PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Ilmarinen (ranked 311 p4p, 744 weight class) and Olly Holy (ranked 42 p4p, 105 weight class). Anton Ilmarinen has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ilmarinen
vs
Holy

186 cm
30
198
11 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
185
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anton Ilmarinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Olly Holy!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holy stuffs the takedown.
Holy tries to counter with a clinch but Ilmarinen shakes him off and moves away.
Holy moves to clinch but Ilmarinen breaks away

and Ilmarinen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ilmarinen trying to control the pace.
Holy is trying to maintain the position but Ilmarinen is very close to passing his half guard.
Holy wants to get back to full guard.

Holy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ilmarinen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Holy trying to control but Ilmarinen postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Holy wants to get back to full guard but Ilmarinen has mounted him!
Holy is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Ilmarinen avoids the attempt from Holy to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Holy is squirming around, avoiding Ilmarinen's attempts to control the action.
Ilmarinen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Holy tries to lock up and control but Ilmarinen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Holy is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ilmarinen is staying active.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilmarinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Holy is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Holy keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ilmarinen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Holy is having none of it.
Holy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holy gets back to half guard.
Holy desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ilmarinen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.
Ilmarinen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holy keeps working.
Holy controlling the position well.
Ilmarinen passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ilmarinen controlling from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holy is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Holy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ilmarinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Ilmarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Holy is quick to defend against it.
Holy moves in looking to clinch but Ilmarinen pushes him off.
Holy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Holy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ilmarinen is defended easily by Holy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Ilmarinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Holy doesn't manage to clinch there - Ilmarinen circles away.
Ilmarinen throwing a counter right hand but Holy manages to avoid it.
Holy looks to clinch

so Ilmarinen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilmarinen defends well.
Ilmarinen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Anton Ilmarinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Holy holds on and takes a little breather.

Holy working for submissions but it's allowed Ilmarinen to get to half guard.
Holy is looking to control Ilmarinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Holy avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

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 is controlling Ilmarinen's trapped leg to prevent Ilmarinen from advancing to side control.
Ilmarinen lands with a punch from half guard.
Holy felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Holy is trying to maintain the position but Ilmarinen is very close to passing his half guard.
Ilmarinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holy can do to turn this around?
Ilmarinen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Holy is trying to control but can't.

Holy looking for submissions off his back.
Holy manages to get to full guard.
Ilmarinen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ilmarinen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy is trying to control the position but Ilmarinen postures up.

Holy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Holy keeps moving.

Holy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Olly Holy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holy doesn't manage to clinch there - Ilmarinen circles away.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen moves out of range.
Ilmarinen with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ilmarinen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Holy pulls Ilmarinen in to control the position.
Ilmarinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Holy keeps moving.
Holy looking to control but Ilmarinen passes into half guard.

Holy looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ilmarinen passes into side control!
Holy is looking to regain half guard here but Ilmarinen keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holy on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Holy sneaks back into half guard.
Ilmarinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen dominated that second 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.

Holy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holy doesn't manage to clinch there - Ilmarinen circles away.
Ilmarinen thuds his right hand into Holy's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Holy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holy tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ilmarinen wants to pass the guard but Holy is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ilmarinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Holy is controlling Ilmarinen's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilmarinen defends well.
Holy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Holy is pulling down on Ilmarinen's head to control his posture.
Ilmarinen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Holy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ilmarinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Holy working a defensive guard here.

That's two 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 engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Holy keeping moving, preventing Ilmarinen from controlling successfully.
Holy 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.
Holy is trying to hold Ilmarinen in close to prevent damage but Ilmarinen has managed to pass into half guard.
Holy is trying to control but can't.
Holy is looking for a sweep. Ilmarinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Ilmarinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy trying to control but Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ilmarinen moves into full mount! Holy won't be happy about that!
Holy wants to hold on but Ilmarinen pushes him away.
Holy is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
Ilmarinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Holy sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Holy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ilmarinen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Holy trying to keep a closed guard but Ilmarinen is proving a slippery customer.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilmarinen controlling from the top position.
Ilmarinen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ilmarinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ilmarinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ilmarinen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Holy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ilmarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Holy is quick to defend against it.
Holy is looking to clinch.
Ilmarinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ilmarinen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Holy sprawls and moves away.
Ilmarinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ilmarinen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Holy closes the distance but Ilmarinen moves to the side
and Holy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ilmarinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ilmarinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ilmarinen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Holy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ilmarinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Anton Ilmarinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Holy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen attempts a counter takedown but Holy avoids it well and moves away.
Holy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ilmarinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holy moves to clinch but Ilmarinen breaks away

and Ilmarinen counters with a single leg into guard. Holy didn't expect that.
Holy working a defensive guard here.
Ilmarinen passes Holy's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ilmarinen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ilmarinen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Holy!
Ilmarinen working the ground and pound effectively.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Holy is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen content just to control the position here.
Holy holds of for dear life.
Holy in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen working the ground and pound effectively.
The referee warns Holy that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holy is looking to improve his position but Ilmarinen isn't that keen on the idea.
Ilmarinen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Holy wants to control but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Holy is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ilmarinen wants to control the pace but Holy is squirming around nicely.
Ilmarinen controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy is squirming around, avoiding Ilmarinen's attempts to control the action.
Holy tries to hold on but Ilmarinen pushes him away.
Ilmarinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Holy is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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 had his way with Olly Holy in 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Holy tries to clinch up.
Ilmarinen attempts a counter takedown but Holy avoids it well and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ilmarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Holy is quick to defend against it.
Ilmarinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ilmarinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Holy.
Holy tries to clinch there but Ilmarinen circles away.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
A counter left hand to the body from Ilmarinen misses its target.
Holy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ilmarinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ilmarinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A jab lands there for Ilmarinen.
Holy ducks under a wild hook from Ilmarinen.
Olly Holy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holy tries to clinch but Ilmarinen moves out of range.
Ilmarinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Holy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holy looks to clinch

so Ilmarinen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ilmarinen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ilmarinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ilmarinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ilmarinen has managed to get both his arms back between Holy's legs - danger averted.
Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Holy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holy trying to keep a closed guard but Ilmarinen is proving a slippery customer.
Ilmarinen is in close to Holy's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Holy controls Ilmarinen momentarily but Ilmarinen frees himself.

Holy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilmarinen defends well.
Ilmarinen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ilmarinen wants to pass the guard but Holy is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holy seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ilmarinen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ilmarinen is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ilmarinen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Holy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Olly Holy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen throws a good cross that connects.
Holy darts in trying to clinch

and Ilmarinen counters with a shoot takedown. Holy fights it but they end up in guard.

Holy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ilmarinen connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holy trying to keep a closed guard but Ilmarinen is proving a slippery customer.
Ilmarinen content to stall in guard here.
Holy trying to keep a closed guard but Ilmarinen is proving a slippery customer.
Anton Ilmarinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ilmarinen sitting in guard here, content to control.

Ilmarinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ilmarinen has managed to get both his arms back between Holy's legs - danger averted.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holy trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Ilmarinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ilmarinen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:44
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 50:43
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Ilmarinen!
Anton Ilmarinen retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Anton Ilmarinen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.