PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Houston Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Holden Mcgroin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Houston Alexander has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alexander
vs
Mcgroin

186 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Houston Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Holden Mcgroin!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcgroin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Mcgroin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mcgroin avoids the elbow strike from Alexander, against the cage.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but Mcgroin blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Alexander throws an elbow but misses.
Alexander misses with a knee to the head.
Alexander throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mcgroin blocks it with crossed arms.

Mcgroin gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Mcgroin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mcgroin blocks the strikes from Alexander.
Alexander is trying to get back to full guard.
Alexander flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Alexander throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexander throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mcgroin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alexander's head.
Mcgroin wants to pass to mount but Alexander is defending the position.
Mcgroin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alexander. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Alexander tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mcgroin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mcgroin shoots in for a double leg but Alexander sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mcgroin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alexander tries to clinch but Mcgroin moves out of range.
Alexander darts in trying to clinch

and Mcgroin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mcgroin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgroin trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
Alexander wants to get back to his feet but Mcgroin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Alexander is breathing heavily.

Alexander is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mcgroin dodges an elbow strike from Alexander.
Mcgroin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alexander pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mcgroin has Alexander pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Alexander manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Houston Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holden Mcgroin.
Alexander lands an elbow inside.
Mcgroin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mcgroin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alexander is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alexander lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mcgroin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alexander pulls his leg out and moves away.
Alexander tries to clinch but Mcgroin moves out of range.

Alexander gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander lands an elbow just above Mcgroin 's eye.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mcgroin can't break the clinch.
Mcgroin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Alexander fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mcgroin has a takedown stuffed.
Houston Alexander is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mcgroin tries to keep at a distance but Alexander has taken the fight into the clinch.

Alexander is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mcgroin is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Alexander to the mat. Alexander regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mcgroin stopping the sweep attempt from Alexander.
Alexander manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mcgroin manages to get himself to full guard.
Alexander keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mcgroin's head.
Alexander working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mcgroin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Mcgroin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alexander avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alexander lands an elbow that stopped Mcgroin in his tracks for a moment.
Alexander throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mcgroin pushes Alexander back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Alexander throws an elbow but misses.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but Mcgroin blocks with his arms.
Alexander pushes off an throws an elbow but Mcgroin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mcgroin goes for a takedown attempt but Alexander pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mcgroin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mcgroin showed some decent athleticism there.
Alexander moves into full guard.
Alexander lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mcgroin!
Alexander raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgroin regains half guard.
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. Alexander connects with a nice short shot to Mcgroin's temple.
Alexander throwing shots but Mcgroin is blocking nicely.
Alexander missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mcgroin tries to get to full guard but Alexander has control of the leg.
Alexander throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mcgroin can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alexander not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mcgroin wants to control but Alexander is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alexander looks to clinch
and Mcgroin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Mcgroin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alexander connects with a solid leg kick.
No luck for Mcgroin with that takedown attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mcgroin. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Mcgroin instigates a clinch.
Alexander tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alexander misses with an elbow over the top.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but Mcgroin blocks with his arms.
Mcgroin tries to score a body lock takedown but Alexander shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
With the fighters up against the cage, Alexander throws an elbow but misses.
Mcgroin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alexander pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Houston Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holden Mcgroin.
Alexander creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mcgroin's defenses.
Alexander lands a damaging elbow.
Alexander misses with an elbow over the top.
Mcgroin blocks an elbow strike.

Mcgroin manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcgroin moves into the clinch.
Alexander creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mcgroin avoids a wild elbow strike from Alexander.
Mcgroin goes for a takedown attempt but Alexander pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Alexander throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander tries to clinch but Mcgroin is having none of it.
Alexander is looking to land body kicks.
Mcgroin stalks Alexander and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Alexander's face. Alexander staggers backwards, shaken.
Alexander tries to clinch up but Mcgroin circles away and keeps his distance.
Alexander pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Mcgroin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alexander's guard.
Alexander trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Alexander avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alexander manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mcgroin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Alexander lands a heavy elbow.
Alexander throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Alexander throwing strikes here but Mcgroin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander thowing shots but they're missing.
Mcgroin manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Mcgroin pushes Alexander off and gets back to his feet.
Mcgroin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alexander.
Alexander connects with a solid leg kick.
Alexander moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Alexander darts in and clinches Mcgroin up against the cage.
Mcgroin lands a shot to the body.
Alexander with a knee to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Alexander just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mcgroin's brow.
Mcgroin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mcgroin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alexander prevents it.
Mcgroin wants a takedown but no success here.
Mcgroin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alexander prevents it.
Mcgroin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander looking to throw knees to the head but Mcgroin is blocking nicely.
Mcgroin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Alexander gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Alexander looking to throw knees to the head but Mcgroin is blocking nicely.
Alexander pushes off an fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Alexander.

Mcgroin lands a takedown into guard.
Mcgroin thows a big elbow that misses.
Mcgroin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Alexander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Alexander looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexander trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Alexander tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mcgroin trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexander trying to strike off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Mcgroin has closed the distance and engaged Alexander in a clinch.
Alexander misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgroin blocks an elbow strike.
Alexander throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mcgroin blocks it with crossed arms.
Mcgroin can't get the takedown.
Alexander misses with an elbow over the top.
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alexander with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander pushes off an throws an elbow but Mcgroin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Mcgroin has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Alexander is trying to keep an underhook but Mcgroin manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Alexander pushes Mcgroin off and gets back to his feet.
Mcgroin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Mcgroin persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexander clinches but Mcgroin breaks the clinch
and Mcgroin counters with a left and a right that stings Alexander.

Mcgroin instigates a clinch.
Mcgroin tries for a takedown but Alexander manages to get underhooks.
Mcgroin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Alexander tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mcgroin tries for a takedown but Alexander manages to get underhooks.
Alexander using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mcgroin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mcgroin blocks an elbow strike.

Mcgroin is trying to trip Alexander. He has hold of a leg but Alexander is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Mcgroin persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Mcgroin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mcgroin circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mcgroin counters with a one-two to the body.

Mcgroin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alexander looking to throw knees to the head but Mcgroin is blocking nicely.
Alexander throws an elbow that misses.
Mcgroin wants a takedown.
Alexander looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alexander with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Alexander is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mcgroin is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Alexander to the mat. Alexander regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mcgroin wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
Mcgroin 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.
Alexander throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Mcgroin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgroin stopping the sweep attempt from Alexander.
Alexander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alexander manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mcgroin manages to get himself to full guard.
Alexander throwing strikes but missing.
Mcgroin wants to get back to his feet but Alexander is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Alexander postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mcgroin wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexander stands up over Mcgroin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mcgroin throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mcgroin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Alexander stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Alexander wants to clinch up but Mcgroin keeps it at a distance.
Alexander moves in looking to clinch but Mcgroin pushes him off.

Mcgroin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Alexander really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mcgroin lands with some strikes.
Alexander is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alexander is working hard here to advance position.
Alexander slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mcgroin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Alexander is pressing down on Mcgroin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Alexander has his feet on Mcgroin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Mcgroin fails with the takedown.

Mcgroin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mcgroin lands in his opponent's guard.
Alexander is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Alexander has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mcgroin off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Mcgroin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alexander's guard.
Alexander is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mcgroin is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander has momentary wrist control but Mcgroin slips an elbow through the middle.
Alexander striking from the bottom here.
Alexander lands a decent punch to the body there.
Alexander is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alexander throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Mcgroin stops Alexander from standing up.
Alexander trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mcgroin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Alexander!
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!
Alexander throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
The referee warns Alexander that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Alexander bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Houston Alexander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holden Mcgroin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Alexander has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander won't allow Mcgroin to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Holden Mcgroin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mcgroin 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

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