PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between DeShaun Dupree Holton (ranked 1716 p4p, 3044 weight class) and Fernand Legrand (ranked 247 p4p, 408 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.

Dupree Holton
vs
Legrand

190 cm
23
215
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
29
212
5 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Powerful

Furnace Performance 🔥

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeShaun Dupree Holton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fernand Legrand!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Legrand closes the distance and pushes Dupree Holton back into the cage.
Dupree Holton keeps control of Legrand as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dupree Holton is trying to drag Legrand to the mat but Legrand just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Legrand breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dupree Holton shoots in but Legrand avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dupree Holton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Legrand counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DeShaun Dupree Holton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dupree Holton is defended easily by Legrand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dupree Holton checks a low kick from Legrand.
Dupree Holton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A nice leg kick from Legrand, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legrand misses with a low kick.
Legrand misses with a low kick as Dupree Holton jumps back.

Legrand moves into the clinch successfully.
Dupree Holton is trying to pull guard but Legrand turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Dupree Holton pulls guard effortlessly.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Legrand trying to control but Dupree Holton is working from the bottom.
Legrand being controlled here momentarily.
Dupree Holton keeping full guard, as Legrand tries to pass.
Legrand trying to stand up but can't free himself from Dupree Holton's guard.
Dupree Holton is pulling down on Legrand's head to control his posture.
Legrand wants to stand but Dupree Holton has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Legrand must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dupree Holton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dupree Holton keeping moving, preventing Legrand from controlling successfully.
Dupree Holton pulls Legrand in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dupree Holton tries for a takedown but Legrand sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And Legrand tries to counter it with a takedown but Dupree Holton pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Dupree Holton shoots in and gets a takedown into Legrand's guard.
Dupree Holton wants to pass the guard but Legrand is keeping the position.
Dupree Holton prevents Legrand from getting back to his feet.
Dupree Holton sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Legrand had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dupree Holton defends it easily.
Legrand keeping moving, preventing Dupree Holton from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at Thunder Gym inform us that Legrand 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.
Dupree Holton controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Legrand is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dupree Holton is controlling him.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Legrand keeping moving, preventing Dupree Holton from controlling successfully.
Dupree Holton stopping the sweep attempt from Legrand.
Legrand keeping full guard, as Dupree Holton tries to pass.
Dupree Holton passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dupree Holton trying to control the position but Legrand is working away.
Legrand tries to escape but Dupree Holton is in control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Legrand is trying to get back to half guard.
Dupree Holton trying to control the position but Legrand is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dupree Holton is staying tight to Legrand's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Legrand is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee asks Dupree Holton politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dupree Holton prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dupree Holton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Legrand keeps working.

Dupree Holton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Legrand has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dupree Holton wants to control but Legrand is keeping him busy.
Legrand struggling a bit here.
Legrand is not content to let Dupree Holton control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Legrand tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fernand Legrand dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dupree Holton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Dupree Holton drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Dupree Holton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dupree Holton controlling the position from side mount.
Legrand is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dupree Holton prevents Legrand from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dupree Holton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dupree Holton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Legrand is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dupree Holton asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Dupree Holton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legrand is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dupree Holton asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dupree Holton wants to control but Legrand is keeping him busy.
Legrand tries to improve position but can't.

Dupree Holton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dupree Holton wants to control but Legrand is keeping him busy.

Dupree Holton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Legrand has escaped the position, nice work there.
Legrand is trying to get back to half guard.

Dupree Holton working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legrand pushes Dupree Holton away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dupree Holton gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Dupree Holton is trying to get an arm triangle but Legrand is defending well.
Dupree Holton is looking to take a break and control but Legrand is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Legrand is pushing Dupree Holton's head away, looking to escape. Dupree Holton manages to hold on to the position though.

Dupree Holton tries for a kimura but Legrand is defending well.
Legrand is looking to reverse the position.
Dupree Holton trying to control the action but Legrand is working from the bottom.

Dupree Holton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Legrand, who protects the arm well.
Dupree Holton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Legrand keeps working.
DeShaun Dupree Holton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dupree Holton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Legrand, who protects the arm well.
Legrand tries to buck Dupree Holton off but Dupree Holton is having none of it.
Legrand is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Legrand tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dupree Holton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dupree Holton working away.
Legrand is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Dupree Holton is controlling him well.
Dupree Holton wants to control but Legrand is keeping him busy.
Legrand tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dupree Holton is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Legrand will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Legrand tries to bench press Dupree Holton off him but Dupree Holton keeps the position.
Dupree Holton working away.
Legrand wants to get back to his feet but Dupree Holton drags him back down.

Dupree Holton tries for a kimura but Legrand is defending well.
Legrand tries to bench press Dupree Holton off him but Dupree Holton keeps the position.
The referee asks Dupree Holton politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dupree Holton prefers to stall for the moment though.
Legrand is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Legrand being controlled for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Legrand tries to improve position but can't.

Dupree Holton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Legrand, who protects the arm well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

DeShaun Dupree Holton dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Dupree Holton shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dupree Holton was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Dupree Holton taking a breather here.

Legrand throws Dupree Holton to one side and escapes!
Legrand leaves Dupree Holton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dupree Holton tries to keep at a distance but Legrand has taken the fight into the clinch.
Legrand controlling the action here for a moment.

Dupree Holton gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dupree Holton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Legrand wants to improve his position but Dupree Holton is controlling well.
Legrand trying to control but Dupree Holton postures up.
Legrand makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Legrand.
Dupree Holton slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Dupree Holton passes Legrand's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Legrand is trying to stand.
Legrand is looking to control Dupree Holton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Legrand avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legrand is trying to get back to full guard.
Legrand is trying to stand back up but Dupree Holton is controlling him
Dupree Holton keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Dupree Holton wants to pass to mount but Legrand is defending the position.
Dupree Holton is controlling the pace.
Legrand wants to get back to his feet.
Dupree Holton trying to pass the guard but Legrand defending well.
Dupree Holton is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Legrand!
Legrand is wriggling around trying to escape.
Dupree Holton moves to the back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dupree Holton working for the choke.
Legrand is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Dupree Holton keeps control of the position as Legrand tries to break free.

Legrand fending off the submission attempt from Dupree Holton.

Dupree Holton is looking for the choke from the back position but Legrand is controlling his hands well.
Dupree Holton slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Legrand is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Dupree Holton off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Dupree Holton seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Legrand for as long as he can get away with.
Dupree Holton has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Dupree Holton has the hooks in. Legrand is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dupree Holton is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Legrand is trying to stand back up.
Dupree Holton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Legrand can do to turn this around?
Dupree Holton doesn't have the hooks in and Legrand manages to turn into his guard.
Legrand throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dupree Holton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Legrand wants to pass the guard but Dupree Holton is keeping the position.
Legrand tries to stand but Dupree Holton is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
DeShaun Dupree Holton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dupree Holton 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DeShaun Dupree Holton!
DeShaun Dupree Holton thanked the fans post fight for their support.