PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Duilio Tagliabue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hard Holly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tagliabue's entrance music is Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked. A fine choice. Holly has chosen Hard Core as his entrance music. Hard Holly will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Tagliabue
vs
Holly

173 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
164 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

GMMA Supps ($30 156!!)
GMMA Supps ($30 156!!)

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duilio Tagliabue!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hard Holly!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holly shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tagliabue but Tagliabue pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Tagliabue clinches up against the cage.
Tagliabue gets underhooks to prevent Holly's takedown attempt.
Tagliabue lands a shoulder strike.
Tagliabue has Holly pushed against the cage.
Holly on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Holly is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Duilio Tagliabue has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hard Holly.
Holly blocks an uppercut.
Tagliabue misses with a body punch.
Tagliabue throws a head punch that misses.
Holly tries to score a body lock takedown but Tagliabue shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tagliabue doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tagliabue misses with a punch on the inside.
Tagliabue gets through Holly's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tagliabue is trying to maintain a safe position but Holly gets an underhook and turns Tagliabue into the cage.
Tagliabue lands a left hand.
Tagliabue controlling the action here for a moment.
Holly changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tagliabue fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tagliabue has Holly up against the cage in a clinch.

Holly manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Holly bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tagliabue's guard.
Holly postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tagliabue might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Holly thows a big elbow that misses.
Holly wanted to stand there but Tagliabue had control of the position.
Holly throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tagliabue works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holly tries to free his leg and advance position but Tagliabue is retaining full guard.
Holly loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holly has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tagliabue looking to control.
Holly wants to stand and escape but instead Tagliabue has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Holly wants to control but Tagliabue passes easily into half guard.
Holly keeping control of the position.
Holly missing with punches from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holly flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holly pushes Tagliabue off but Tagliabue dives into side control.
Holly tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Tagliabue easily slips into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holly is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Holly is trying to reverse the position but instead Tagliabue has taken his back - oops!

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.
Holly breaks Tagliabue's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Tagliabue utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holly accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Holly postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tagliabue is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Holly, into his guard.

Holly has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tagliabue can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Holly wants to stand but Tagliabue is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duilio Tagliabue dominated that round.
That's time! Tagliabue's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tagliabue throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tagliabue tries to clinch up.

Tagliabue has managed to clinch.
Tagliabue is looking to control Holly's arms but Holly gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tagliabue has his back to the cage.
Holly tries for a takedown but Tagliabue manages to get underhooks.

Tagliabue breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holly looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jab by Tagliabue.
Holly on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tagliabue takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Holly shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tagliabue is trying to defend but Holly finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Holly wants to control but Tagliabue is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holly throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Holly thows a huge punch but Tagliabue dodges it nicely.
Holly thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Holly is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Holly is working for a submission of some sort.

Holly is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tagliabue doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Holly.

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.
Holly thows a huge punch but Tagliabue dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tagliabue blocking the ground and pound attempt from Holly.

Holly wants to work for an arm triangle but Tagliabue is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Holly is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Tagliabue to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Tagliabue is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Holly with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Tagliabue is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Holly drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tagliabue looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tagliabue looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tagliabue!
Tagliabue wants to control but Holly is keeping him busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Holly can do anything to dispel that myth.
Holly is looking for a sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Duilio Tagliabue will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Holly shoots in looking for a takedown. Tagliabue tries to sprawl out of it but Holly keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tagliabue manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tagliabue scores with a three punch combo!
Tagliabue lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tagliabue throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holly will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Tagliabue moves into range and clinches up with Holly.
Tagliabue lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tagliabue throws a punch but it's blocked by Holly.
Holly wants to get back to striking at distance but Tagliabue won't allow it.
Holly has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tagliabue is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Duilio Tagliabue has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hard Holly.
Holly looking for a takedown.
Holly tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tagliabue misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tagliabue wants to stall.
Holly takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tagliabue is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tagliabue is trying to stall.

Tagliabue manages to break the clinch.
Holly will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tagliabue jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Holly walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Holly throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tagliabue's waist but Tagliabue gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holly off to one side.
Holly takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Holly shoots for a double leg takedown but Tagliabue sprawls well. He's pushed Holly's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Duilio Tagliabue is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tagliabue pushes Holly up against the cage in a clinch.
Tagliabue creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Holly's defenses.
Tagliabue content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tagliabue takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tagliabue breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tagliabue lets loose with a powerful body kick. Holly will feel that in the morning.
Tagliabue fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Holly shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tagliabue throws a good cross that connects.
Tagliabue scores with a nice strike.

Tagliabue closes the distance and clinches.
A hook to the body from Tagliabue.
A short uppercut from Tagliabue.
Tagliabue throws a head punch that misses.
Tagliabue swings wildly with an uppercut but Holly uses good head movement to avoid it.

Tagliabue breaks the clinch.
Tagliabue jabs Holly right on the nose. Holly blinks but takes it well.
Holly fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holly closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tagliabue circles away.
Holly gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tagliabue lands with a thumping leg kick.
A left lands for Tagliabue.
Tagliabue lands with an overhand left.
Tagliabue fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Holly.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tagliabue.
Holly will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A left and a right from Tagliabue both land. Nice combination.
Tagliabue connects with a single shot there.

Tagliabue rushes Holly and presses him up against the cage.
Holly is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Tagliabue's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holly shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tagliabue as he jumps to the side.
A nice combination there by Tagliabue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holly shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Tagliabue forces Holly back against the cage and clinches.
Tagliabue cracks Holly with a nice body shot.
Holly jumps guard but Tagliabue stands there with Holly around his waist. Holly gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Tagliabue's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tagliabue moves into the clinch.
Duilio Tagliabue is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Tagliabue breaks the clinch.

Tagliabue rushes Holly and presses him up against the cage.

Tagliabue breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hard Holly has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holly shoots in for a double leg but Tagliabue sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holly takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Tagliabue moves into the clinch.
Tagliabue looking to stall.
Tagliabue lands on the inside with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duilio Tagliabue showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tagliabue, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duilio Tagliabue!