PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Olly Holy (ranked 442 p4p, 563 weight class) and Anton Ilmarinen (ranked 58 p4p, 78 weight class). Olly Holy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Holy
vs
Ilmarinen

175 cm
22
185
8 - 1 - 0

186 cm
29
198
10 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid Muay Thai
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013
The Natural Order

Fantasy Threads
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Olly Holy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anton Ilmarinen!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ilmarinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ilmarinen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ilmarinen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Holy looks to clinch

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Holy won't be happy with that.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holy keeps working.
Holy is trying to control Ilmarinen's posture but Ilmarinen avoids it.
Ilmarinen trying to control the action but Holy is working from the bottom.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holy is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Holy is trying to control but Ilmarinen passes into side control!
Holy can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holy is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Holy's coaches at BLK ELITE MASTERS have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Ilmarinen is looking to take a break and control but Holy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ilmarinen in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Holy is trying to get back to half guard.
Holy is letting Ilmarinen control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Let's hope that Ilmarinen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holy keeps working.
Holy is looking for a sweep.
Holy trying to control but Ilmarinen flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Holy just trying to survive but Ilmarinen is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Ilmarinen is hanging on to Holy's back as he tries to escape.
Ilmarinen is working the ground and pound. Can Holy escape?
Holy trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy trying to control the position but Ilmarinen manages to sink in the hooks.
Holy is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ilmarinen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ilmarinen scores with punches from the back.
Ilmarinen slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Ilmarinen tries to get the hooks in deep but Holy pushed the leg off.
Ilmarinen scores with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy trying to control the hands but Ilmarinen breaks the grip.
Holy rolls, trying to escape but Ilmarinen keeps control of the position.
Good control from Ilmarinen.
Holy trying to control the action but Ilmarinen just sinks the hooks in.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ilmarinen connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Holy to escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Holy tries to clinch up.
Ilmarinen with the counter takedown but Holy avoids it easily.
Holy tries to close the distance and clinch but Ilmarinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ilmarinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Holy.
Holy looks to clinch

and Ilmarinen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Holy trying to hold on to Ilmarinen's head to control him but Ilmarinen postures up.

Holy looking for submissions off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holy is trying to maintain the position but Ilmarinen is very close to passing his half guard.
Holy might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Holy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ilmarinen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holy trying to control from the bottom.

Holy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ilmarinen pulls his head out easily.

Holy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ilmarinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ilmarinen trying to control the pace.
Holy is looking to control Ilmarinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Holy avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ilmarinen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ilmarinen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ilmarinen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Holy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ilmarinen unleashes a big counter combination but Holy bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Holy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Holy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Holy fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy tries to clinch up but Ilmarinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Ilmarinen fails with a takedown attempt.
Holy blocks a jab.
Ilmarinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Holy.
Ilmarinen misses with a straight right.
Holy is looking to counter the offense by Ilmarinen and move into the clinch.
Holy wants to clinch up but Ilmarinen keeps it at a distance.
Holy looks to clinch

and Ilmarinen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Holy keeps moving.
Holy being controlled here, momentarily.

Holy working for submissions but it's allowed Ilmarinen to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy is trying to control but Ilmarinen passes into side control!
Ilmarinen wants to control but Holy is keeping him busy.
Ilmarinen is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Holy will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holy can't do much from the bottom here.
Holy tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Ilmarinen easily slips into full mount!
Ilmarinen wants to control the pace but Holy is squirming around nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Holy moves out of range as Ilmarinen strikes.
Ilmarinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ilmarinen cracks Holy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Holy ducks under a wild hook from Ilmarinen.
Holy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ilmarinen.

Holy clinches up with Ilmarinen and pushes him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holy as Ilmarinen tries to tie him up.
Holy fails to pull guard.
Ilmarinen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ilmarinen can't find room to land a body shot as Holy controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holy tries to pull guard but Ilmarinen holds him up against the cage and eventually Holy drops back down to his feet.
Holy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ilmarinen walks away with a smile on his face. Holy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Olly Holy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ilmarinen. Holy does a little dance to reset his feet.

Holy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holy jumps guard but Ilmarinen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Holy blocks an uppercut.
Holy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Holy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ilmarinen walks away with a smile on his face. Holy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ilmarinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Holy.
A big right from Ilmarinen misses.
Ilmarinen misses with a hook.
Holy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ilmarinen throws out the jab.
Holy looks to clinch
and Ilmarinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ilmarinen, as that shot connected.

Ilmarinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ilmarinen lands in his opponent's guard.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Holy is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen is pushing down on Holy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Holy is fighting to maintain full guard but Ilmarinen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ilmarinen trying to control from half guard but Holy is working away.
Ilmarinen is controlling the pace.

Holy looking for submissions off his back.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holy keeps working.
Ilmarinen controlling the action here.
Ilmarinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ilmarinen is working away from the top position though.
Ilmarinen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ilmarinen not doing much here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Holy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Holy is trying to hold Ilmarinen in close to prevent damage but Ilmarinen has managed to pass into half guard.

Holy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ilmarinen pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Holy is staying active underneath Ilmarinen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Holy looking for submissions off his back.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ilmarinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ilmarinen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Holy is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holy works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ilmarinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen really dominated that round.
That's time! Holy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Holy is looking to clinch.
Holy slips a straight right by Ilmarinen.
Holy tries to clinch there but Ilmarinen circles away.
Ilmarinen misses the shot to the body.
Holy is looking to counter the offense by Ilmarinen and move into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ilmarinen. Holy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Olly Holy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ilmarinen fails to land the takedown.
Holy tries to clinch there but Ilmarinen circles away.
Holy tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ilmarinen is keen to just control but Holy is a slippery customer.
Anton Ilmarinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Holy looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holy actively working from the bottom here.

Holy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ilmarinen controlling the pace.
Ilmarinen working the head and body with strikes.
Ilmarinen is thwarting Holy's attempts to control the position.
Holy has hold of Ilmarinen's hands but Ilmarinen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ilmarinen controlling the action here.
Ilmarinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Holy trying to control from the bottom.

Holy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Holy trying to control but Ilmarinen postures up.

Holy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen passes into side.
Ilmarinen controls the position.
Holy can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen has control of an arm but Holy manages to advance to Ilmarinen's back!

Holy is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Ilmarinen tries to break free.

Ilmarinen is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy.
Holy controlling well, preventing Ilmarinen from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ilmarinen showing good submission defense here.
Ilmarinen prevents Holy from getting a body triangle.

Ilmarinen preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Holy.

Holy is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ilmarinen has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Ilmarinen is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilmarinen is in bad spot here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Anton Ilmarinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A swing and a miss from Ilmarinen.
Holy is looking to clinch.

Ilmarinen gets a takedown into half guard.
Holy trying to hold on to Ilmarinen's head to control him but Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ilmarinen wants to pass the guard but Holy is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holy preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Holy is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen passes into side control, despite Holy's attempt to control the position.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position but Holy is working away.
Holy struggling a bit here.
Holy is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Holy gets back to half guard.

Holy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ilmarinen pulls his head out easily.
Holy trying to control from the bottom.
Ilmarinen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Holy!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Holy is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ilmarinen wants to control the pace but Holy is squirming around nicely.
Ilmarinen tries to push Holy's head away but Holy is holding on tight.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ilmarinen working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Holy taking shots to the head.
Holy is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ilmarinen working the ground and pound effectively.
Holy wants to hold on but Ilmarinen pushes him away.
Anton Ilmarinen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Holy is squirming around, avoiding Ilmarinen's attempts to control the action.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Olly Holy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ilmarinen content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Ilmarinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ilmarinen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 44:50
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 42:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Ilmarinen!
Anton Ilmarinen is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Anton Ilmarinen thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.