PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Holliday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Opossum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Opossum has chosen Slayer- Postmortem as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holliday
vs
Opossum

170 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Holliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, The Opossum!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holliday throws a series of strikes that have Opossum backpedaling.

It looks like The Opossum has been cut.
Opossum shoots in for a double leg but Holliday sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Holliday shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holliday controlling the action here.
Holliday wants to pass to mount but Opossum is defending the position.
Opossum pushes Holliday off looking to stand but Holliday dives back in and keeps control.
Holliday is taking a breather. Opossum says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Opossum wants to control but Holliday is keeping busy.
Opossum is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday trying to mount his opponent but Opossum defends it.
Opossum is looking to escape.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Opossum shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Holliday counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Opossum manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Holliday tries to reverse the position but Opossum maintains control.
Holliday wants to control but Opossum is having none of it.
Holliday tries to reverse the position but Opossum maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opossum tries to control but Holliday wriggling away.

Opossum goes for an armbar but Holliday turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Holliday.
Holliday wants to pass the guard but Opossum is keeping the position.
Holliday postures up.
Opossum can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Holliday controls the pace.
Holliday trying to control the position from guard on top but Opossum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Opossum is pulling down on Holliday's head. It's preventing any offense from Holliday, at least for the moment.
Holliday trying to control but Opossum is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Opossum working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Holliday has passed into half guard!
Holliday wants to control but Opossum is keeping him busy.
Holliday prevents Opossum from improving his position.
Holliday takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

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.
Opossum wants to control but Holliday is keeping busy.
Holliday not doing much here.

Opossum looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holliday is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Holliday dominated that round.
The cut man is working on The Opossum's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Holliday lands a nice shot that snaps Opossum's head back.
Holliday displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Holliday fails with the takedown.
Opossum shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holliday sprawls well. Holliday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Opossum gets slowly back to his feet.
Opossum tries to clinch
and Holliday cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Holliday fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Opossum manages to avoid it.
Opossum has his takedown stuffed
and Holliday counters with a nice body shot.
Holliday darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Holliday swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Opossum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Opossum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Holliday throws a nice looking combination but Opossum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holliday swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Opossum fails with the takedown.
Mike Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Opossum.
Opossum moves out of range as Holliday strikes.
Opossum pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Opossum has his takedown stuffed

and Holliday counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Opossum is trying to maintain the position but Holliday is very close to passing his half guard.
Holliday is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opossum is trying to get back to full guard.
Opossum is trying to control but can't.
Holliday controlling the action here.
Opossum makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Opossum.
Holliday has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Holliday looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday won't allow Opossum to get back to his feet.
Holliday wants to control from the top but Opossum keeps moving.

Opossum is looking for a triangle but Holliday pushes his legs off easily.

That's four 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.
Holliday trying to control but Opossum is working from the bottom.
Holliday showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Mike Holliday just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Opossum gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Holliday counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Opossum is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Holliday scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holliday is thwarting Opossum's attempts to control the position.
Holliday sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Holliday dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on The Opossum's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Opossum with a lazy takedown attempt

and Holliday counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Opossum tries to roll over but Holliday keeps him under control.
Opossum is trying to maintain the position but Holliday is very close to passing his half guard.
Holliday takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Holliday trying to pass the guard but Opossum defending well.
Holliday is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mike Holliday overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Opossum works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday looking to sit in guard and control but Opossum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Opossum wants to stand but Holliday is controlling his posture from full guard.

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

Opossum stands up and waves to Holliday to follow him.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Opossum moved out of range.

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.
Opossum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Opossum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holliday shoots and misses

and Opossum counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Holliday's guard now.
Holliday is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Holliday keeping moving, preventing Opossum from controlling successfully.
Holliday being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Opossum trying to control the position from guard on top but Holliday is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Holliday is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Opossum is aware though and is defending well.
Opossum passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Opossum sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Holliday is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Opossum controlling the position.

Opossum decides to stand up, so the ref orders Holliday to his feet.
Mike Holliday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holliday thows a body shot but no joy.

Opossum shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Holliday is not content to let Opossum control the position.
The Opossum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Opossum drops an elbow to the side of Holliday's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Opossum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holliday 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Holliday!