PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hank Gauthier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and john holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gauthier
vs
holmes

200 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
21
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hank Gauthier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, john holmes!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Bruno Lombardi and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gauthier feints and as holmes raises his hands in defense, Gauthier changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gauthier thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gauthier might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gauthier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gauthier drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gauthier jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

holmes had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gauthier is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. holmes Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gauthier's back instead.
holmes is hanging on to Gauthier's back as he tries to escape.
Gauthier turns into holmes and is now in his guard.
holmes wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gauthier forces his way into half guard.

Gauthier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so holmes is just riding it out for now. Gauthier eventually gives up the hold.

Gauthier is working for a submission of some sort.
Gauthier is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

holmes looking for submissions off his back.

Gauthier is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and holmes defends it well.

Gauthier is looking for a kimura but holmes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gauthier to get the leverage.
holmes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for holmes.

holmes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

holmes has his feet on Gauthier's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

holmes instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

holmes jumps into guard, dragging Gauthier to the mat.

Gauthier has gone for a leg lock! holmes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gauthier's guard.
holmes looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gauthier is on top in guard.

holmes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

holmes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gauthier works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Gauthier is looking for a kimura but holmes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gauthier to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gauthier is working for a kimura but holmes is defending it quite comfortably.

Gauthier seems to be working for a kimura but holmes defends the submission attempt.
holmes moves into full guard.

Gauthier thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gauthier drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gauthier jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gauthier prevents holmes from getting back to his feet.
holmes keeping full guard, as Gauthier tries to pass.
holmes trying to keep a closed guard but Gauthier is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

holmes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gauthier prevents holmes from moving into mount.
Gauthier manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Gauthier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
holmes wants to get back to his feet.

Gauthier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so holmes is just riding it out for now. Gauthier eventually gives up the hold.

Gauthier is looking for a kimura but holmes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gauthier to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but john holmes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

holmes shoots and misses

and Gauthier counters with a shoot takedown. holmes fights it but they end up in guard.

holmes working for a triangle but Gauthier defends it easily.
holmes is trying to control the position but Gauthier postures up.
Gauthier sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed holmes's guard.

Gauthier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so holmes is just riding it out for now. Gauthier eventually gives up the hold.

Gauthier is trying to work for a kimura but holmes is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Gauthier seems to be working for a kimura but holmes defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gauthier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so holmes is just riding it out for now. Gauthier eventually gives up the hold.
Hank Gauthier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
holmes works his way to full guard. Good work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Gauthier postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! holmes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gauthier, into his guard.
holmes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
holmes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gauthier is keeping the position for now.

Gauthier working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. holmes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. holmes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
holmes wants to stand but Gauthier has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
holmes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gauthier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. holmes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

holmes gets to his feet - Gauthier follows without any prompting.
Hank Gauthier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
holmes tries for a takedown but Gauthier sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
holmes shoots for a takedown but Gauthier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hank Gauthier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of john holmes.

Gauthier scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
holmes is trying to control but can't.

Gauthier is looking for a kimura here.

Gauthier seems to be working for a kimura but holmes defends the submission attempt.
holmes is pressing down on Gauthier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

holmes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gauthier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gauthier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

holmes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gauthier thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gauthier has gone for a leg lock! holmes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gauthier's guard.

Gauthier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. holmes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
holmes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gauthier could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Gauthier is looking for a triangle but holmes pushes his legs off easily.
Gauthier wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Gauthier dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

holmes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gauthier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

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

holmes is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Gauthier pulls his head out easily.

Gauthier has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can holmes defend it? Gauthier steps over the head and cranks it - holmes is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Gauthier!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Hank Gauthier!