PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Holt Dennis (ranked 4407 p4p, 318 weight class) and Luiz Alves (ranked 3545 p4p, 278 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Luiz Alves enters the cage!

Dennis
vs
Alves

175 cm
26
155 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

167 cm
26
149 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Fast

Freebok (85% Laundry)
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Holt Dennis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luiz Alves!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dennis is defended easily by Alves.
Dennis misses with a takedown attempt

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dennis keeping moving, preventing Alves from controlling successfully.
Dennis wants to stand up but Alves is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Dennis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dennis wants to stand but Alves is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves trying to control but Dennis is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves won't allow Dennis to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dennis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holt Dennis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dennis is defended easily by Alves.
Alves misses with the combination.
Dennis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Alves tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dennis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alves somewhat.
Dennis stalks Alves and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Alves's face. Alves staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dennis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alves, pushing him back against the cage.
I was talking to Dennis's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Alves is trying to drag Dennis to the mat but Dennis just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The referee is keeping an eye on Dennis - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Alves has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Dennis is trying to keep an underhook but Alves manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Alves passes to side control.
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!
Dennis pushes Alves away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Alves gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Alves swings around for an armbar but Dennis sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Alves's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Alves holds on and takes a little breather.
Our spies down at at Shark Tank MMA inform us that Alves has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennis wants to get up but he can't break Alves's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Alves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dennis is one step ahead there.
Alves is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Dennis gets to his feet. Alves looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Dennis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Alves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dennis fails with a takedown attempt.

Dennis moves into the clinch.

Dennis breaks the clinch.

Alves gets a clinch.

Alves gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Dennis pushes Alves off and gets back to his feet.

Dennis closes the distance and clinches.
Alves changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dennis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Some wild striking there from Dennis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holt Dennis dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Alves shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dennis sprawls well. Dennis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alves gets slowly back to his feet.
Dennis swats away the attempt to clinch by Alves.
Alves shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Dennis eats them both and turns towards Alves to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Dennis has closed the distance and engaged Alves in a clinch.
Dennis manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Dennis taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alves decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alves is working an open guard so Dennis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dennis is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
Dennis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alves as he avoids it easily.
Alves wants to counter with a clinch but Dennis pushes him away.

Dennis scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Dennis decides to stand and escape the position.
Alves looks for a takedown but Dennis sprawls well.

Dennis pushes Alves up against the cage in a clinch.
Dennis stops a takedown attempt from Alves.
Holt Dennis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Alves.
Dennis stalling in the clinch.
Alves has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dennis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves can't get the takedown.

Dennis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dennis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alves can do to turn this around?
Dennis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dennis misses with a double jab.

Dennis clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dennis breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Dennis misses.
Alves feints the counter takedown.
Alves closes the distance and clinches up with Dennis, looking for a takedown. Alves pushes Dennis against the cage but Dennis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dennis uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Alves has time to react.
Alves shoots in but no luck this time.

Dennis throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Alves tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dennis is in Alves's guard.

Alves is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dennis presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Alves drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dennis pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dennis throws a head kick but Alves moves out of range.

Dennis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Alves wants to get back to his feet but Dennis passes into half guard.

Dennis decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Dennis gets a clinch.

Dennis breaks the clinch.
Dennis tries to close the distance and clinch but Alves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dennis wants to clinch up but Alves keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dennis shoots in and bounces Alves off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Alves is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dennis presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Dennis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dennis wants to clinch.

Dennis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alves jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dennis walks away with a smile on his face. Alves gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holt Dennis dominated that second round.
That's time! Dennis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

No luck for Dennis with that takedown attempt.
Dennis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dennis moves in looking to clinch but Alves pushes him off.
Dennis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Dennis shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Dennis decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dennis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alves somewhat.
Dennis throws a leg kick but Alves checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Alves as Dennis shoots in.
Alves feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holt Dennis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dennis tries to clinch there but Alves circles away.
Alves is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dennis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Dennis moves into range and clinches up with Alves.

Dennis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dennis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alves keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alves misses with the combination.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dennis enables Alves to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dennis manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Alves wants to control from the top but Dennis keeps moving.

Alves postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dennis is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alves, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alves is working an open guard so Dennis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dennis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alves as he avoids it easily.
Dennis tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alves swivels and escapes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dennis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Alves sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dennis somewhat.

Dennis gets caught napping as Alves dives in and scores a takedown. Dennis manages to retain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Dennis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Dennis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Alves off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Alves changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dennis tries to avoid it but Alves manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dennis to the ground. Dennis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dennis wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Dennis moves into the clinch.
Alves jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dennis walks away with a smile on his face. Alves gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves falls off balance throwing a combination

and Dennis counters with a shoot takedown. Alves fights it but they end up in guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Alves manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Luiz Alves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves being controlled against the cage.

Dennis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holt Dennis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alves throws a right and a left that Dennis avoids nicely.

Dennis has closed the distance and engaged Alves in a clinch.
Holt Dennis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Alves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Holt Dennis.
Well Dennis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Holt Dennis!