PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shingoke Shoryu (ranked 7467 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yrang Holko (ranked 6007 p4p, 0 weight class). Shoryu's entrance music is Soothsayer. A fine choice. Shingoke Shoryu looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Shoryu
vs
Holko

167 cm
26
160 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shingoke Shoryu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Yrang Holko!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holko throws a leg kick but Shoryu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shoryu is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Holko.
Shoryu looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Holko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Shoryu clinches up with Holko and pushes him back against the cage.
Holko digs a right hand into Shoryu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shoryu's gas tank.
Holko pushes off an throws an elbow but Shoryu leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Shoryu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Holko tries to break free but Shoryu pushes him back against the cage.
Holko is trying to push Shoryu away but Shoryu has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shoryu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holko is defending well for now.
Holko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shoryu is defending well for now.
Holko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Holko trying to land knees to the body.
Shoryu lands with a short shot to the head.

Shoryu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holko cracks Shoryu with an open hand slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holko throws a leg kick but Shoryu checks it.

Holko moves into range and clinches up with Shoryu.
Shoryu blocks a body shot from Holko.
Holko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Shoryu avoids a wild elbow strike from Holko.
Holko lands with a right to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Holko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Holko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Holko trying to land knees to the body.
Holko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shoryu avoids it.
Holko has had enough of the clinch but Shoryu keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nice body punch from Holko - that landed with a thud.
Holko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Holko lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Holko as the two fighters clinch.
Holko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A body shot lands from Holko.
A right hook to the body lands for Holko.
Holko avoiding damage.
Shoryu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Holko scores with a hook to the body.
Holko lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holko.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Good body shot from Holko.
Holko tries to work over Shoryu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Holko lands a body shot.
Holko leaning his opponent against the cage.
Holko missing with knees to the body.
Holko lands a nice shot to the body.
Holko digs a right hand underneath Shoryu's ribcage. Shoryu let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Holko.
Holko is struggling to control the position.
Holko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Holko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Holko's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Shoryu pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shoryu blocks it with crossed arms.
Holko tries to circle away but Shoryu has him pinned against the cage.
Holko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shoryu taking a breather.
Shoryu wants to break free but Holko has control.
Holko avoiding damage.
Holko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A hook to the body from Holko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holko digs a right hand underneath Shoryu's ribcage. Shoryu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Holko has Shoryu pushed against the cage.
Shoryu taking a breather.
A right handed body shot lands from Holko.
Shoryu wants to break free but Holko has control.
Holko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shoryu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Holko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Holko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holko is pushing Shoryu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
We've been informed that Holko has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Shoryu blocks the elbow strike.
Holko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yrang Holko dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Holko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shoryu keeps control of Holko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A left hand lands to the body for Holko.
Shoryu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shoryu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Holko wants to get back to striking at distance but Shoryu won't allow it.
Shoryu is trying to stall.
Holko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shoryu just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shoryu prevents Holko from breaking the clinch.
Holko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Holko cracks Shoryu with a nice body shot.
Yrang Holko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shoryu is trying to maintain a safe position but Holko gets an underhook and turns Shoryu into the cage.
Holko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A body shot lands from Holko.
Holko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Holko breaks from the clinch.
Holko shoots in and drives through. Shoryu sprawls well.
A left and a right from Holko both land. Nice combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holko tries for a takedown but Shoryu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shoryu is looking to counter the offense by Holko and move into the clinch.
Shingoke Shoryu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yrang Holko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Holko duly obliges.
Holko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Holko stalks Shoryu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shoryu's face. Shoryu staggers backwards, shaken.
Holko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Holko takes the fight into the clinch.
Holko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Holko has Shoryu pressed against the cage.
Holko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shoryu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holko is working Shoryu over against the cage.
Holko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shoryu is trying to maintain a safe position but Holko gets an underhook and turns Shoryu into the cage.
Holko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Holko just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shoryu's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holko looking to throw knees to the head but Shoryu is blocking nicely.
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!
Holko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Holko stalling the fight.
Shoryu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shoryu is trying to break free.
Holko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Holko wants a takedown.
Shoryu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holko is keeping busy.
Shoryu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holko's elbow.
Holko is leaning against Shoryu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Shoryu avoids a wild elbow strike from Holko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holko as Shoryu tries to tie him up.
Holko has had enough of the clinch but Shoryu keeps him there for the moment.
A body shot lands from Holko.
A frustrated look appears on Holko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holko lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shoryu wants to stall.
Holko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Holko just leaning against Shoryu, taking a breather.
Shoryu throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shoryu is trying to maintain a safe position but Holko gets an underhook and turns Shoryu into the cage.
Holko tries to circle away but Shoryu has him pinned against the cage.
Holko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from Holko - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Holko is pushing Shoryu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Holko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A right handed body shot lands from Holko.
Holko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Shoryu tries to stall but Holko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Good body shot from Holko.
Holko tries to circle away but Shoryu has him pinned against the cage.
Holko is looking to break free of the clinch but Shoryu has double underhooks.
A right handed body shot lands from Holko.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holko misses with a knee to the head.
Holko misses with a knee strike.
Holko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yrang Holko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Holko clinches.
Holko pushes Shoryu back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A bit of stalling here from Holko.
Holko working hard to break the clinch.
Holko tries a knee to the head but Shoryu blocks it.
Shoryu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Holko tries to circle away but Shoryu has him pinned against the cage.
Holko stalling against the cage.
Holko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Holko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Shoryu tries to stall but Holko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still in the clinch, Holko scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Holko.
Holko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holko lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holko cracks Shoryu with a nice body shot.
Holko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Holko stalling the fight.
Shoryu blocks the elbow strike.
Holko is trying to drag Shoryu to the mat but Shoryu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shoryu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holko avoids it.
Nice body punch from Holko - that landed with a thud.
Holko scores with a hook to the body.
Shoryu keeps control of Holko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holko trying to land knees to the body.
Holko lands a shot to the body.
Holko pushes Shoryu back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Holko managing to block the knees to the body from Shoryu.
Holko stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Shoryu up against the cage.
Holko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shoryu is defending well for now.
Holko is leaning against Shoryu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Holko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Holko tries to land knees in the clinch but Shoryu avoids the damage to the body.
Holko cracks Shoryu with a nice body shot.
Shoryu has Holko pressed against the cage, preventing Holko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Holko can't find room to land a body shot as Shoryu controls the action.
Holko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shoryu.
Shoryu taking a breather.
Holko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Holko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Holko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holko as Shoryu tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoryu keeps control of Holko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holko wants to get back to striking at distance but Shoryu won't allow it.
Shoryu keeps control of Holko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A left hand lands to the body for Holko.
Holko lands a body punch.
Holko pushes Shoryu back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shoryu looking to stall.
Holko misses with an elbow strike.
Holko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shoryu is defending well for now.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Holko as Shoryu tries to tie him up.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Holko just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shoryu's brow.
Holko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shoryu avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Holko.
Holko digs a right hand underneath Shoryu's ribcage. Shoryu let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shoryu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shingoke Shoryu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yrang Holko.
Shoryu managing to block the knees to the body from Holko.
Shoryu pressing his opponent against the cage.
Holko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holko has Shoryu pushed against the cage.
Shoryu tries to circle away but Holko has him pinned against the cage.
Holko controlling the action here for a moment.
Holko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yrang Holko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shoryu is trying to break the clinch but Holko is controlling him.
Holko is trying to break the clinch but Shoryu has him pressed against the cage.
Shingoke Shoryu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shoryu or not.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yrang Holko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yrang Holko!