PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "Unsettling Differences" by Blue Smock Nancy kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
Holmes

165 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
212 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andre Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith has his takedown stuffed

and Holmes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.

Holmes gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Holmes counters with a crisp one two that drops Smith! Holmes thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Smith to his feet! Smith is in big trouble!

Smith is rocked!
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!
Smith shoots and misses

and Holmes counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holmes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Holmes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Holmes has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Holmes stands up and waves to Smith to follow him.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Smith. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Holmes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holmes stands and steps away. Smith gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Holmes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Holmes jumps into guard, dragging Smith to the mat.
Holmes is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Holmes lands strikes from half guard.
Holmes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Holmes throwing shots but Smith is blocking nicely.
Smith is in trouble now - Holmes has advanced to mount!
Holmes looking to control and managing it successfully.
Holmes landing strikes, looking to finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Holmes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Smith looks a forlorn figure.
Smith is bucking up trying to escape but Holmes cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Holmes is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Holmes scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Holmes trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Holmes is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Holmes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Andre Holmes!
Andre Holmes opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.