PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bear Claw (ranked 3958 p4p, 347 weight class) and Sherlock Holmes (ranked 3593 p4p, 326 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Claw
vs
Holmes

203 cm
26
267 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

190 cm
26
240 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bear Claw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Sherlock Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Holmes clinches up with Claw and pushes him back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Claw.
Holmes takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Sherlock Holmes has been cut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Claw tries to tie him up.
Holmes slowing the pace effectively.
Holmes tries for a takedown but Claw manages to get underhooks.
Holmes takes an elbow to the forehead.
Claw putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Holmes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Holmes wants a takedown but no success here.
Holmes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Claw lands a good knee to the midsection. Holmes won't want to take too many of those.
Holmes looks winded!
Holmes tries for a takedown but Claw manages to get underhooks.
Bear Claw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes stalling against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claw has Holmes pushed against the cage.
Claw lands a hook that snaps the head of Holmes backwards.

Holmes has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Claw regains guard immediately.
Claw has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Claw wants to stand and escape but Holmes is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes is looking to work some ground and pound but Claw has wrist control.

Claw has his feet on Holmes's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Claw moves into the clinch.
Holmes has Claw pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Claw manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Claw unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Claw pressing his opponent against the cage.
Holmes avoiding damage as Claw throws knees to the body.
Claw taking a breather.
Claw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holmes avoids it.
Holmes avoids the elbow strike from Claw, against the cage.
Claw stops a takedown attempt from Holmes.
Claw tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Claw misses with a knee to the head.
Claw is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Claw stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Claw leaning his opponent against the cage.
Claw is trying to stall.
Claw tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holmes blocks an elbow strike.
Holmes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Claw after a bit of a struggle.
Holmes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Holmes is trying to stall.
Claw tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claw misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Holmes.
Holmes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Claw pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Claw lands a knee to the head.
Holmes looking for a takedown.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Claw obliges.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Claw is looking to control Holmes's arms but Holmes gets an underhook and turns him. Now Claw has his back to the cage.
Claw doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Claw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holmes avoids it.
Holmes wants a takedown but no success here.
Claw lands a damaging elbow.
Holmes managing to block the knees to the body from Claw.
Holmes being controlled against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Claw tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claw stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Claw taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Holmes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Holmes has Claw pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Claw manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Claw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holmes avoids it.
Holmes stalling.
Claw swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Claw lands a damaging elbow.
Holmes can't get the takedown.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Claw tries to tie him up.
Claw can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bear Claw.
Claw throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Claw dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sherlock Holmes's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A punch combination from Claw misses.

Holmes clinches up with Claw and pushes him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Claw.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Holmes tries to score a body lock takedown but Claw shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Claw misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Claw prevents the takedown attempt.
Claw misses with a body punch.
Claw trying to land knees to the body.
Holmes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Claw being controlled against the cage.
Claw using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holmes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Holmes.
Holmes wants a takedown.
Bear Claw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes is breathing heavily.
Claw misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claw scores with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Holmes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Claw prevents it.
Claw is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holmes can do to turn this around?
Holmes looking to stall.
Claw prevents the takedown attempt.
Claw with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Claw'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.
Claw prevents the takedown attempt.
Holmes has Claw pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Claw manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holmes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Claw prevents it.
Claw misses with a knee strike.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes slowing the pace effectively.
Holmes wants a takedown.
Claw missing with knees to the body.
Claw unloads a knee to the mid-section. Holmes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Holmes blocks a body shot from Claw.
Claw taking a breather.
Holmes looking for a takedown.
Nice elbow from Claw.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Claw pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Claw with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holmes slips a jab and a cross from Claw.
Claw takes a swing at Holmes's ribcage but misses.

Claw forces Holmes back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Claw is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claw stalling against the cage.
Claw stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Claw lands a shoulder strike.
Claw gets underhooks to prevent Holmes's takedown attempt.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holmes is working for takedown but Claw is calmly controlling the position for now.
Claw lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holmes as Claw tries to tie him up.
A right handed body shot lands from Claw.
A short uppercut from Claw.
Claw doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Claw lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That has opened up Sherlock Holmes's cut even more.
Claw stops a takedown attempt from Holmes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claw trying to stall but Holmes improves his position.
Claw stalling the fight.
Holmes blocking some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Claw is stalling here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bear Claw.

Holmes moves into the clinch successfully.
Holmes is working for takedown but Claw is calmly controlling the position for now.
Claw pressing his opponent against the cage.
Claw creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Holmes's defenses.
Claw unloads a knee to the mid-section. Holmes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holmes avoiding damage as Claw throws knees to the body.
Claw is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holmes is keeping busy.
Holmes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Claw dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sherlock Holmes's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Holmes closes the distance and clinches.
Claw is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Claw scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Holmes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Holmes takes an elbow to the forehead.
Claw lands a nice knee to the body.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Holmes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Claw is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Claw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holmes is defending well for now.
Claw lands with a short shot to the head.
Claw softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Claw stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Claw tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bear Claw has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is keeping an eye on Claw - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Holmes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holmes is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claw trying to stall but Holmes improves his position.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Holmes avoiding damage as Claw throws knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Holmes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Claw prevents it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Claw landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Holmes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bear Claw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sherlock Holmes.
Claw trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Claw throws an elbow but misses.
Holmes trying to stall but Claw improves his position.
Holmes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Claw is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Claw stops a takedown attempt from Holmes.
Holmes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Claw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holmes is defending well for now.
Claw crunches a lovely knee into Holmes's ribcage.
Claw lands an elbow inside.
Claw controlling the action here for a moment.
Claw lands a nice uppercut.
Claw stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Claw digs a right hand underneath Holmes's ribcage. Holmes let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Claw looking to slow down the pace here.
Holmes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Holmes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Claw obliges.
Claw working Holmes over with knees to the body.
Holmes avoiding damage as Claw throws knees to the body.
Claw lands a damaging elbow.
Claw looking to stall.
Holmes is working for takedown but Claw is calmly controlling the position for now.
Claw is stalling here.
Claw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holmes is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claw stalling against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Holmes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Claw trying to land knees to the body.
Holmes blocks an elbow strike.
Holmes looking to slow down the pace here.
Claw tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Claw tries to land knees in the clinch but Holmes avoids the damage to the body.
Holmes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Claw stalling in the clinch but Holmes improves position.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Claw pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sherlock Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bear Claw is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sherlock Holmes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Claw fakes the leg kick and cracks Holmes in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bear Claw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Claw has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:26
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bear Claw!