PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hassan Holden (ranked 6113 p4p, 0 weight class) and Callam Bowers (ranked 4573 p4p, 450 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Holden
vs
Bowers

165 cm
20
214 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hassan Holden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Callam Bowers!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bowers clinches up against the cage.
Holden is trying to force a seperation but Bowers has the dominant position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

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

Bowers moves into range and clinches up with Holden.
Bowers content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Holden manages to break the clinch.
Holden could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Bowers avoids the head kick by Holden.

Bowers gets a clinch.
Holden keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bowers's efforts to push away.
Still in the clinch, Bowers scores with a nice short uppercut.
Holden looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bowers turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bowers manages to end up in side control.
Holden might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holden is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bowers has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bowers really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Holden. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Holden gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bowers tries to stand but can't do so whilst Holden controls his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Holden lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Holden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bowers trying to keep a closed guard but Holden is proving a slippery customer.
Holden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bowers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bowers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bowers pulls Holden in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden wants to stand but Bowers has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Holden drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bowers dives on top into guard.

Holden wriggles free and stands up.

Bowers gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bowers working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Holden drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bowers pulls his leg out and moves away.
Holden swings widly with a right hand
and Bowers counters with a left to the body.
Holden is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bowers misses with a leg kick

and Holden counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Holden avoiding damage as Bowers throws knees to the body.

Bowers pulls Holden into guard.
Bowers has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Let's hope that Bowers has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bowers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holden is one step ahead there.

Bowers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bowers striking off his back but it's not causing Holden any problems.
Bowers wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bowers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Holden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Holden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Holden is fighting to break Bowers's control of his arms but Bowers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Holden throws a big elbow that misses.
Bowers seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Bowers gets the takedown into side control.
Holden wants to control but Bowers postures up.
Holden is looking for a sweep.
Holden manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
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 Hassan Holden will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bowers gets a clinch.
Bowers lands with a right to the head.

Bowers jumps into guard, dragging Holden to the mat.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bowers can do anything to dispel that myth.
Holden throwing strikes but missing.
Holden is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowers has wrist control.
Holden distracts Bowers with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Bowers is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Holden is aware though and is defending well.
Holden won't allow Bowers to sweep him here.
Bowers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Holden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowers has momentary wrist control but Holden slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bowers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bowers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Holden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowers wants to sweep but no luck.
Holden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bowers wants to stand up but Holden is controlling him.
Holden lands a couple of digs.
Bowers has Holden pulled in close to control his posture.
Holden is in close to Bowers's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Holden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holden postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bowers controls Holden momentarily but Holden frees himself.
Holden chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden throwing strikes but missing.
Holden throwing strikes from guard but Bowers blocks nicely.
Bowers 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.
Holden works over Bowers with some ground and pound from guard.
Holden throwing strikes from guard but Bowers blocks nicely.
Holden scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Holden is in close to Bowers's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bowers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Holden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bowers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holden avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holden preventing the sweep.
Bowers has his hands on Holden's head, controlling the position.
Bowers looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowers, not yet.
Holden scoring with some ground and pound.
Holden landing with the ground and pound.
Holden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bowers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bowers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Holden with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bowers seems keen to control Holden's posture.
Holden postures up in Bowers's guard and throws a big left but Bowers blocks it.
Bowers controls Holden momentarily but Holden frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bowers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holden.
Holden cracks Bowers with a solid left hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Holden postures up.
Holden throwing strikes but missing.
Holden connects with a couple of short punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holden scoring with some ground and pound.
Holden landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hassan Holden dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Holden wants to land a leg kick but Bowers is out of range.

Bowers clinches up with Holden and pushes him back against the cage.
Bowers lands an uppercut.
Holden is trying to break free.
Holden is trying to break the clinch but Bowers has him pressed against the cage.
Holden has Bowers pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bowers manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Callam Bowers seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bowers.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bowers just misses with a elbow thrown towards Holden's brow.
Holden looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bowers scores with a shoulder strike.
Bowers working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Holden looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Holden is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bowers pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowers tries to break the clinch but Holden is controlling the position.
Bowers tries to break the clinch but Holden is controlling the position.
Bowers effectively controlling the action here.
Bowers lands a right hand.
Bowers scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden wants to get back to striking at distance but Bowers won't allow it.
Bowers throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holdens head.
Still in the clinch, Bowers scores with a nice short uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good body shot from Bowers.
A short uppercut from Bowers.
Holden takes a shot to the head.
Holden wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bowers has Holden pushed against the cage.
Bowers throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holdens head.
Bowers softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Bowers scores with a nice short uppercut.
Holden letting Bowers take a breather here.
Bowers stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Bowers's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Bowers lands with a short shot to the head.
Bowers taking a breather.
Holden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bowers avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hassan Holden. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Holden is trying to break the clinch but Bowers has him pressed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bowers takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bowers misses with an elbow over the top.
Bowers lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holden is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bowers throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holdens head.
Bowers lands with a light punch inside.

Bowers has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Holden uses from the top position.
Bowers looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bowers looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowers, not yet.
Holden stops Bowers from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Holden keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bowers's head.
Bowers wants to get back to his feet but Holden is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bowers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Holden throwing strikes from guard but Bowers blocks nicely.
Holden cracks Bowers with a solid left hand.
Bowers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Holden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Holden is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowers has wrist control.
Bowers looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowers, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bowers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bowers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Holden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Bowers moves into range and clinches up with Holden.
Bowers taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Bowers has picked Holden up - he's going for a ride! Bowers dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Holden pushes Bowers off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bowers rushes Holden and presses him up against the cage.
Bowers scores with a shot to the side of Holden's head.
Bowers lands an uppercut.
Holden is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bowers pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bowers jumps guard and drags Holden to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bowers looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowers, not yet.
Bowers is pulling down on Holden's head. It's preventing any offense from Holden, at least for the moment.
Callam Bowers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hassan Holden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holden is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Callam Bowers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Holden has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hassan Holden!