PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Holden Caulfield (ranked 22808 p4p, 505 weight class) and George Backman (ranked 23834 p4p, 467 weight class). Caulfield comes to the cage accompanied by Comin’ thro the rye. Holden Caulfield has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Caulfield
vs
Backman

170 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
27
145 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Conviction

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Holden Caulfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Backman!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Caulfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Backman.
Backman has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Backman looks to throw the jab but Caulfield is out of range.
Caulfield throws a series of punches but Backman avoids them all with ease.
Caulfield showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Backman.
Caulfield turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Caulfield doesn't manage to clinch there - Backman circles away.
Caulfield is looking to clinch.
Backman fails to land with a series of punches.
Caulfield takes a swing at Backman's ribcage but misses.
Caulfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Caulfield definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Caulfield looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman looks to land a combination but Caulfield avoids it well.
Backman misses the shot to the body.
Caulfield slips a jab and a cross from Backman.
Backman throws a body shot but no joy.

Caulfield rushes Backman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caulfield creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Backman's defenses.
Caulfield swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Caulfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Backman takes a jab right on the kisser.
Caulfield avoids a punch combination nicely.

Caulfield moves into the clinch.
Caulfield throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Backman.
Caulfield digs a right hand into Backman's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Backman's gas tank.

Backman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Backman fails to land with a series of punches.
Caulfield lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Caulfield moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Caulfield misses with a knee strike.
Caulfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Backman uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Caulfield lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Backman.
Backman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Backman has had enough of the clinch but Caulfield keeps him there for the moment.
Caulfield swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Caulfield.
Stalling in the clinch from Caulfield.
Backman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Backman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Backman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Caulfield fails to land.
Backman tries to work over Caulfield's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Backman blocks a body shot from Caulfield.

Caulfield escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman lands a right hook to the body.
Backman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Backman misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Caulfield misses.
Caulfield fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Backman. Caulfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Backman thuds a left hand into Caulfield's body.
Backman misses with a double jab.
Caulfield tests Backman's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Caulfield clinches with his opponent.
Caulfield keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Backman's efforts to push away.

Caulfield manages to break the clinch.
Backman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Caulfield half committed to a counter leg kick.
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!
A left lands for Backman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Backman.
Backman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Caulfield rather than just go for the knockout.
Backman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Caulfield fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Backman.
Caulfield uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Backman has time to react.
Caulfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.
Caulfield is looking to clinch but Backman is avoiding it.
Caulfield misses with a jab, cross combination.
Backman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Caulfield. Caulfield obviously looking to wear him down.
Holden Caulfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backman lands a slapping body shot.
Caulfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.
Backman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Backman does no damage.
Backman swings for the body but Caulfield moves out of range.
Backman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Backman fails to land with a series of punches.
A slapping leg kick lands for Caulfield.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Holden Caulfield will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Backman takes a swing at Caulfield's ribcage but misses.

Caulfield gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Caulfield lands a nice uppercut.

Caulfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Caulfield lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Backman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Backman takes a kick to the side of the head.
Backman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Backman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Backman throws a series of punches but Caulfield moves out of range.
Backman paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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!
Caulfield avoids the body shot from Backman.
Holden Caulfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Caulfield's corner calls for a 1-2. Caulfield obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Backman jabs Caulfield to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Backman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Backman. Caulfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Backman sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman misses with an uppercut. Caulfield saw that one coming.
Caulfield comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Caulfield connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice body punch from Backman.
Backman uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Caulfield.
Caulfield is looking to clinch.
Backman tries to bum rush Caulfield with a series of wild strikes but Caulfield uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Caulfield moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Caulfield lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Caulfield feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Backman's calf.
Good leg kick by Caulfield there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Caulfield tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Backman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Backman with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Caulfield to score with a decent uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Caulfield doesn't manage to clinch there - Backman circles away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Caulfield.
Caulfield lands a leg kick that knocks Backman off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Caulfield throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Backman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Caulfield.
George Backman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Caulfield misses with a looping right.
Some wild striking there from Backman.
Backman misses with a two punch combination.

Caulfield moves into the clinch.

Caulfield breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Backman on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Backman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Caulfield takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Caulfield tries to clinch but Backman moves out of range.
Backman fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Backman has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Backman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Caulfield.
Backman throws a series of strikes that have Caulfield backpedaling.
Backman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Caulfield connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Backman scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman misses the jab.
Caulfield tries to clinch up but Backman circles away and keeps his distance.
Caulfield throws a series of punches but Backman avoids them all with ease.
Backman doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Backman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Backman throws a body shot but no joy.
Backman looks to score with a jab to the body but Caulfield is just out of range.
Caulfield throws a combination. Backman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Caulfield lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Backman backs up against the cage.
Backman tries to move into range but Caulfield moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Caulfield lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Caulfield dips to his left and cracks Backman with an uppercut!
Caulfield fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Caulfield loads up on a big right hand but Backman slips the punch.
Backman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Backman lands a jab-cross combination.
Backman misses the shot to the body.
Backman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Caulfield finds it's way through Backman's defenses.
Caulfield closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Caulfield scores with a leg kick.
Caulfield misses with a double jab.
Backman scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Caulfield lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Backman fails to land with a series of punches.
Backman takes one to the chin there.
Caulfield dodges the punch combination from Backman.
Caulfield feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Caulfield tries to bum rush Backman with a series of wild strikes but Backman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Caulfield keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Backman misses with the combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Caulfield circles away quickly and effectively.
Caulfield throws a right and a left that both miss.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Backman! But no joy.
Caulfield thumps Backman with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Caulfield dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Caulfield swings widly with a right hand

and Backman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Backman working hard to break the clinch.

Caulfield manages to break the clinch.
Caulfield misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Backman unleashes a big counter combination but Caulfield bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Some wild striking there from Caulfield.
As Caulfield backs off Backman throws a huge counter combo but Caulfield manages to avoid it all.
Caulfield tries to clinch but Backman is having none of it.
Backman with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Caulfield is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice side step and Backman releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
An inside leg kick lands from Caulfield.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman looks to land a combination but Caulfield avoids it well.
Caulfield tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Backman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A big right from Caulfield misses.
Caulfield ducks under a wild hook from Backman.
Backman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Caulfield.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caulfield misses with the combination.
Backman throws a body shot but no joy.
Caulfield throws a big counter combination but Backman scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Backman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Caulfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Backman.
Caulfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Backman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Caulfield is looking to slow Backman down with leg kicks.
Left hook, right uppercut from Caulfield.
Backman tries to bum rush Caulfield with a series of wild strikes but Caulfield uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Backman has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Backman there as he acknowledges the shot.
Caulfield misses with a double jab.
Backman circles away from the clinch attempt
and Backman counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Caulfield misses with the combination.
Caulfield is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Caulfield looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Caulfield lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Backman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Some wild striking there from Backman.
Backman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Caulfield connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Backman scrambles back to his feet.
Caulfield misses with the combination.
The fighters circling - Backman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Backman throws a combination. Caulfield tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Backman moves out of range as Caulfield throws a body kick.
Backman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A combination from Backman does no damage.
Backman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Caulfield throwing a counter right hand but Backman manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caulfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Backman.
Backman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Caulfield stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Caulfield tries to clinch up.
Backman throws a series of punches but Caulfield avoids them all with ease.
Caulfield lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Backman misses.
Backman just misses with a punch to the body.
Caulfield is looking to clinch but Backman is avoiding it.
Caulfield misses with a combination

and Backman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Caulfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Caulfield dodges the punch combination from Backman.
A good leg kick by Caulfield.
Caulfield throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Backman has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Backman throws a nice looking combination but Caulfield bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Caulfield is looking for a counter combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Backman. Caulfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Caulfield comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Caulfield lands with a kick to the ribs.
Backman swings widly with a right hand
and Caulfield counters with a slapping leg kick.
Caulfield lands with a cross.
Backman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some wild striking there from Caulfield.
Backman lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Caulfield moves into the clinch.
Caulfield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Caulfield breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
George Backman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holden Caulfield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Backman takes a swing at Caulfield's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George Backman.
Well Caulfield 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

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