PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chuck Liddell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Liddell
vs
Holmes

225 cm
18
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
19
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Gilop®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Chuck Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Billy Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liddell pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Holmes has closed the distance and engaged Liddell in a clinch.
Liddell prevents a takedown attempt there.
Holmes keeps control of Liddell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Holmes won't allow it.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liddell misses with a double jab

and Holmes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Holmes has Liddell pressed against the cage, preventing Liddell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Holmes won't allow it.
Liddell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Liddell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holmes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Liddell up against the cage.
Liddell tries to circle away but Holmes has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liddell has had enough of the clinch but Holmes keeps him there for the moment.
Holmes prevents Liddell from breaking the clinch.

Holmes is trying to trip Liddell. He has hold of a leg but Liddell is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Holmes persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
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.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Liddell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liddell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Holmes won't allow Liddell to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Liddell wants to stand and escape but Holmes is having none of it.
Holmes looking to pass the guard.
Holmes forces his way into half guard.
Liddell is not content to let Holmes control the position.
Holmes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Liddell defending well though.
Holmes stops Liddell from getting back to his feet.
It looks like Holmes is going to stand back up.
Liddell is refusing to be controlled, as Holmes sits in half guard.
Holmes wants to stand up but Liddell is controlling the position.
Holmes is looking to take a break and control but Liddell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Holmes stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holmes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Liddell wants to stand up but Holmes is controlling him.
Holmes trying to control but Liddell is working from the bottom.
Holmes might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Liddell kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Holmes tries to free his leg and advance position but Liddell is retaining full guard.
Holmes won't allow Liddell to get back to his feet.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Liddell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Billy Holmes.
Holmes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liddell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Liddell tries for a takedown but Holmes circles away easily

and Holmes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Holmes.
Liddell is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Liddell is looking to stand up but Holmes isn't so interested in that idea.
Liddell keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.
Holmes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Holmes stands up and waves to Liddell to follow him.

Holmes looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Liddell can't keep his opponent in guard - Holmes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ground and pound from Holmes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes lands strikes from half guard.
Holmes winds up and cracks Liddell with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Holmes is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holmes prevents Liddell from standing back up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Holmes lands a nice short elbow.
Holmes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Liddell is trying to stand.

Holmes decides to stand up.

Holmes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmes landing shots from mount.
Liddell is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Holmes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Holmes moves into the clinch successfully.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holmes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Liddell is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Liddell is trying to push Holmes away but Holmes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Holmes manages to break the clinch.
Liddell takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Liddell gets caught flat footed, as Holmes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Holmes is in close to Liddell's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Liddell is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Billy Holmes has got the better of the ground game so far.

Holmes decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Holmes closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Holmes tries for a takedown but Liddell manages to get underhooks.
Liddell tries to break free but Holmes pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from Holmes - that landed with a thud.
Holmes has Liddell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Liddell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Holmes.
The referee is keeping an eye on Holmes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Liddell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Liddell prevents a takedown attempt there.

Holmes breaks from the clinch.

Liddell gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Holmes to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Holmes tries to free his leg and advance position but Liddell is retaining full guard.
Holmes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Liddell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Liddell wants to stand but Holmes is controlling the position.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Liddell keeps moving.
Holmes's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Billy Holmes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Holmes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Liddell, pushing him back against the cage.
Liddell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Holmes gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Liddell regains guard.
Holmes passes into half guard.

Holmes decides to stand and escape the position.

Holmes has Liddell up against the cage in a clinch.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick by Liddell misses

and Holmes counters by clinching up.
Holmes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Liddell tries to break free but Holmes pushes him back against the cage.
Liddell gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Holmes.

Holmes breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holmes has Liddell up against the cage in a clinch.

Liddell is fighting off a takedown attempt but Holmes is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Liddell to the mat. Liddell regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Holmes passes Liddell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Holmes wants to control but Liddell is keeping him busy.
Liddell is trying to stand up here but Holmes is controlling him well.
Nice strikes from Holmes there.
Liddell is looking to escape.
Holmes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Holmes stops Liddell from getting back to his feet.
Holmes content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Liddell is not content to let Holmes control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Billy Holmes was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A shot to the liver by Holmes. Beautiful body shot.
Holmes pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Liddell back to the cage. Holmes follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Holmes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Liddell napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Holmes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Liddell keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Holmes decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Holmes 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! And we move into the final round!

Holmes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Holmes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liddell circles away quickly and effectively.

Holmes shoots in and gets a takedown into Liddell's guard.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Liddell keeps moving.
Holmes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Liddell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Holmes is controlling him.
Holmes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Liddell on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Liddell pushes Holmes away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Holmes gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell is not content to let Holmes control the position.
Liddell wants to get back to his feet but Holmes drags him back down.
Holmes advances to full mount.
Holmes working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Holmes landing strikes, looking to finish!
Holmes lands a big shot there that rocks Liddell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Holmes lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Holmes lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Holmes looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Holmes with shots to the head and body - Liddell looks very uncomfortable down there.
Holmes is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee warns Liddell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Holmes landing strikes from the mount.
Holmes landing strikes from the mount.
Holmes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Holmes working Liddell over with strikes here.
Holmes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Liddell looks a forlorn figure.
Holmes landing punches.
Liddell wants to get back to his feet.
Liddell taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Liddell hang on?
Holmes raining down hammerfists from mount.
Holmes dominating with strikes here.
A nice elbow there by Holmes.
Well,Liddell is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Liddell wants to try and get back to his feet.
Holmes with good strikes from the mount here!
Holmes looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell!
Holmes in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
BOOM! Holmes connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Liddell taking shots to the head.
Holmes landing punches.
Holmes scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Liddell?
Holmes working Liddell over with strikes here.
Holmes landing strikes from the mount and Liddell is in trouble!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liddell is trying to stand.
Billy Holmes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to control the pace but Liddell is squirming around nicely.
Holmes controlling his opponent.
Holmes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Liddell looks a forlorn figure.
Holmes tries to control but Liddell wriggling away.
Holmes lands a big shot there that rocks Liddell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holmes trying to control but Liddell is having none of it.
Holmes looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Holmes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holmes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight for Billy Holmes!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Billy Holmes!
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight for Billy Holmes!

Billy Holmes wins by unanimous decision!