PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ali Issa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zander Holyfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Issa has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Zander Holyfield enters the cage!

Issa
vs
Holyfield

185 cm
23
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ali Issa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zander Holyfield!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Issa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Issa tries to clinch up but Holyfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Zander Holyfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Holyfield lands an impressive looking overhand right. Issa doesn't seem phased though.
Holyfield connects with a body shot.
Issa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Holyfield lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Issa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Issa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Holyfield catches Issa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A decent looking cross lands there for Holyfield.
Holyfield moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Issa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Holyfield works the jab nicely.
Holyfield lands with an overhand left.
A jab lands there for Holyfield.
Issa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Issa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A left lands for Holyfield.
Issa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holyfield sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Issa somewhat.
Holyfield lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Holyfield scores with a four punch combination!
A left and a right from Holyfield both land. Nice combination.
Issa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Holyfield connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Issa scrambles back to his feet.

Issa gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Issa jumps guard.

Issa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Holyfield is aware though and is defending well.
Issa is breathing heavily.
Holyfield showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Issa trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Holyfield pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Issa is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Zander Holyfield has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Issa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Holyfield scores with a sloppy right hand. Issa should have avoided that one.
Holyfield scores with a crisp jab that stopped Issa in his tracks.
Holyfield connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Issa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Holyfield counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Issa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holyfield sprawls well. Holyfield wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Issa gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Issa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holyfield lands a jab to the nose.
Holyfield lands with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Issa throws a low kick, looking for Holyfield's leg but Holyfield calmly moves out of range.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Holyfield throws out a powerful jab.
Holyfield scores with a jab to the jaw.
Issa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holyfield displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Issa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Issa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Issa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Holyfield lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zander Holyfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holyfield scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Issa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Issa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Holyfield uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Issa has time to react.
Holyfield is working the combinations to good effect here.
Holyfield scores with the left hand. Issa knows he should have avoided that one.
Holyfield lands a jab-cross combination.
Holyfield might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Issa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holyfield but Holyfield pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Holyfield with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander Holyfield dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice uppercut there from Holyfield.
Issa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Issa shoots in and drives through. Holyfield sprawls well.
Holyfield displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Holyfield throws a series of strikes that have Issa backpedaling.
Issa takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Holyfield.
Holyfield lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Holyfield stalks Issa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Issa's face. Issa staggers backwards, shaken.
Holyfield is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Issa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Issa walks into a jab.
Holyfield slips a jab and a cross from Issa.
Holyfield connects with a jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holyfield's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Holyfield duly obliges.
A punch lands to the side of Issa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Holyfield fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Issa walks into a jab.
Holyfield scores with a jab. Issa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Holyfield looks to land a combination. Issa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Issa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Holyfield lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Holyfield connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
Holyfield comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Holyfield tries to score with a low kick but Issa moves his leg out of the way.
Holyfield scores with a hook.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
Holyfield stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Holyfield connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Issa momentarily.
Issa has his takedown stuffed
and Holyfield counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Holyfield does it's job there.
Holyfield's corner calls for a 1-2. Holyfield obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Holyfield lands a right hook to the body.
Issa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holyfield catches Issa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Issa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Issa shoots for a double leg takedown but Holyfield sprawls well. He's pushed Issa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Issa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holyfield lands a head shot.
Holyfield lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Holyfield.
Holyfield works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Holyfield scores with a one two! Issa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Issa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Holyfield lands a jab-cross combination.
Issa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holyfield darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holyfield lands a nice shot that snaps Issa's head back.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Holyfield!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Holyfield, as that shot connected.
Holyfield looks to land a combination. Issa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Holyfield listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Holyfield scores with a jab to the head.
Holyfield scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Holyfield scores with a jab to the body.
Holyfield connects with a single shot there.
Holyfield lands a nice hook to Issa's body. Issa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ali Issa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holyfield with a hook.
Issa tries to clinch but Holyfield moves out of range.
Issa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Holyfield with a nice cross.
Holyfield lands a head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Holyfield.
Holyfield lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Issa backs up against the cage.
Issa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Issa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holyfield sprawls well. Holyfield wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Issa gets slowly back to his feet.
Holyfield stalks Issa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Issa's face. Issa staggers backwards, shaken.
Holyfield scores with a hook to the body. Issa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Holyfield lunges at Issa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Issa's hand.
Holyfield paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Issa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Issa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Holyfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Holyfield lands with an overhand left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander Holyfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Issa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A right-left combo lands from Holyfield.
Issa shoots in for a takedown but Holyfield shows good takedown defense.
Holyfield lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Holyfield throws a series of strikes that have Issa backpedaling.
Issa has his takedown stuffed
and Holyfield counters with a nice uppercut.
Holyfield paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Issa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Holyfield.
Holyfield is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zander Holyfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Holyfield stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Issa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holyfield scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Holyfield cracks a nice hook into Issa's ribs.
Holyfield scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Holyfield throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holyfield changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Issa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holyfield as he avoids it easily.
A jab from Holyfield does it's job there.
Issa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Holyfield's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Holyfield duly obliges.
Issa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Issa takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Holyfield feints a jab promting Issa to slip. Holyfield then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Issa slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Holyfield scores with a one two! Issa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Holyfield defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Issa.
Holyfield connects with a looping right hand.
Nice uppercut lands for Holyfield. That snapped Issa's head back.
Issa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Issa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holyfield stalks Issa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Issa's face. Issa staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Issa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Holyfield manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
A jab from Holyfield does it's job there.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Holyfield scores with a jab to the jaw.
Holyfield scores with a crisp jab that stopped Issa in his tracks.
Holyfield scores with a nice head shot.
Good exchange - Holyfield coming out on top.
Holyfield lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Holyfield lands with a hook. Issa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Holyfield closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Holyfield throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Issa looks for a takedown but Holyfield sprawls well.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield cracks Issa with a good jab.
Holyfield is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Holyfield connects with a crisp jab.
Holyfield throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Issa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Holyfield connects with a jab.
Holyfield thuds a left hand into Issa's body.
Holyfield connects with a right hand. Issa shakes it off.
Holyfield clobbers Issa with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A cross from Holyfield lands.
Holyfield keeps the fight on the outside.
Issa has a takedown stuffed.
Holyfield connects with a good right hand that stumbles Issa. Issa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Holyfield throws a good cross that connects.
Holyfield moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Holyfield stuffs the takedown.
Issa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Issa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Holyfield lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Holyfield.
Holyfield catches Issa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Holyfield lands a slapping body shot.
A jab from Holyfield does it's job there.
Issa fails with a takedown attempt.
Holyfield goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Issa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A lazy left from Holyfield finds it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zander Holyfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holyfield winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zander Holyfield!