PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marlo Froch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Holyfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Froch kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Can't be touched. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Froch
vs
Holyfield

176 cm
28
166 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

181 cm
25
169 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Powerful

Milwaukee's Best 160 - $89

PWNAGE™ $8 - $20 Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marlo Froch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nate Holyfield!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holyfield throws a low kick, looking for Froch's leg but Froch calmly moves out of range.
Holyfield lunges at Froch with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Froch's hand.
Holyfield misses with the combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Froch. That snapped Holyfield's head back.
Holyfield doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Froch counters with a solid body kick.
Holyfield jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Froch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Holyfield moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Holyfield showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Froch.
Holyfield shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Froch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holyfield.
Marlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Holyfield.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Froch counters with a low kick, right behind Holyfield 's knee.
Holyfield takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Holyfield dives in and scores a takedown into Froch's guard.
Froch is looking to stand up but Holyfield isn't so interested in that idea.
Holyfield trying to control but Froch is working from the bottom.
Froch looking for a sweep. Not yet Froch, not yet.
Froch pulls Holyfield in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Holyfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Marlo Froch wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Holyfield shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Froch pinned against the cage. Froch gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Holyfield gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Froch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Holyfield tries for a takedown but Froch circles away easily
and Froch counters with a slapping leg kick.
Froch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holyfield manages to avoid it.
Froch misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch throws a sloppy head kick and Holyfield moves out of range easily.
Froch moves out of range as Holyfield strikes.
Holyfield has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Froch throws a series of punches but Holyfield moves out of range.
Froch is looking to chop away at Holyfield's legs.
A big left from Froch misses.
Holyfield lands a jab.
Froch falls off balance throwing a combination
and Holyfield cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Froch takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Holyfield thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Holyfield misses with a lunging right hand
and Froch counters with a stiff right hand.
Froch misses with a low kick.
Froch throws a left and a right that both miss
and Holyfield counters with a nice body shot.
Holyfield shoots in for a takedown but Froch shows good takedown defense.
Holyfield avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Froch just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Froch misses.
Froch looks to score with a jab to the body but Holyfield is just out of range.
Holyfield misses with an uppercut.
Holyfield has a takedown stuffed.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Froch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marlo Froch 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.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holyfield is defended easily by Froch.
Froch lands a really nice looking cross but Holyfield seems unphased.
Froch slips a straight right by Holyfield.
Holyfield doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Froch counters with a nice body shot.
Holyfield throws a leg kick but Froch sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Froch buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Holyfield shoots in for a double leg but Froch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Holyfield.
Froch walks forward, straight into a front kick from Holyfield.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Holyfield misses with a left hand
and Holyfield takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Froch finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Holyfield gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Froch.
Holyfield blocks a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Froch as Holyfield shoots in.
Froch with a hook.

Froch clinches up with Holyfield and pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holyfield.
Froch scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holyfield has a couple of punches blocked by Froch.
Holyfield is trying to drag Froch to the mat but Froch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Holyfield is breathing heavily.
Holyfield stalling in the clinch but Froch improves position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Froch has double underhooks.

Froch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holyfield misses with a lunging right hand
and Holyfield takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A clash of legs there as Holyfield blocks the low kick.
Holyfield misses with an uppercut.
Holyfield tries for a takedown but Froch sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Froch scores with a leg kick.
Froch throws a shot to the body.
Holyfield misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Froch.
Holyfield blocks a head kick by Froch.
Holyfield is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Froch.
Holyfield misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Froch counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Froch.
Nice body punch from Froch.
Froch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holyfield takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Holyfield on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Froch lands with a straight right. Holyfield didn't see that one coming.
Good leg kick by Froch there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Holyfield throws out a leg kick but Froch moves out of range and Holyfield only half commits.
Marlo Froch is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick misses from Froch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Froch counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Holyfield takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Froch throws a combination that misses
and Holyfield counters with a body kick that stops Froch in his tracks momentarily.
Holyfield takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Froch feints a jab promting Holyfield to slip. Froch then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Holyfield slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Froch changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holyfield blocks a jab.
Good shot there by Froch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marlo Froch dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice cross by Froch.
Froch doesn't manage to clinch there - Holyfield circles away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Holyfield crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Froch - the referee stops the clock and Holyfield gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Froch. Holyfield manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Holyfield fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Froch sprawls well initially but Holyfield persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Froch is trying to stand.
Holyfield is trying to control the action in half guard but Froch is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Froch tries to kick Holyfield off but Holyfield keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Holyfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Froch gets back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Froch wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Froch wants to stand up but Holyfield is controlling him.
Froch keeping moving, preventing Holyfield from controlling successfully.
Holyfield wants to pass the guard but Froch is keeping the position.
Froch wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Froch keeping moving, preventing Holyfield from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holyfield.

That's two 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.
Holyfield moves forwards but Froch connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Holyfield tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Froch swivels and escapes.
Froch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holyfield throws a body punch but Froch moves out of range.
Holyfield sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Holyfield misses with a takedown

and Froch holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Marlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Holyfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Froch breaks from the clinch.
Holyfield throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Froch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Froch scores with a nice right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Froch scores with a four punch combination!
A nice leg kick lands there from Holyfield.
Holyfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Froch.
Holyfield tries a head kick but it misses.
Froch chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Froch is looking to slow Holyfield down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Froch counters with a nice uppercut.
Froch misses with a wild combination.
Holyfield misses with a right hand
and Froch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Froch throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Marlo Froch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holyfield throws a body kick the misses
and Froch counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Holyfield thinking.
Froch scores with a shot to the body.
Good exchange - Froch coming out on top.
Froch throws a low kick but it's checked well by Holyfield.
Froch pushes Holyfield away with a front kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Froch explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marlo Froch clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Froch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Froch moves into range and connects with a jab.
Holyfield fails with the takedown
enabling Froch to counter with a crisp jab.
Froch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Holyfield backs up against the cage.
Froch thows a body kick. Holyfield tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Froch misses with a two punch combination.
Froch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Holyfield has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Froch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Froch.
Holyfield is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Holyfield keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Froch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Froch with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Froch looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Holyfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Froch throws a shot to the body.
Froch scores with a crisp jab that stopped Holyfield in his tracks.
Froch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holyfield can do to turn this around?
Holyfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Froch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Froch goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jab by Froch.
Froch connects with a right hand. Holyfield shakes it off.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Froch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Holyfield takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Froch throws a nice head kick!
Marlo Froch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Froch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Holyfield fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Froch has closed the distance and engaged Holyfield in a clinch.
Holyfield wants a takedown but no success here.
Marlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Holyfield.
Froch has Holyfield pressed against the cage, preventing Holyfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Froch stalling.
Froch scores with a shoulder strike.
Froch lands an uppercut.
Froch lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Froch gets through Holyfield's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Froch breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch connects with an inside leg kick.
Froch 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 changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Froch tries to avoid it but Holyfield manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Froch to the ground. Froch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice cross by Froch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Froch.
Froch connects with a crisp jab.
A left and a right from Froch both land. Nice combination.
A low kick from Holyfield is predictable there
and Froch counters with a low kick, right behind Holyfield 's knee.
Froch misses the shot to the body.
Froch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Froch misses with a wild body shot.
Froch throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Froch lands a slapping body shot.
Froch chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Holyfield rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Froch makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Froch throws a head kick that half lands.
Holyfield tries to land a body kick
and Froch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holyfield is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Froch.
Froch paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marlo Froch had his way with Nate Holyfield in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Holyfield shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Froch manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Froch trying to control the position.

Holyfield postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Froch is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Holyfield, into his guard.

Holyfield working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Froch has passed into half guard!
Holyfield is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Froch wants to stand up but Holyfield is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield tries to roll over but Froch keeps him under control.

Holyfield looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Froch pushes past his half guard into mount!
Froch takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Holyfield is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Froch sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two 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.
Froch has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Nate Holyfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marlo Froch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holyfield is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch content just to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Marlo Froch just wasn't active enough.
Holyfield misses with a double jab
and Froch counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Froch scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Froch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holyfield misses with a kick to the body.
Holyfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Froch moves away.

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 uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Froch.
Holyfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holyfield keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Froch misses with a body shot.
Holyfield shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Froch defends it nicely.
Froch throws a nice looking combination but Holyfield bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Froch scores with a push kick.
Froch pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Holyfield back to the cage. Froch follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marlo Froch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Froch, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 50:43
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:43
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marlo Froch!
Marlo Froch retains his lightweight title!