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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Judge Holden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elbrys Gora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holden comes to the ring accompanied by Act a Fool. Gora comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cadillac Records - Howlin' Wolf Sings kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 200 cm
34
219 lbs
22 - 13 - 0 |
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184 cm
28
272 lbs
17 - 8 - 0 |
BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Judge Holden!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Elbrys Gora!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gora feints and as Holden raises his hands in defense, Gora changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Holden wants to sweep but no luck.
Holden wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gora is now in half guard.
Well, if Gora is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gora passes to side control.
Holden is trying to get back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gora trying to control the action but Holden is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Holden's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Holden struggling a bit here.
Holden tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holden is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gora off and has taken his back!
Gora is trying to break free.
Holden will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gora rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Gora has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Holden is working away from the top position though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gora moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Holden is fighting to break Gora's control of his arms but Gora is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gora is trying to keep Holden in close.
Gora working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Holden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Holden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Holden wants to pass the guard but Gora is keeping the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gora keeping moving, preventing Holden from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at Steel Penn's Furious Styles inform us that Gora has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Holden stopping the sweep attempt from Gora.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gora is on top in guard.
Holden wants to sweep here but Gora controlling him for the moment.
Gora wants to control from the top but Holden keeps moving.
Holden can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gora controls the pace.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden has control of Gora's left arm, preventing Gora from doing any damage.
Gora advances position into side control!
Gora wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
Holden tries to bench press Gora off him but Gora keeps the position.
Gora trying to control the position but Holden is working away.
Gora controlling from side mount.
Holden tries to improve position but can't.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holden is working hard here to advance position.
Gora is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Holden is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Holden is looking for a sweep.
Gora taking a breather here.
Holden can't do much from the bottom here.
Holden is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gora trying to control from half guard but Holden is working away.
Holden trying to hold on to Gora's head to control him but Gora postures up.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gora is trying to control the action in half guard but Holden is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gora might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Holden haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Holden is looking to control Gora's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Holden avoid being mounted?
Gora looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Elbrys Gora wasn't active enough on the ground.
Gora shoots in looking for a takedown. Holden tries to sprawl out of it but Gora keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Holden manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gora drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gora stopping the sweep attempt from Holden.
Holden keeping moving, preventing Gora from controlling successfully.
Gora stays in close to Holden's body and controls the position.
Holden keeping moving, preventing Gora from controlling successfully.
Gora got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holden has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gora has managed to get both his arms back between Holden's legs - danger averted.
Holden working a defensive guard here.
Holden has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gora is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Holden.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gora staying calm.
It looks like Gora might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Gora looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Holden is looking for a sweep.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Holden struggling a bit here.
Gora wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Holden's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gora is looking to take a break and control but Holden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holden is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holden struggling a bit here.
Holden gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gora is trying to control. Holden wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Elbrys Gora dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Gora shoots and misses
and Holden counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gora!
Holden tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gora is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Holden is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gora is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gora manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden trying to pass the guard but Gora defending well.
Holden works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gora is trying to escape the mount.
Holden trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gora is looking to get to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gora manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gora is looking to control Holden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gora avoid being mounted?
Gora slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gora looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gora can't keep his opponent in guard - Holden advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden is trying to control the action in half guard but Gora is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gora trying to control from the bottom.
Gora is trying to get back to full guard.
Elbrys Gora has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gora gets full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden trying to control the position from guard on top but Gora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gora tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gora 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 trying to control but Gora is working from the bottom.
Gora looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Holden puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holden wants to pass to mount but Gora is defending the position.
Gora regains full guard. Nicely done.
Holden wants to control from the top but Gora keeps moving.
Holden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gora keeping moving, preventing Holden from controlling successfully.
Holden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gora swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gora is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gora trying to control from half guard but Holden is working away.
Gora is stalling here. Holden is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Gora seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Holden has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Gora is trying to improve his position.
Holden trying to control the position but Gora is working away.
Holden wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gora, who protects the arm well.
Gora is trying to get back to half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Holden trying to control the action but Gora is working from the bottom.
Holden tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Holden is trying to get an arm triangle but Gora is defending well.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Holden goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gora has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Holden but great work by Gora.
Gora tries for a kimura but Holden is defending well.
Holden is trying to control Gora's posture but Gora avoids it.
Holden is not content to let Gora control the position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Holden is trying to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gora wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Holden is looking to reverse the position.
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 Judge Holden will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Holden displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gora.
Gora with a poor takedown
and Holden counters with a shoot takedown. Gora fights it but they end up in guard.
Gora looking to control.
Holden trying to control but Gora is working from the bottom.
Holden preventing the sweep.
Holden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gora swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gora looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gora not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Holden trying to control the position from guard on top but Gora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holden drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gora looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gora looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gora!
Gora controls the position from side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden tries to buck Gora off but Gora is having none of it.
Gora is looking to take a break and control but Holden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holden is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Holden is trying to control Gora's posture but Gora avoids it.
Gora is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Holden is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gora wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gora is looking to take a break and control but Holden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holden struggling a bit here.
Holden tries to bench press Gora off him but Gora keeps the position.
Gora looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Holden is looking for a sweep.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gora wants to control but Holden is keeping him busy.
Gora working away.
Holden manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gora is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Holden's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Holden's back!
Holden wants to escape the position.
Holden trying to control the hands but Gora won't let him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gora has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Holden has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holden manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gora's guard. Nice work there by Holden.
Gora wants to sweep but no luck.
Gora manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Holden is looking to improve his position but Gora isn't that keen on the idea.
Gora tries to control but Holden wriggling away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Holden sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Holden is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gora pulls his head out easily.
Holden actively working from the bottom here.
Gora is working for a kimura but Holden is defending it quite comfortably.
Holden actively working from the bottom here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Gora seems content to control.
Gora is thwarting Holden's attempts to control the position.
Gora is pressing down on Holden's thigh, looking to free his foot. Holden is holding on for now.
Gora moves into full mount! Holden won't be happy about that!
Holden slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Holden is trying to get back to full guard.
Holden looking for submissions off his back.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Holden wants to control but Gora is keeping busy.
Well, if Gora is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Holden trying to hold on to Gora's head to control him but Gora postures up.
Gora passes the guard and advances to mount!
Gora controlling his opponent.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gora tries to control but Holden wriggling away.
Holden regains half guard.
Holden tries to get to full guard but Gora has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gora is trying to control. Holden wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Judge Holden did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Holden gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gora tries to free his leg and advance position but Holden is retaining full guard.
Gora avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gora trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gora advances position into side control!
Holden manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gora's best efforts.
Gora is trying to control the action in half guard but Holden is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Holden is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gora pulls his head out easily.
Holden looking for submissions off his back.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden wants to get back to full guard.
Holden has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gora is working away from the top position though.
Gora trying to control from Holden's half guard. Holden has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Holden looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gora trying to control but Holden is working from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gora tries to free his leg and advance position but Holden is retaining full guard.
Gora works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gora works his way into full mount!
Holden is looking to improve his position but Gora isn't that keen on the idea.
Holden sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Holden looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gora is looking for a kimura here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gora is thwarting Holden's attempts to control the position.
Holden is concentrating on defense, preventing Gora from advancing position.
Gora trying to control from half guard but Holden is working away.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Holden trying to control but Gora postures up.
Holden is refusing to be controlled, as Gora sits in half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gora fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gora closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gora lands in his opponent's guard.
Gora tries to free his leg and advance position but Holden is retaining full guard.
Holden trying to control the position.
Gora wants to control from the top but Holden keeps moving.
Holden looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gora drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gora jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gora trying to control but Holden is working from the bottom.
Gora passes into half guard.
Holden is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gora jumps into side control!
Gora is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Holden knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gora trying to control the action but Holden is working from the bottom.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Holden manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Holden moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Holden has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gora can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gora trying to control the position from guard on top but Holden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Holden trying to keep a closed guard but Gora is proving a slippery customer.
Holden has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gora has passed into side control.
Gora wants to control but Holden is keeping him busy.
Holden is looking to regain half guard here but Gora keeps moving and retains side control.
Gora tries for a kimura but Holden is defending well.
Holden can't do much from the bottom here.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Holden is looking for a sweep.
Gora wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
Holden tries to buck Gora off but Gora is having none of it.
Gora trying to control the action but Holden is working from the bottom.
Holden wants to control but Gora postures up.
Gora happy to just control the position for now.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Holden is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gora wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holden keeps working.
Holden tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
You can see the frustration on Holden's face as Gora controls the position.
Holden tries to buck Gora off but Gora is having none of it.
Gora trying to control the position but Holden is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Elbrys Gora dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Gora shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holden as he avoids it easily.
Gora fails to land the takedown.
Holden gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gora wants to control from the top but Holden keeps moving.
Holden looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Gora is defending well. Holden quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Gora has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Holden celebrates on the ropes, with the crowd.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Judge Holden!
Judge Holden retains his heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Judge Holden thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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