And Holloway tries to counter it with a takedown but Shklyarskiy pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Holloway looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holloway is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shklyarskiy stuffs the takedown.
A jab from Shklyarskiy finds it's way through Holloway's defenses.

Holloway is rocked!
Holloway throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Holloway is still on wobbly legs! Can Shklyarskiy finish him?
Holloway misses with a wild body shot.
Holloway seems to have recovered his senses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shklyarskiy. Holloway does a little dance to reset his feet.
Max Holloway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shklyarskiy misses with an uppercut. Holloway saw that one coming.
Holloway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shklyarskiy.
Shklyarskiy lands with a good body shot.

Holloway has Shklyarskiy up against the ropes in a clinch.

Holloway pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Holloway.
Holloway looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shklyarskiy is fending him off so far but Holloway persists. Nope, Shklyarskiy circles away and we're back to standing.
Holloway throws the kick towards the body but Shklyarskiy avoids it.
Edmund Shklyarskiy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holloway shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shklyarskiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shklyarskiy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shklyarskiy is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Shklyarskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shklyarskiy cracks Holloway with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
No luck for Holloway with that takedown attempt.
Holloway tries to clinch but Shklyarskiy is having none of it.
Holloway slips a straight right by Shklyarskiy.
Shklyarskiy looks to land a left hand but Holloway moved out of range nicely.
Shklyarskiy misses with a wild body shot.
Nice cross by Shklyarskiy.
Shklyarskiy throws a jab when Holloway was well out of range.
Holloway shoots in looking for a takedown. Shklyarskiy tries to sprawl out of it but Holloway keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Shklyarskiy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holloway fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Holloway fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway tries to clinch but Shklyarskiy is having none of it.
Shklyarskiy throws a right hand that Holloway ducks under and follows up with a left that Holloway also avoids with ease.
Holloway has a takedown stuffed.
Shklyarskiy thuds his right hand into Holloway's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holloway shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shklyarskiy as he jumps to the side.
Shklyarskiy went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shklyarskiy throws a looping overhand right but Holloway ducks down to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holloway looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shklyarskiy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shklyarskiy stuffs the takedown attempt from Holloway. Holloway gets slowly back to his feet.
Holloway misses with a takedown
and Holloway takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holloway bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shklyarskiy misses with a hook. Holloway ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edmund Shklyarskiy dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Holloway tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Shklyarskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holloway closes the distance and clinches up with Shklyarskiy, looking for a takedown. Holloway pushes Shklyarskiy against the ropes but Shklyarskiy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shklyarskiy throwing a counter right hand but Holloway manages to avoid it.
Shklyarskiy throws a series of punches but Holloway moves out of range.
A combination from Holloway does no damage.
Holloway will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Holloway darts in and clinches Shklyarskiy up against the ropes.
Shklyarskiy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Shklyarskiy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Holloway throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shklyarskiy's waist but Shklyarskiy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holloway off to one side.
Shklyarskiy throws a body shot but no joy.
Holloway tries for a takedown but Shklyarskiy circles away easily
and Shklyarskiy counters with a stiff right hand.
Edmund Shklyarskiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Holloway.

Shklyarskiy gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Holloway to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Holloway postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shklyarskiy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shklyarskiy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Holloway throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shklyarskiy is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Shklyarskiy keeping full guard, as Holloway tries to pass.

Shklyarskiy working for a triangle but Holloway defends it easily.
Shklyarskiy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holloway is one step ahead there.

Holloway got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shklyarskiy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holloway has managed to get both his arms back between Shklyarskiy's legs - danger averted.
Shklyarskiy trying to keep a closed guard but Holloway is proving a slippery customer.
Holloway chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Holloway throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shklyarskiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shklyarskiy seems keen to control Holloway's posture.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Holloway cracks Shklyarskiy with a solid left hand.
Shklyarskiy keeping moving, preventing Holloway from controlling successfully.
Holloway cracks Shklyarskiy with a solid left hand.
Shklyarskiy wants to stand and escape but Holloway is having none of it.
Holloway throwing strikes from guard but Shklyarskiy blocks nicely.
Shklyarskiy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holloway is one step ahead there.

Holloway got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shklyarskiy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holloway has managed to get both his arms back between Shklyarskiy's legs - danger averted.
Holloway works over Shklyarskiy with some ground and pound from guard.
Shklyarskiy on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shklyarskiy tries to get out of the position.
Shklyarskiy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shklyarskiy trying to control the position.
Holloway throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway lands a couple of digs.
Holloway trying to control the position from guard on top but Shklyarskiy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holloway is looking to work some ground and pound but Shklyarskiy has wrist control.
Shklyarskiy has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shklyarskiy controls Holloway momentarily but Holloway frees himself.
Shklyarskiy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holloway.
Shklyarskiy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holloway can do to turn this around?
Holloway distracts Shklyarskiy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Holloway avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holloway stands up over Shklyarskiy, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Holloway postures up.
Shklyarskiy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holloway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway is looking to work some ground and pound but Shklyarskiy has wrist control.
Shklyarskiy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Holloway on the ground.
Shklyarskiy trying to control the position.
Shklyarskiy is pulling down on Holloway's head to control his posture.
Holloway postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Holloway working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shklyarskiy working a defensive guard here.
Holloway with a nice head shot there.
Shklyarskiy wants to stand up but Holloway is controlling him.

Holloway got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shklyarskiy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holloway has managed to get both his arms back between Shklyarskiy's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holloway scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Holloway preventing the sweep.

Holloway 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.
Holloway working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Shklyarskiy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Holloway tries for a takedown but Shklyarskiy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Holloway throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shklyarskiy's waist but Shklyarskiy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holloway off to one side.
Shklyarskiy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shklyarskiy throws a hook but Holloway blocks it.
Shklyarskiy lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shklyarskiy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shklyarskiy connects with a body shot that sends Holloway's belly button to the back.
Shklyarskiy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holloway has a takedown stuffed.
Edmund Shklyarskiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Holloway.
Shklyarskiy moves into range and connects with a jab.
Shklyarskiy slaps away a takedown attempt from Holloway, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holloway closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shklyarskiy to the mat! Shklyarskiy manages to get full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shklyarskiy trying to control the position here.
Holloway missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shklyarskiy is trying to control the position but Holloway postures up.
Shklyarskiy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Holloway is controlling him.

Shklyarskiy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holloway gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shklyarskiy controlling the position.
Max Holloway has got the better of the ground game so far.
Holloway loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holloway preventing the sweep.
Shklyarskiy wants to get back to his feet but Holloway is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Holloway preventing the sweep.
Holloway postures up and lands a big shot to Shklyarskiy's brow.
Holloway landing some decent shots from guard.
Holloway throwing strikes but missing.
Shklyarskiy wants to stand but Holloway is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shklyarskiy trying to control the position.

Shklyarskiy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Holloway doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Holloway manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shklyarskiy looking for a sweep. Not yet Shklyarskiy, not yet.
Holloway chips away with some ground and pound.
Holloway lands a couple of elbows.
Holloway missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holloway has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shklyarskiy wants to stand but Holloway is controlling the position.
Shklyarskiy wants to sweep here but Holloway controlling him for the moment.
Holloway won't allow Shklyarskiy to get back to his feet.
Holloway scoring with some ground and pound.
Shklyarskiy wants to sweep but no luck.
Shklyarskiy has momentary wrist control but Holloway slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway looking to pass the guard.
Holloway cracks Shklyarskiy with a solid left hand.
Holloway postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shklyarskiy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Holloway postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shklyarskiy is controlling Holloway's posture.

Shklyarskiy had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Holloway defends it easily.
Holloway connects with a couple of short punches.
Holloway wants to control from the top but Shklyarskiy keeps moving.

Holloway drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Holloway jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Holloway throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shklyarskiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Holloway loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shklyarskiy controls Holloway momentarily but Holloway frees himself.
Holloway throws a big elbow that misses.
Shklyarskiy 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.
Holloway working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holloway is in close to Shklyarskiy's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shklyarskiy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Shklyarskiy tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Shklyarskiy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Holloway can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shklyarskiy working a defensive guard here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holloway makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Max Holloway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Edmund Shklyarskiy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holloway makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Max Holloway.
I think Holloway 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Edmund Shklyarskiy!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Edmund Shklyarskiy!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Edmund Shklyarskiy!

Edmund Shklyarskiy wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Edmund Shklyarskiy gave a big smile as he said 'Fuck inbred alt right'.