PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gray Test (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Holden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nathan Holden was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Test
vs
Holden

177 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
20
155 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gray Test!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathan Holden!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holden throws a poor cross that misses
and Test counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Holden throws a hook to the side of Test's head but Test sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Holden shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Holden showed some decent athleticism there.
Test taking some punishment here, with Holden in his half guard.
Holden 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.
Test is trying to get back to full guard.
Holden lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Test is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Holden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Test regains full guard. Nicely done.

Test escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holden gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Holden won't allow Test to sweep him here.
Holden working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Holden wants to control from the top but Test keeps moving.
Holden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Holden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Test looking for a guillotine here but Holden defends easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Test is looking for a triangle but Holden pushes his legs off easily.

Test looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Holden lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Test down.
Holden scores with a couple of short elbows.
Holden looks up at the clock and then as Test takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Holden smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Holden scores with a couple of short elbows.
Test tries to bench press Holden off him but Holden keeps the position.
Test is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holden connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Test some visible discomfort.
Holden is putting a hurting on Test here, landing some big shots from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Test is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Test on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holden lands some shots froms side control.
Holden scoring with punches from side control.
Test manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Holden connects with a nice short shot to Test's temple.
Holden prevents Test from improving his position.
Holden trying to pass the guard but Test defending well.
Holden passes the guard and advances to mount!
Test working to try and regain half guard.
Holden landing strikes, looking to finish!
Holden working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Holden in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holden punishing his opponent with strikes.
Test is trying to escape the mount.
Holden working Test over with strikes here.
Holden looking to finish Test with some ground and pound. This is bad for Test!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Holden lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Holden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Test is in a horrible position here. Holden smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Holden fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holden trying to control but Test is having none of it.
Holden putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Holden with the ground and pound from mount.
Holden lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Test hang on?
Holden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Test can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Holden has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Test's face.
Holden is in the full mount, landing strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holden with the ground and pound from mount.
Test is desperately trying to improve his position but Holden has a good base and remains in mount.
Holden landing punches.
Holden is landing with some decent strikes but Test is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Holden dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holden scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Test is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Holden scores with a couple of nice shots.
Test is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Holden takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nice strikes from Holden there.
Test regains full guard. Nicely done.
Holden landing some decent shots from guard.
Holden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Test is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Holden is aware though and is defending well.
Test wants to sweep here but Holden controlling him for the moment.
Holden chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden is in close to Test's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nathan Holden has got the better of the ground game so far.
Holden works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Holden is nestled in close to Test, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Holden frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Test tries to reverse the position but Holden maintains control.
Holden breaks from Test's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Holden lands a big elbow.
Holden raining down hammerfists from mount.
Holden landing strikes, looking to finish!
Holden prevents Test from getting the reversal.
Holden raining down hammerfists from mount.
Holden scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Holden pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Holden working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Test is trying desperately to improve position.
Holden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Test can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden punishing his opponent with strikes.
Test is looking to get to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holden fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Holden lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Holden has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Test's face.
Test in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Holden landing strikes from the mount and Test is in trouble!
Test really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Holden working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Holden working the ground and pound effectively.
Holden looking to control but Test is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Holden lands a big shot there that rocks Test but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Test that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holden scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Test is looking to improve his position but Holden isn't that keen on the idea.
Holden breaks from Test's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Holden tries to control but Test wriggling away.
Test is working to get back to half guard.
Holden has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Test's face.
Holden tries to control but Test wriggling away.
Holden lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Test hang on?
Test is wriggling around trying to escape.
Holden with good strikes from the mount here!
Test keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Holden working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holden raining down hammerfists from mount.
BOOM! Holden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Test tries to reverse the position but Holden maintains control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Holden cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Test is looking to get to half guard.
Test taking shots to the head.
Test taking shots to the head.
The referee warns Test that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holden unloading with bombs!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holden with shots to the head and body - Test looks very uncomfortable down there.
Holden is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Test is rocked!
Holden looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Oh Test is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Holden 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! This is the final round!

Test shoots and misses
and Holden counters with a stiff right hand.
Test seems to have got his legs back now.

Holden bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Holden connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Test some visible discomfort.
Test takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Holden has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Holden lands a big shot there that rocks Test but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Test is trying desperately to improve position.
Holden tries to control but Test wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Test is desperately trying to improve his position but Holden has a good base and remains in mount.
A nice elbow there by Holden.
Holden lands a heavy elbow.
The referee warns Test that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Test can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The referee warns Test that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holden with good strikes from the mount here!
Holden scoring with strikes but Test is staying in there.
Holden is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Holden working Test over with strikes here.
Holden lands a big elbow.
Test is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holden postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Test looks a forlorn figure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Test takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Holden postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Test looks a forlorn figure.
Test is desperately trying to improve his position but Holden has a good base and remains in mount.
Holden lands a big shot there that rocks Test but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Holden lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Holden looking to control but Test is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Test is working to get back to half guard.
Holden dominating with strikes here.
Holden raining down shots from the mount!
Test is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holden lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden unloading with bombs!
Holden scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Test?
Test is desperately trying to improve his position but Holden has a good base and remains in mount.
Holden raining down shots from the mount!
Holden looking to finish Test with some ground and pound. This is bad for Test!
Holden connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holden working the ground and pound effectively.
Holden looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holden postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Test looks a forlorn figure.
Test is in all sorts of trouble here.
Test taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden with the ground and pound from mount.
Holden lands with some strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holden punishing his opponent with strikes.
Holden landing strikes from the mount and Test is in trouble!
Holden with the ground and pound from mount.
Gray Test has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holden lands with some strikes.
Holden lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Test hang on?
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Holden cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Holden lands a big shot there that rocks Test but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Test is bucking up trying to escape but Holden cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Test is desperately trying to improve his position but Holden has a good base and remains in mount.
Test bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holden keeping full guard, as Test tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Holden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holden 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 25:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 25:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Holden!