PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Broph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Hollister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Broph
vs
Hollister

190 cm
19
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
216 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Broph!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Henry Hollister!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Broph will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Hollister shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hollister showed some decent athleticism there.
Broph is trying to control but can't.
Broph throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Broph moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Broph looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Broph looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Broph is pulling down on Hollister's head to control his posture.
Hollister trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Broph looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hollister is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broph trying to control the position.
Broph pulls Hollister in close to prevent any damage.
Broph manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Broph controlling from mount.
Broph breaks from Hollister's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Broph tries to control but Hollister wriggling away.
Broph looking to control and managing it successfully.

Broph is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hollister is surviving well by controlling Broph's body position as best he can.

Broph has control of Hollister's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hollister regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Broph sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broph fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hollister wants to control but Broph is having none of it.
Broph content just to control the position here.
Broph avoids the attempt from Hollister to control.
Broph has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hollister's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Broph looking to control but Hollister is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Broph lands a big elbow.

Broph swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hollister is now in Broph's guard. A big mistake from Broph there, giving up the dominant position!
Broph is pulling down on Hollister's head to control his posture.
Hollister looks gassed!

Broph throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Broph is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Broph dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Broph closes the distance and clinches.

Broph jumps into guard, dragging Hollister to the mat.
Hollister wants to control from the top but Broph keeps moving.
Broph wants to stand up but Hollister is controlling him.
Broph controls Hollister momentarily but Hollister frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Broph pulls Hollister in close to his closed guard and prevents Hollister from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hollister trying to control but Broph is working from the bottom.
Hollister is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hollister won't allow Broph to sweep him here.
Hollister tries to free his leg and advance position but Broph is retaining full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hollister steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Broph.
Broph stuffs the takedown attempt from Hollister. Hollister gets slowly back to his feet.
Broph misses with the combination.
Broph connects with a right hand. Hollister shakes it off.
Hollister takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Broph fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hollister sprawls well initially but Broph persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hollister avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Broph.
Broph content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Broph is nestled in close to Hollister, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Broph is trying to control. Hollister wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Broph passes to full mount!
Broph controlling the position easily from mount.
Broph postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hollister looks a forlorn figure.
Broph scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Broph cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hollister is bucking up trying to escape but Broph cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Broph pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Broph looking to control and managing it successfully.
Broph looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Broph has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hollister's face.
Broph working Hollister over with strikes here.
Broph landing shots from mount.
Hollister is looking to improve his position but Broph isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broph tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Broph wants to control the pace but Hollister is squirming around nicely.
Broph sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Broph lands with some strikes.
Broph putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Broph dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Broph closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hollister takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Broph tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Broph advances to full mount.
Broph looking to control and managing it successfully.
Broph working the ground and pound effectively.
Hollister takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Broph looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Broph goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Hollister turns into him and now he's in Broph's guard.

Broph working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hollister doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hollister manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hollister wants to control from the top but Broph keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Broph looking for a sweep. Not yet Broph, not yet.
Broph controls Hollister momentarily but Hollister frees himself.
Hollister stopping the sweep attempt from Broph.
Hollister passes Broph's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Broph looking for submissions off his back.
Hollister content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broph trying to control but Hollister postures up.

Broph looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Broph is pressing down on Hollister's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hollister trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Broph is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Broph thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Broph here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Hollister working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Broph accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Broph slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Broph thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Broph throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Broph clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Good standup being displayed there by Broph as he connects with a hook.
Broph throws a series of punches but Hollister moves out of range.
Broph looks to land a right hand but Hollister moved out of range.
Broph throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Broph throws a leg kick but Hollister checks it.
Hollister closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hollister misses with a takedown
and Broph counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Broph misses with a looping right.
Broph moves in looking to clinch but Hollister pushes him off.
Hollister takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Broph shoots in and bounces Hollister off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hollister keeping moving, preventing Broph from controlling successfully.
Hollister is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Broph is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broph trying to control but Hollister is working from the bottom.
Broph content to stall in guard here.
Craig Broph overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Broph's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Broph pushes down on Hollister's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Broph scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Broph is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hollister sees it coming and defends easily.
Broph not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Broph trying to control the action but Hollister is working from the bottom.
Broph working over Hollister with some ground and pound. Hollister looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Broph wants to free his trapped foot but Hollister is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Broph looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Broph is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Broph in particular looking to stall.
Broph takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hollister avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Broph.
Broph missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Broph prevents Hollister from improving his position.
Broph trying to control from half guard but Hollister is working away.
Broph slows the pace down in half guard.
Broph not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Broph perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hollister has hold of Broph's hands but Broph slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Broph scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Broph is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Broph had his way with Henry Hollister in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Broph throws a looping overhand right but Hollister ducks down to avoid it.
Broph misses the shot to the body.
Hollister fails with the takedown
letting Broph counter with a right hand.
Broph throws a big shot that misses.
Hollister has his takedown stuffed

and Broph counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Broph is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hollister on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Broph is trying to control the action in half guard but Hollister is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hollister is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broph is pressing down on Hollister's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hollister is holding on for now.
Broph throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Broph lands with a punch from half guard.
Broph is taking a breather. Hollister says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Broph trying to mount his opponent but Hollister defends it.

Broph is trying to work for a kimura but Hollister is defending well.
Broph is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hollister is trying to get back to full guard.
Broph is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hollister!
Broph with good strikes from the mount here!
Broph punishing his opponent with strikes.
Broph lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hollister wants to control but Broph is having none of it.
Broph postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hollister looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Broph has hold of Hollister's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hollister manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Broph scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Broph is working for a guillotine from mount but Hollister frees his head quite easily.
Broph looking to control but Hollister is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Broph tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

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.
Broph connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The referee warns Hollister that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hollister bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Hollister pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Broph is keeping the position for now.
Craig Broph is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Broph has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hollister can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Broph throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Broph showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Broph 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 50:44
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:44
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Broph!
Craig Broph retains his light heavyweight title!