PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Holloway (ranked 689 p4p, 740 weight class) and Sao Alela (ranked 104 p4p, 110 weight class). Alela comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cryin' Like a Bitch kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Sao Alela is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Holloway
vs
Alela

174 cm
33
165
21 - 7 - 1

180 cm
36
160
24 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary
FUClothing

Carnage
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Holloway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sao Alela!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holloway takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Holloway throws a solid leg kick but Alela takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Holloway.
Holloway slips under a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Holloway checks a leg kick.
Holloway lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Holloway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alela.
Alela tries to bum rush Holloway with a series of wild strikes but Holloway uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Holloway connects with an inside leg kick.
Holloway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alela lands a jab to Holloway's midsection.
Alela throws a leg kick but Holloway sees it coming and moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Alela. Beautiful body shot.
Alela throws a sloppy head kick
letting Holloway counter with a right hand.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Alela.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holloway steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Alela.
Holloway throws a body shot but no joy.
Alela throws a left and a right that both miss
and Holloway finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Alela just misses with a punch to the body.
Alela's corner calls for a 1-2. Alela obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Holloway there.
Holloway swings for the body but Alela moves out of range.
Holloway lands a jab.
Holloway fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alela takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alela or perhaps it was just good defense by Holloway, which made it look bad.

Holloway fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alela, pushing him back against the cage.
Alela misses with some punches.
Alela misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holloway misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holloway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holloway blocks a body shot from Alela.
Alela is looking to break free of the clinch but Holloway has double underhooks.

Alela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alela throws a big shot that misses.
Alela has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Alela there as he acknowledges the shot.
Holloway misses the jab.
Holloway defending well as Alela loads up on a big left hand.
Max Holloway is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alela shoots for a double leg takedown but Holloway sprawls well. He's pushed Alela's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Holloway cracks Alela with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holloway wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alela throws a head kick that Holloway semi-blocks.
Holloway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alela moves away.
Holloway connects with a crisp jab.
Nice jab there from Holloway.
Holloway fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alela manages to avoid it.
Alela pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Holloway wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Holloway misses with an uppercut. Alela saw that one coming.
Holloway scores with a shot to the body.
Alela lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Alela fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Holloway on the side of the head.
Holloway scores with a hook.
Alela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Holloway.
Alela lands a nice leg kick that just misses Holloway's sensitive parts.
Alela avoids the body shot from Holloway.
Holloway will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Holloway tries to clinch there but Alela circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Alela cracks Holloway with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Alela getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice cross by Holloway.
Alela fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Holloway checks it well.
Alela has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Holloway.
Holloway plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Alela throws a nice inside leg kick.
Holloway avoids the head kick by Alela.
Holloway swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Holloway fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Holloway.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Holloway has managed to clinch.

Alela wants the takedown. Holloway is fighting it off but Alela persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Holloway's guard against the cage.
Holloway controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holloway's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Alela sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alela trying to control but Holloway is working from the bottom.
Alela won't allow Holloway to sweep him here.
Holloway seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Alela trying to control the position from guard on top but Holloway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alela misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Holloway misses with a double jab.
Alela takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Max Holloway dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alela slips under a jab from Holloway.
Alela throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Holloway tries to clinch but Alela is having none of it.
Holloway turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Alela ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Alela.

Holloway has taken the fight to the clinch.
Holloway misses with a punch on the inside.
Holloway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Holloway lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Alela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Holloway throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Alela shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Alela showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alela wants to pass to mount but Holloway is defending the position.
Holloway is trying to maintain the position but Alela is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alela looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Holloway with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Alela trying to control from half guard but Holloway is working away.
Holloway won't allow Alela to pass to mount.
Holloway is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Alela scores with a couple of nice shots.
Alela not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Holloway wants to get back to full guard.

Alela is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Holloway has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alela tries to pass to full mount but Holloway defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alela looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Alela with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Alela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alela is looking for a kimura here.
Alela misses with a head shot. Holloway uses the momentum to regain guard.
Holloway wants to stand and escape but Alela is having none of it.
Holloway manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alela manages to get himself to full guard.

Alela wants to get back to his feet but Holloway is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Holloway gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Alela digs a good hook to Holloway's body.
Holloway looks to score with a jab to the body but Alela is just out of range.
Holloway scores with a one two! Alela had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Holloway throws a hook but Alela avoids it easily.
Alela misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holloway tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Alela manages to circle out of the way.
Alela throws a body shot but no joy.
Alela throws a combination. Holloway tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Holloway throws out a loose jab but Alela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alela fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alela throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Holloway throws a lazy right hand but Alela sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Alela scores with a nice strike.
Holloway misses with an attempted mid kick.
Holloway fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alela manages to avoid it.
Alela swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sao Alela will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Holloway's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Alela throws a hook but Holloway avoids it easily.
Holloway takes one on the button.
Holloway scores with a hook.

Holloway closes the distance and pushes Alela back into the cage.
Holloway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alela's elbow.
Holloway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Holloway on the inside.
Holloway lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alela goes for a takedown in the clinch but Holloway prevents it.
Holloway tries to work over Alela's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Holloway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alela lands a shot to the body.
Holloway working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alela throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holloways head.
Holloway is looking to break free of the clinch but Alela has double underhooks.
Alela is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Holloway gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Holloway scores with a hook to the body.
Alela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alela can't find room to land a body shot as Holloway controls the action.
Alela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holloway avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Max Holloway has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sao Alela.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway lands a right hand.

Holloway breaks from the clinch.
Holloway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Holloway misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alela.
Holloway uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alela.
Holloway fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Holloway fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alela manages to avoid it.
Holloway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alela was well out of range. Poor timing from Holloway.
Alela is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Alela throws a low kick but Holloway moves out of range easily.
A cross from Alela lands.
Holloway throws a jab but it's blocked by Alela.
Alela digs a good hook to Holloway's body.
Alela on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A slow jab from Alela misses its intended target.
Holloway jabs Alela to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holloway takes a swing at Alela's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Alela on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holloway slips a jab and a cross from Alela.
Holloway scores with a leg kick.
Alela's corner calls for a 1-2. Alela obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alela drops his hands momentarily and Holloway takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Alela jabs Holloway to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Holloway has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Holloway there as he acknowledges the shot.
Holloway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alela tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Holloway lands with a nice combination. Alela backs away looking to recover.
Holloway lands with a good body shot.
Alela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holloway feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Alelas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A telegraphed right hand from Alela misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Holloway misses the target.
Holloway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alela moves away.
Alela looks to score with a jab to the body but Holloway is just out of range.
Alela is looking to slow Holloway down with leg kicks.
Holloway throws a hook to the side of Alela's head but Alela sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alela misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Alela tries a head kick but it misses.
Holloway rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Holloway throws a looping overhand right but Alela ducks down to avoid it.
Holloway scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alela will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alela has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Holloway.
Holloway cracks Alela with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Holloway looks to score with a jab to the body but Alela is just out of range.
Holloway will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Holloway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Holloway displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alela throws out the jab.
Holloway is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alela can do to turn this around?
No joy there for Holloway, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Holloway blocks a head kick by Alela.
Holloway throws a series of punches but Alela avoids them all with ease.
Alela avoids the body shot from Holloway.
Max Holloway is winning the standup battle so far.
Holloway with a jab.
Alela lands a nice looking body shot.
Holloway throws a hook to the side of Alela's head but Alela sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holloway leaves Alela with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holloway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holloway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alela moves away.
Alela connects with a nice looking jab.
Alela takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Alela keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alela is looking for the big counter here.
Holloway uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alela.
Good exchange - Alela coming out on top.
Alela dodges the punch combination from Holloway.
Holloway doesn't manage to clinch there - Alela circles away.
Alela appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A slow jab from Holloway misses its intended target.
Alela unleashes a big counter combination but Holloway bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holloway connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Alela lands with a nice body kick.
Alela moves out of range of the strikes.
Holloway fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Alela looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Holloway showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Holloway has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Holloway!
Max Holloway made sure to mention his sponsor, FUClothing in his post fight interview.