PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Azinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes comes to the cage accompanied by F.A.M.E. The crowd seem to be enjoying Azinger's choice of entrance music: Racoon - No mercy. Paul Azinger has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rodney Holmes's chin.

Holmes
vs
Azinger

189 cm
31
221 lbs
24 - 14 - 1

204 cm
27
220 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rodney Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Azinger!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azinger steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Holmes.
Azinger cracks Holmes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Azinger looks to land a left hand but Holmes moved out of range nicely.
Paul Azinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holmes looks to land a left hand but Azinger moved out of range nicely.
Holmes throws a lazy right hand but Azinger sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Holmes blocks a low kick nicely.
Azinger misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes cracks the inside of Azinger's front leg.
Azinger misses the shot to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Holmes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Holmes lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holmes blocks the elbow strike.
Azinger creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holmes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Holmes lands a shot to the body.
Holmes stalling in the clinch but Azinger improves position.
Holmes swings wildly with an uppercut but Azinger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azinger working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Azinger fails to land.
Azinger throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Holmes can't find room to land a body shot as Azinger controls the action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Azinger throws an elbow but misses.
Holmes wants to stall.
Holmes keeps control of Azinger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holmes is trying to maintain a safe position but Azinger gets an underhook and turns Holmes into the cage.
A short right from Azinger.
A head punch on the inside from Azinger fails to land.
A short right from Holmes.
Holmes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holmes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Holmes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Holmes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes scores with a hook to the body.
Azinger looks winded!
A short right from Holmes on the inside.
Holmes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Azinger.
Holmes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Azinger is rocked!
Holmes lands an uppercut.
Azinger is still on wobbly legs! Can Holmes finish him?
Holmes dips a shoulder and cracks Azinger with a mighty uppercut! Azinger falls back against the cage and Holmes unloads with a barrage of strikes! Azinger is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Holmes screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:14 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rodney Holmes!
In his post fight interview, Rodney Holmes started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.